How to Replace a Ceramic Cartridge 💧 Dripping Tap Fix

Roger shows you how to replace a ceramic tap valve cartridge.
Replacement Brass Ceramic Cartridge
🛒 amzn.to/3y77SFk
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Things to consider when Replacing a Ceramic tap Cartridge
Replacing a ceramic tap cartridge is a common home maintenance task that can improve the function of your faucet and stop leaks. Most DIY enthusiasts can typically complete this project, but several important considerations must be made to ensure the process goes smoothly and effectively.
1. Identifying the Correct Cartridge: The first and most crucial step is identifying the correct replacement cartridge. Ceramic cartridges vary in shape, size, and notches, so it’s important to ensure the new one matches the old one. If possible, take the old cartridge to a hardware store to compare and ensure a perfect fit.
2. Turning Off the Water Supply: Before starting any work, turn off the water supply to the tap. This is typically done at the shut-off valves under the sink. Turning off the water will prevent any accidental flooding or water damage.
3. Tools and Materials Needed: Gather all necessary tools and materials before beginning the replacement. Typically, you'll need an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver, and possibly pliers. It's also a good idea to have some plumber's grease on hand to lubricate the new cartridge, which can facilitate smoother operation and help prevent future leaks.
4. Removing the Old Cartridge: Carefully disassemble the tap, often starting by removing the handle and cover. The cartridge is usually secured with a retaining nut, which needs to be unscrewed. Please keep track of all parts and their assembly order; taking photos during disassembly can help.
5. Installing the New Cartridge: Once the old cartridge is removed, it's an excellent opportunity to clean the inside of the tap and check for any debris or damage. Apply a small amount of plumber's grease to the new cartridge before installation. Insert the new cartridge to align correctly with any notches or grooves.
6. Reassembly and Testing: After the new cartridge is in place, reassemble the tap in reverse order. Once everything is tightened and back in place, turn the water supply back on and test the tap for proper operation to ensure no leaks.
By paying attention to these details, you can successfully replace a ceramic tap cartridge, ensuring a well-functioning, leak-free faucet.
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#Plumbing #DIY #howto
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[@barkershill]

Having to fix a kitchen tap for the first time and just watched about six vids on the subject . This is by far the best!

[@jazzman1626]

Excellent. I have the exact same tap in my kitchen! The last time we had a dripping tap, it was a washer. This is the first time I’ve had one with a cartridge. Update: Our cold water was dripping, so I got a new cartridge and got a plumber to instal it and since the old one was very tight indeed, I’m glad I did. Trouble is, the cold tap still drips. I did find a strange way of stopping the drips though. If I run the hot tap until it’s too hot to touch for half a minute, then turn it off, the cold tap stops dripping! I think there’s a certain amount of heat expansion that stops the leak. Weird but it works! I’m thinking of getting an old style washer tap fitted in place of the cartridge tap. The tap and the rest of the kitchen is only three years old. In all the time I grew up, I can’t remember having taps needing as much as a washer replaced let alone an expensive part compared with a rubber washer replaced.

[@robinstokes5179]

As a maintenance guy my main peeve with these cartridge valves is the complete lack of standardised fitting, the end result being the whole valve is chucked away, even if it was (in theory) repairable. A lot worse for he planet than a little worn out rubber washer. The number of different sizes is huge. It's often not just the overall height you need to know, let alone the number & diameter of splines. There are different heights / depths where they screw into the tap body & if that's too short the silicone seal doesn't seal properly. If the valve is too tall, you can't screw the valve into place fully without causing the tap to bind. As you point out, over time the silicone seals get compressed anyway, loosening the overall ceramic assembly & I've found this to be a very common cause of drips. In theory the seals are available as spares but... there's a whole load of different sizes of these as well & I have rarely found one to fit the valve I'm repairing.

[@brianlopez8855]

Some of these "designers" need to have their heads dunked in the WC pan to wake them up once in a while.

[@realworldriding2601]

Roger - you are worshipped in this household - not a complicated job, but: "Fill the kettle" and "put the plug in" are priceless tips from the Top- thank you so much!! PS stripped and refitted an entire bathroom following some of your other videos 🥇

[@SkillBuilder]

The idea of anyone worshipping me makes me uncomfortable but thanks for the support. I am glad you were able to fit a bathroom from our videos, that is why we make them. So many people are let down by professionals that it makes perfect sense to do what you can. KZbin is great for learning new skills.

[@tomw588]

Skill Builder is always my first port of call for DIY jobs. Thank you for sharing your skills, Roger.

[@apeterwarren2061]

Short and sweet, completely to the point. Quality advice in a quality video. Very helpful. Thank you. Sept 21.

[@RobE8888]

Thanks very much for this video, annoying “fancy” dripping tap (that the previous owner of our house installed so I didn’t quite know what it was) correctly identified on the website you suggested and fixed for £30 (both sides) DIY saved me a lot of cash as I thought we might need a new tap fitting! Thanks again 👍

[@julesnfriends]

All videos should be exactly like this! Thank you for posting.

[@TheWorkingMumsLifeCoach]

Thank you so much for this video. It gave me the confidence to have a go. No more leaky tap!

[@katbairwell]

Just the info we need to deal with our new-build sink. Excellent tip about filling the kettle - always have enough water for a brew! Cheers Roger!

[@mandymcchow]

Thank you for your video, i just fixed mine following your instructions, it made my day!

[@baboo36]

Hey Roger. Thanks mate. Perfect. I made the mistake of using the mole grips and snapped the end off! Then I spotted the hex and everything was easy after that!

[@elleg9222]

Fantastic video! I happen to have the same Franke tap too, I took out the cartridge, gave it a clean and put it back in and no more drippy tap

[@MarkJT1000]

Hey I liked that. Several good tips in there and great importance placed upon being able to make a cup of tea. Subscribed.

[@maljohnson2660]

Watched this video then took the taps apart and took the cartridge down to Screwfix. They matched it - bought a pair for £4.50. Went home and fitted them. Job done. Took ten minutes. Plumber quoted £110 to do it! Thanks!

[@malcolmjames7388]

I love your videos,I used to listen to you every Saturday on LBC when people phoned in with there DIY problems.Years ago. Great help for the People who do DIY. It's nice to see your still helping them thanks. Keep them coming..

[@ukmidnighter]

Thank you for this video. Gave it a go and it worked great. The video gave me the confidence to have a go.

[@raoufelgawly1599]

Thanks Roger, you answered every single question I had , very knowledgeable thanks

[@bing1577]

Thanks for the short lesson. ..well worth the watch. ..my leaking taps are now sorted by a complete novice...

[@brianingram1834]

Very good. Well described along with additional trouble-shooting.

[@waynesparrow2015]

Thank you for taking time to make these videos

[@darrencampbell5629]

Checked a few other vids out before giving my leaky tap a bash this one knocked them all out the park. 👍🏻

[@zeebo100]

Thank you for the video, I have a similar tap, and wasn't sure how to dissemble. Also loved the cup of tea touch haha..

[@charlesforeman9438]

My ceramic taps are only 2 years old. Had to get them replaced under guarantee as they wouldn't stop dripping. Now out of guarantee, a second pair are dripping as well. It always seems to be the cold, probably because that has more use. A plumber told me these are his biggest call-out jobs, and to never buy ceramic taps and he sticks with taps with rubber washers in future

[@danl5592]

That ceramic valve was expensive £15 . I never replace them , can get a nice new mixer tap for around £35 , they are very cheap if you know where to go (not B&Q😅)

[@davidboddy2640]

But they look good !

[@user-wt5rb9pi4x]

Thanks for this excellent instructive video. Watched it last night and successfully did the deed today!

[@SkillBuilder]

Glad it helped!

[@Nellsmum22]

Excellent. We followed your instructions exactly, even filled the kettle, & now have dripless taps. When I write 'we' I was just the assistant!

[@SkillBuilder]

Glad it helped!

[@hklovejoy]

Thank you - this is beautifully explained. I just wanted to understand more about WHY our tap is dripping, and what a cartridge looked like! We'll still have to get a plumber as neither my husband nor I have the right tools - or strength - but now I know what they're talking about! Happy days.

[@SpiritintheSky.]

It's worth considering getting some basic tools, very cheap if second-hand. They'll quickly pay for themselves, given how expensive tradesmen can be. And, of course, there's the delay in getting the work done, and the inconvenience to you. Do it yourself and it's cheap and quick.

[@joe2mercs]

You need to take care not to over-tighten cartridge retaining nuts. I had a combined hot/cold on/off bathroom sink tap that was rapidly dripping. The cartridge was plastic and the side wall that retained the end rubber ‘o’ ring seal had broken. During its assembly the retaining nut had been over tightened squeezing the rubber seal so hard that it had burst the plastic. Fortunately the weakness in this particular design had been addressed and the replacement cartridge had a much thicker thicker side wall. My advice is to apply a smear of silicone grease to mating surfaces and to only firmly snug up the retaining nuts. The result is that the ‘o’ rings retain some elasticity and the ceramic parts glide effortlessly whilst being completely water tight.

[@dominicmeehan8322]

Love these videos. I wish I had the balls to try some DIY!!

[@syedaziz203]

Just fix my tap. Thank you for your video sir.

[@fampc2660]

Thank You! I work in a hardware store. I find customers make 2 trips because they don't know if the valve closes clockwise or counterclockwise. The wholesale distributors don't help this situation by labeling it Hot or Cold. The cartridge should be labeled CW or CCW.

[@davidwest2880]

great advice.. fill the kettle incase you need a cup of tea!

[@kannansundararajan4262]

very informative video. Thanks Roger. Like the way you mention tips and tricks. Noted your pressure tip. Looking forward to your other videos. Thanks & take Care.

[@howardevans3827]

Very helpful... Great video = job done here! Thank you!

[@shriramvenu]

excellent video! very nicely explained so that anyone could do it!

[@shanmugamuthu7665]

WELL DONE! and very helpful.

[@danwatkins6303]

Thanks Roger for making this vid. Also, liked the use of the wrench on wrench technique - Brilliant!! Lastly, Thank you that the Chinese-torture is over...

[@sagunmalla8548]

Thank you so much! This was helpful

[@charleswillcock3235]

Brilliant video - a perfect explanation.

[@taichimeteorman]

Excellent video! Thank you 🙂

[@Mr4thetruth]

Lots of good tips in this video, thank you. 👍

[@rajivvashm6046]

thanks Roger.. lovely short video; I enjoy watching the SB videos on my office breaks... (sad , I know..either that or an Airbus take off and land....keep 'em coming buddy)

[@safrazisap7325]

Excellent demo 👍👌

[@lindaroland3355]

Very helpful. I am going to have a go … for the first time!

[@subbedtodeath2051]

I managed to undo the cartridge in my tap using a 17mm deep socket (couldn’t get an adjustable spinner in) , worked a treat 👍

[@garymckenzie4521]

Thank you Roger that's very interesting and helpful

[@markbellingham4536]

What a lovely 😊 man always helpful god bless you and your family 👍👍

[@SkillBuilder]

Thanks so much

[@keithcoker5261]

Great, very helpful. On my unit cartridge was seized in housing. Using longer leverage or spanner and hammer wasn't working and seemed like might cause damage. Solution was impact driver, work a treat.

[@michaeltb1358]

Good idea. So far i have not managed to remove old cartridge.

[@paullockwood7219]

Cheers Roger!

[@darrenroberts5137]

Thank you .saved me a fortune 👍

[@03133786]

Nice bloke and a great video!

[@jackmullett9198]

Very clear, well explained 😎

[@topfuelteddy]

Ceramic cartridge's are a crap invention, old rubber washers far better,pence to replace not 15 quid a time , can't even find the correct one for my tap .

[@emma8821]

So cool. thank you very much. Mind you, I had a thought that it may not be as easy in real life, it rarely is. Sure enough, my tap wouldn't come off after opening the grub screw, turns out there was also some glue or something, second hurdle was the cartridge was so corroded, it would not budge and I was worried about damaging the tap with too much force, but after some WD40 and a bit of help, it opened. Thanks to your video, the tap is no longer leaking and I am one very happy bunny :D

[@dawnwilkins7554]

Thank you so much fantastic video!

[@richardhorner7723]

Really enlightening. I’m going in!

[@SkillBuilder]

Good luck

[@marty5219]

Thanks for an informative video.

[@davidhorne123]

Great video. FYI, there’s no way I could have removed the cartridge from my tap with a spanner or pliers - but a socket set unscrewed it quite easily. 👍

[@pohhianchan5558]

Great video ! . Thank you very much.

[@deanmarshall1270]

Cheers. It helped to save me money. I did't tell the wife I was fixing it. She ask how much I had to pay to get it fixed. I think I'll keep the money 😁 secret.

[@Rose-fb3qo]

Thank you. That was excellent!!!

[@sarder2008]

It helped a lot thank you.

[@noodlemaz]

Going to try this! Not sure what brand the tap is but it's a German kitchen so hopefully applies. Only thing I'd recommend/request is editing the subtitles as the auto generated ones haven't done too well! Thank you :)

[@benchippy8039]

Any chance you could knock up a video on soil venting? The more I read into it the more complicated it seems but now I’m wondering if it’s just acedemic plumber types trying to complicate the trade. Would love to see some more technical videos

[@francisforshaw1659]

Thanks for this, I have just done the job, and it was easy after viewing.

[@harveyschofield4619]

Ditto. Tap fixed in 20 minutes for a tenner. Even used same eBay shop.

[@arronthompson3265]

Thanks mate really helpful tutorial, and at my age 56 I don't have the qualifications, owning your own house I need to have a little knowledge of how things work, if it's not hooking up the TV aerial cables properly or painting or fixing things round the house it's something else, tc and thanks again 😊

[@TheAudiostud]

Yep! Spent Christmas working on this very problem @ my mother-in-laws

[@MPCpropertydevelopments]

always wondered and now I know!

[@MihaliWheeler]

Great video. Will give it a go

[@THIRSTYPIRATE1]

More quality advice . cheers

[@cranford1947]

had the same problem with mine,used half inch fibber washer behind the cartridge,worked a treat.

[@cranford1947]

@M3RCY correct

[@kewalsingh8197]

Realy impressed with ur info 👏👌👍

[@SkillBuilder]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@tonyroach3840]

Legend! Tip: Toughest part was getting the old cartridge out. Get the big spanners out like Rodger did.Don't foget to dig the old washer out. Then get the kettle on 😂

[@georgej48]

Good job !

[@terrifictyplosion]

Nice and quick repair thanks

[@richmarsh5029]

Nice video. Thanks

[@ivanfinlay7758]

Roger T E A Classy fella Best Regards

[@plan9c7]

Great info. Thanks

[@tomsmith2496]

Thanks for a great video. I read that it's a good idea to use silicone grease when replacing the valve. Would you agree and if so, where should it be applied?

[@zito2301]

Top lad! Thanks Rog

[@mirabilo]

Thank you. Excellent video. Didn't help me though. Can't find the 'grub' screw on my Franke tap.

[@martindorrance8133]

Hi Roger. Just wondered why you have a photo of Robin on your fridge? Ha😂

[@peterwhorley4889]

Thanks very clear

[@Malparker66]

Thank you, very useful

[@imranghadiyali8391]

thank you very much help full vidio thanks 👍

[@Galwayboy1981]

Handy video cheers

[@moremlv]

Thank you and thanks for the cuppa tip!

[@SkillBuilder]

You are so welcome!

[@loafersheffield]

A good quality 17mm hexentric ring spanner is useful for removing tap glands. Note of caution though. Sometimes the spline heads (the vertical grooves that the tap head pushes on to)can be slightly different diameter and lengths. If you can take it to a plumbers merchants, you can usually get an exact match/replacement. Nice one Roger. I'm going back to watching a George Carlin liveshow...

[@Uncleeggs1981]

Tell me about it. My range master tap had a random number of splines that had to be OEM replacements. £30 a piece. Absolute joke. 3 replacements = price of an entire tap unit.

[@loafersheffield]

Change the tap... Oh, hang on. If it's a basin tap and can't find a match for the bath... well change the bath tap(s) too. It's like going shopping with the missus for shoes in 1/2 sizes and bras with lace that don't chafe nipples. Add matching bags and shoes into that equation and you have got the answer... Plumbers hate working for women....

[@RameshPatel-ph3ie]

Thanks the price of cartridge in India is 320 rupees and pleased to have your tips

[@LowreyContractorsUK]

Thanks useful info

[@rudolfr178]

Thanks for the video ( from the Netherlands Europe) was helpful to understand. I always tried with force to close the tap. But now I know that even simple taps can have a Caramic cartridge. using force won't help. All 3 taps in the shower room do have this problem. probably dirt in the water system. The kitchen tab (old leather ring system >40year old) does not have this problem. thanks

[@lennykelly9952]

Great video Roger,could you tell your viewers or do a video on the Grohe Ambi dual lever C spout kitchen taps,it’s really only to get the tap heads off to get at the cartridge there’s no Allen key head or set grub screws there’s an Allen key for the spout though thanks if you get a chance.

[@SpiritintheSky.]

As always another of your very helpful videos. In my case, everything went according to plan, of course, but what if they hadn't for some reason? Your videos are generally intended, I believe, for people with little experience. So what would an inexperienced person do if, for example, something did not come undone or needed some form of modification? Perhaps you could make one or two videos on resolving the unexpected? I'm sure you've had plenty of experience yourself in your long professional life!

[@SpiritintheSky.]

PS I should have mentioned that the inline valve did not stop the water flow entirely. (The valve for the other tap did, I noticed.)

[@abscomm]

Great video Roger, nice to have that website in my arsenal. One question, how do you identify your taps manufacturer?

[@Roger-Bisby1]

If you look on the website they have pictures of the taps. If all else fails take the cartridge to the merchants

[@Kinadnuf]

Cheers mate, thanks.

[@michaeltrimmer8899]

You can tell which one is letting by, just by pushing in the tap body, leaks are mostly the silicon washer at the end of the cartridge

[@yclare1]

Hi Roger do you know if you can just buy the red or blue gaskets at the top as I only bought the cartridges a couple of years ago.. great video. ❤

[@daz3660]

could you do a vid on toilet water hammer please(pipework) thanks

[@SH-sf7qe]

Great video! Could I ask a question..our kitchen mixer tap is a similar design to the one in this video, but seems to be leaking from the very base (ie where the chrome sits on the countertop) and not just from the base of the spout. Do you think this can be fixed by replacing the o-rings and/or the tap cartridges, or should I be looking for something else? Many thanks in advance!

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you : )

[@vistron888]

That will more than likely be an aftermarket cartridge because Franke are unlikely to do it for £15. Have you seen the prices for Villeroy & Boch ones? I have quarter turns in my house which I installed in 1996. They are not even branded but I believe were made in Italy. Never had a single drip. Worked sweet all the time. Now that I've said that they'll probably leak :-)