Faulty faucet cartridges cause drips from the spout.
A Price Pfister faucet with a pressure balance cartridge has one handle for operation of both the cold and hot water. Pushing the handle back turns the water on. Swiveling the handle left adds hot water and to the right adds cold water to the mixture. The water enters the faucet through the water supply valves into a fixed disc on the bottom of the cartridge. The cartridge has a hot- and cold-water inlet that allows water flow when they turn and align with the upper disc on the retaining clip. Failure of the bottom cartridge inlet seal allows water leaks at the bottom of the faucet.
Instructions
1. Turn the water supply valves for both the hot and cold water off. Turn each valve under the sink in a clockwise direction to turn off the water.
2. Place a small, flat screwdriver underneath the flat cap on top of the faucet. Pry the cap off and set it aside.
3. Place a screwdriver in the screw underneath the cap. Turn the screw counterclockwise until it is loose and pull it straight up and out of the faucet handle.
4. Lift the faucet handle up as far as it will go and tilt it back at a 45-degree angle to release it from the faucet. Pull the handle off and set it aside.
5. Place adjustable pliers on the plastic retaining clip and turn it counterclockwise to loosen. Pull the retaining clip straight up and out of the faucet.
6. Place adjustable pliers on the faucet cartridge in the center of the faucet and pull it straight out. Discard the old pressure balance cartridge.
7. Pull the faucet spout up while twisting side to side. Pull it off the faucet and set it aside.
8. Cut the O-rings off the bottom of the spout with a utility knife and discard them. An O-ring is a gasket that keeps junctions of metal parts containing water from leaking.
9. Place the new top O-ring in the palm of one hand. Rub heatproof grease on both sides of the O-ring. Place the top O-ring in position. Repeat this procedure for the bottom O-ring.
10. Push the faucet spout back onto the faucet with the spout facing forward.
11. Place the new pressure balance cartridge in the faucet with the flat tab facing forward.
12. Screw the retaining clip onto the cartridge with adjustable pliers in a clockwise direction.
13. Place the faucet handle on the cartridge starting by leaning backward at a 45-degree angle then pressing down the front onto the faucet.
14. Center the faucet cap on top of the handle and press down firmly with the palm of one hand to snap it into place.
15. Turn the hot and cold water valves counterclockwise to turn the water on.
Tips Warnings
It is a good idea to replace the two O-rings in the faucet bottom at the same time as the pressure balance cartridge. This action helps to avoid removing all of the faucet parts again in the near future to replace leaking O-rings.
Heatproof grease coats and protects the O-rings from deteriorating from the application of hot water through the faucet.
Related Posts:
Handle Alignment After Replacing A Price Pfister Faucet Cartridge
After replacing a Price Pfister faucet cartridge you must replace or reinstall the handle. The handle slides onto the end of the cartridge and If not done correctly the handle may point toward the...
Install A Price Pfister Shower Faucet Diverter
Installing a Price Pfister shower faucet diverter is the same as installing any shower faucet diverter. The key is to make sure that the diverter is a Price Pfister. There are many different brand...
Take Apart A Price Pfister Shower Faucet
The Price Pfister company has been manufacturing faucets and plumbing accessories since the early twentieth century. Renowned for their innovative aesthetic designs, Pfister shower assemblies use...
