How to Identify My Shower Faucet Cartridge?

Identifying the type of shower faucet cartridge you have can be a difficult task, especially if there are no identifying marks or labels. A shower faucet cartridge is the internal component of a faucet that controls the flow and temperature of the water coming out of the faucet.

Knowing the type of cartridge you have will help you find the right replacement parts when you need to repair or replace your faucet.

What Is a Cartridge Faucet?

A cartridge faucet is a type of faucet that uses a sealed cartridge to control the flow and temperature of the water. The cartridge is a cylindrical piece of plastic or metal with a hole in the center.

When you turn the handle, the cartridge moves and opens or closes the hole, allowing water to flow through at different pressures. Cartridge faucets are considered to be more reliable than other types of faucets because they are easier to maintain and repair.

Finding a Brand or Identification Number

The first step in identifying your shower faucet cartridge is to find the manufacturer’s brand name, logo, or initials. This can usually be found on the faucet face, handle, or escutcheon.

If you cannot find any identification marks, you can remove the faucet stem/cartridge and use a faucet identification chart or take it with you to the nearest home improvement store. Some of the most common faucet brands are Moen, Delta, Kohler, and American Standard.

Faucet Cartridge Identification and Removal

Once you have identified the brand of your shower faucet, you can begin to identify the type of cartridge your faucet uses. For Moen faucets, you can use the Moen Solutions website to identify which cartridge you have.

The website provides a guide that lists the different Moen cartridges and their variations. You will need to turn off the water supply shut-off valves before identifying the cartridge.

It is important to note that mineral deposits from hard water could be the cause of faucet issues. If you see deposits when you disassemble the faucet, soak the cartridge in vinegar to clean it before reattaching.

If you need to replace the cartridge, you can purchase a cartridge or repair kit for your faucet model. Tapered cartridges work by virtue of their tapered shape, rather than a series of grooves, so you should note the cartridge’s orientation when you remove it so you can put it back the same way.

Conclusion

Identifying your shower faucet cartridge is an important part of maintaining and repairing your faucet. Knowing the brand and type of cartridge your faucet uses will help you find the right replacement parts when you need to repair or replace your faucet.

With a little research and some basic knowledge, you can easily identify your shower faucet cartridge and get the parts you need to keep your faucet in working order.