Q&A for How to Change the Washer in a Shower Faucet

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Where do I turn off the main water line?

Community Answer

Usually, it's extremely close to the water meter. There should be a shut-off valve both immediately before and after the water meter. Both can be turned off if one isn't doing the trick. If neither shut off the water completely, then you'll need a plumber to replace both with ball type valves for vastly improved predictability and reliability.

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Question

What do I do if the cartridge just spins and doesn't come out?

Community Answer

Make sure you removed the large outermost nut, an extremely common setup. You can also both push and pull to free the possible O-ring(s), or you can spray some oil into the back. It should just pop out, but some corrosion or buildup may need to be overcome. If nothing's working, then call a plumber and they'll grease up everything so future replacements are uneventful.

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Question

Do I have to turn off the water to do this?

Community Answer

Yes, you must turn off the water. The washer holds back the water pressure from the main line. If you remove the handle and washer without cutting off the water supply, water will spray everywhere.

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How come some washers are flat and some are rounded on one side?

Community Answer

It just depends on the connection. Flat washers are just sandwiched between the connection. The beveled or rounded washers are pressed against one side of the connection. Sure they both look the same when assembled, if you could see them, but there's a big difference.

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Question

How do I change the taps to a washer-less system?

Community Answer

Get a new faucet and entire valve. If you can find a perfect fit replacement upgrade, then great, please do a YouTube video about it. But it's not at all likely. Manufacturers are smarter than you and purposely change diameters, depths and configurations to work their magic with planned and now forced obsolescence.

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Question

I replaced my cartridge, but I keep having to replace the washer. Am I doing something wrong? I've gone through 4 washers; they work for about a month, then they fall apart.

Community Answer

One possibility: if the original washer was beveled, be sure you are not installing a flat washer (and vice versa); also, check to be sure the beveled side is turned correctly toward the valve seat. If it is installed backward, you could very well be cutting through the edges of the new washer and not know it.

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Question

I changed the washers on a Delta shower body. The leak stopped, but the hot water is cooler. Any thoughts?

Community Answer

Make sure you seated the washers and also installed the springs with the wide end down or so it goes-in-first. And, you may need to re-adjust the anti-scald arm, now that the leak is fixed. Or, you may need a new balancing valve that just wasn't apparent when the mixing happening within the delivery end.

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