Bathroom | January 28, 2022

How To Replace A Single-Handle Shower Cartridge (In 3 Steps!)

If your single-handle shower is no longer controlling your water temperature or easily turning on or off, you probably need to replace your shower’s faucet cartridge.

Don’t worry. This is a straightforward plumbing job that any beginner can handle. Here’s how to do replace a single-handle shower cartridge in 3 simple steps.

Table of Contents

Replacing a Single-Handle Shower Cartridge

All you’ll need to get started is a small screwdriver (or nail), an Allen wrench, and a pair of pliers. The time you need will be about 1 hour if all goes smoothly.

Let’s get this tutorial started for your single-handle shower cartridge replacement.

1. Remove the Shower Faucet Handle

Turn off the water supply before you begin.
Now, open (turn on) the faucet to empty the supply lines of any remaining water.
Close the drain cover and cover it with a bath mat to prevent any parts from falling down the drain.
Depending on the type and age of your shower faucet handle, you’ll need to either use (A) a screwdriver to pry off the handle cover or (B) an Allen wrench (also called a Hex wrench).
Unscew and remove the handle.
Lift off the handle and pull it off the stop tube to reveal the stem of the cartridge and its retainer clip. The retainer clip secures the cartridge to the faucet body.

single-handle shower cartridge - remove handle — You might have an “older-style” single-handle shower faucet that requires you to remove the cover. This will allow you to get to the screw holding the handle in place. More modern styles can be removed simply with an Allen or Hex wrench.

2. Free the Cartridge

Use a small screwdriver (or a nail) to carefully pry up the cartridge retainer clip.
Grip the retainer clip firmly or it might spring away from the faucet.

single-handle shower cartridge - retainer clip — Be careful in removing the retainer (or retaining) clip. It can easily pop away and get lost. Make sure you cover your drain before doing any work.

3. Replace the Cartridge

Grip the cartridge stem with your pliers, then pull it free from the faucet body by rotating it from side to side. If you run into problems, you might need to purchase a special cartridge-pulling wrench designed to remove cartridges.
Take that cartridge to your local hardware store for an exact replacement. Even better, go to a plumbing supply center. They’ll have more expertise and better parts that will last longer.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you know your brand of shower. When it comes to showers and faucets, manufacturers don’t make their parts to fit universal standards. Trying to match one brand with another is a big mistake; it probably won’t fit, and even if it does, you’ll likely run into problems later.
Insert the new replacement cartridge with the flat part of the stem facing up. This will ensure that the hot and cold water are not reversed.
Reinstall the retainer clip, stop tube, and handle.

replace single-handle shower cartridge — You might need to use a special tool, called a cartridge-pulling wrench, to remove the cartridge if it can’t be removed with pliers. It will cost about $15 or more and is made for specific brands or for universal applications.

Final Thoughts

The first two steps in replacing a single-handle shower cartridge are fairly quick and easy. It gets a bit more complex in the final step. It’s at that point when you’ll need to go to a plumbing supply center to make sure you get the correct replacement.

In any case, this job shouldn’t take long and is a great way to fix a leak, improve the faucet’s ease of use, and ensure proper temperature control.

You can also watch how to replace a shower cartridge here.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help replacing a single-handle shower cartridge.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.