How to Remove a Delta Cartridge

Delta Monitor faucets have a built-in feature that prevents a blast of icy water from hitting you if someone flushes a toilet or turns on a faucet while you are in the shower. These faucets offer years of trouble-free service, but like all devices with moving parts, they eventually wear out. When water starts to drip from the handle, there is no need to call a plumber---removing and replacing the Delta cartridge is a simple, 10-minute chore requiring no specialized tools.

• 1

  Turn off both hot- and cold-water shut-off valves in the bathroom. These are usually located against the wall inside the vanity cabinet or against the wall below a free-standing basin.

• 2

  Insert a small allen key into the setscrew located in the base of the shower handle; turn the key counterclockwise half a turn and remove the handle. There is no need to remove the round cover plate.

• 3

  Twist the chrome sleeve covering the white cartridge assembly to loosen it, and then remove it by hand. This will expose a large brass nut holding the Delta cartridge in place.

• 4

  Undo the nut by turning it counterclockwise with a pair of open channel-lock pliers. Be careful not to damage the nut by squeezing the pliers too hard.

• 5

  Grip the white Delta cartridge with the channel-lock pliers. You may have to twist it gently to loosen it. Pull the cartridge straight out of the brass housing.