How to Replace a Faucet Cartridge
Updated February 20, 2026
Replace a faucet cartridge to stop drips, fix stiff handles, and restore temperature control -- covers Moen, Delta, Kohler, and other major brands with the tricks for stuck cartridges.
Overview
The cartridge is the valve mechanism inside your faucet that controls flow and temperature. When the faucet drips, the handle is stiff or loose, hot and cold do not mix right, or water leaks under the handle -- the cartridge is almost always the problem. Unlike old compression faucets with rubber washers, cartridge faucets use a self-contained unit that slides in and out as one piece. Remove the handle, pull the old cartridge, push the new one in. The catch: every brand uses a different design, so you need the exact replacement for your model. Moen, Delta, Kohler, Pfister, American Standard -- all proprietary.
What You'll Need
Safety First
- Shut off both hot and cold supply valves under the sink. Open the handle to bleed remaining pressure. No individual shut-offs? Kill the main.
- Cover the drain with a rag before you take anything apart. Screws, clips, and O-rings have a way of rolling straight down an open drain.
- Use the correct size wrench on the retaining nut and turn slowly. Over-torquing or using the wrong tool cracks the faucet body -- especially plastic or zinc bodies -- and then you are replacing the whole faucet.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Identify Your Faucet Brand and Cartridge Type
Identify the brand and model before you start so you can get the right cartridge. Look for a name or logo on the base, handle, or escutcheon plate. Nothing visible? Check under the sink for a tag on the supply lines, or dig up the original receipt. Common types: Moen 1222 or 1225, Delta RP46074 or MultiChoice, Kohler GP77006. Cannot identify it? Pull the old cartridge first and bring it to a plumbing supply store for matching.
Tip: Photo the faucet and the old cartridge before going to the store. Hardware store employees can usually ID the brand from the shape alone. You can also search the part number (stamped on most cartridges) online. -
Remove the Handle
Most handles hide a screw under a decorative cap or button. Pry the cap off with a flathead or your fingernail -- it pops off. Underneath is a Phillips or Allen screw. Remove it and pull the handle straight off. Stuck from mineral buildup? Do not force it. Spray penetrating oil (WD-40 or PB Blaster) around the base, wait 15 minutes, then wiggle while pulling up. Very stubborn? A faucet handle puller ($10-15) applies even force without damaging the handle or stem.
Tip: Moen single-handle faucets often have a small adapter (handle adapter or pivot stop) between the handle and cartridge stem. Keep track of it and its orientation -- it has to go back the same way. -
Remove the Cartridge Retaining Hardware
Handle off, you can see the cartridge stem sticking out of the faucet body, held by a retaining mechanism. Varies by brand: Moen uses a U-shaped brass clip that slides out sideways with needle-nose pliers. Delta and Kohler use a bonnet nut (large threaded nut, counterclockwise). Some brands use a nut plus washer or spacer. Remove the retaining hardware carefully and set aside in order. Photo the pieces if there are multiple so you remember reassembly.
Tip: Moen's retaining clip can be hard to see and grab. Look for the small loop or tab. It slides straight out to the side -- does not unscrew or rotate. Corroded in place? Penetrating oil and work it side to side. -
Pull the Old Cartridge Out
Grip the stem with pliers and pull straight up. Some slide right out. Others -- especially Moen 1225 in hard-water areas -- can be brutally stuck from mineral deposits bonding it to the faucet body. Will not budge? Twist back and forth (quarter turns) while pulling to break the bond. Seriously stuck Moen? A cartridge puller ($15-20, or Moen sends one free with warranty cartridges) threads onto the stem and uses a sliding hammer to extract it. Do not force it without the proper tool -- you will crack the faucet body.
Warning: Note the cartridge orientation before pulling it out. There is a tab or notch that aligns with a slot in the faucet body. New cartridge goes in the same way, or hot and cold will be reversed. -
Install the New Cartridge
Coat the O-rings on the new cartridge with silicone-based plumber's grease (not petroleum-based). Align the orientation tab with the slot and push straight in -- firm hand pressure should do it. If it will not go in, check alignment and make sure you have the right replacement. Do not use a hammer. Once seated, reinstall the retaining hardware in reverse order. Bonnet nut snug, not cranked.
Tip: New cartridge slightly resistant? Turn on one supply valve briefly to let water pressure help seat it (handle off, faucet open). The pressure behind the cartridge pushes it into position. Turn the supply back off before reassembling. -
Reassemble, Test, and Verify
Reinstall the handle: slide onto the stem, replace the screw, snap the cap on. Turn on both supply valves slowly (hot first, then cold). Run the faucet 30 seconds to flush debris. Check for drips from the spout with the faucet off. Check for leaks under the handle during operation. Verify hot and cold are on the correct sides. Cycle the handle through its full range. Check under the sink for drips at the supply connections.
Tip: Hot and cold reversed? Turn off the water, pull the cartridge, rotate it 180 degrees, and reinsert. Common on Moen when the orientation tab is not aligned. On Delta and Kohler it usually means the cartridge went in upside down.
Pro Tips
- Moen sends replacement cartridges for free under their lifetime warranty. Call 1-800-289-6636 with your model number -- they will mail the cartridge and sometimes a free puller tool. Saves $15-30 on the part alone.
- Silicone-based plumber's grease on the O-rings, always. Not petroleum jelly, not putty. Petroleum-based products degrade rubber O-rings over time. Silicone grease is compatible with all O-ring materials and makes the next cartridge removal much easier.
- Shower valve cartridge? Same process but you will need to shut off the main since showers rarely have individual shut-offs. Shower cartridges also sit deeper in the wall and may need a longer-reach puller.
- Keep the old cartridge even after the repair. Having it on hand makes matching the replacement easy years from now when you have forgotten the model number.
- New cartridge in and it still drips? The valve seat (the surface the cartridge seals against) may be damaged. Some faucets have replaceable seats. Others need professional repair or full faucet replacement.
When to Call a Pro
Call a plumber if the cartridge is stuck and will not come out even with a puller (forcing it risks cracking the body), if the faucet body is cracked or corroded, if the valve seat is damaged and a new cartridge does not stop the drip, if you need a shower valve cartridge replaced but cannot find the shut-offs, or if you have a two-handle compression faucet (not cartridge) that needs seat grinding.