How Long Does Delta Shower Cartridge Last? (With Examples)

A Delta shower cartridge plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of shower valves. They serve as secure housings that enable the mixing of hot and cold water, providing precise temperature control.

Understanding the lifespan of these essential components is vital for maintaining optimal shower performance.

Let’s discuss how long a Delta shower cartridge last:

Here’s an Idea of How Long Does a Delta Shower Cartridge Last:

Your Delta shower cartridge should last at least ten years if you buy brass or stainless steel, and up to thirty years if properly taken care of.

Hard water can decrease shower cartridge life expectancy, and cheaper options like nylon or plastic cartridges rarely make it past five years.

How Long Does a Delta Shower Cartridge Last
How Long Does a Delta Shower Cartridge Last

This isn’t all you need to know about shower cartridges though, so we have provided some more useful information that can help you maximize your shower’s potential!

What is the Warranty on a Delta Shower Cartridge?

If your shower cartridge stops working, you should check your warranty in case you can get a free replacement.

Delta shower cartridges come with a ten-year warranty. You can get a free replacement within this period if the damage was not caused by your use.

This warranty is only for residential customers; commercial buyers can avail of the warranty within a one-year period.

Are All Delta Shower Faucets Interchangeable?

Delta provides a full range of trim kits and valves, so the convenient thing to do is to buy your entire showering apparatus from them.

Delta shower faucet models are interchangeable and can be used with any Delta handle. Yet, you can’t use parts from different companies since they have distinct designs that don’t fit with Delta faucets.

How Do Delta Shower Cartridges Work?

A shower valve lets you switch between hot and cold water supplies, but being able to use both simultaneously is a relatively recent invention.

Delta Shower Cartridges let you control water pressure and temperature by adjusting inflow based on the position of your faucet handle.

Some cartridges only control water temperature, whereas others let you adjust water volume too.

To watch this complete process, check out this great video from The Plumbing Gurus!

How To Replace A Delta Shower Cartridge

Signs of a Bad Shower Cartridge:

Trying to run your shower with a bad cartridge is liable to make matters worse, so it helps to know what some of the signs are.

  • A major sign of a bad shower cartridge is a shower handle that gets stuck frequently or slips as you turn it.
  • Improper water control, such as dripping after turning the shower off or low pressure when turned on, also suggests your shower cartridge needs replacing.

What Causes a Shower Cartridge to Leak?

If your shower cartridge is leaking, you need to replace it soon because there might be some corrosion or wear and tear behind it. It’s also useful to know what causes this since some leaks can be prevented by taking the appropriate measures.

Shower cartridges come with seals, gaskets, and O-rings all of which get worn away or blocked by hard water. The mineral deposits left behind can cause abrasions and leaks.

How Often Do Shower Valves Go Bad?

Generally speaking, your shower valves shouldn’t go bad for at least fifteen to twenty years.

The first thing to go is usually the temperature control valve, but replacing it with a new shower cartridge should let you get another five years out of it at a minimum.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Delta Shower Cartridge?

While it can be stressful to think about replacing one of your shower parts, the cost tends to be minimal where shower cartridges are concerned.

You can get a brand-new Delta shower cartridge for anywhere from $20 to $80 dollars. There’s usually a $100-$200 dollar installation fee too, bringing your total up to $100-300 dollars.

Can You Replace the Shower Cartridge Without Turning Off the Water?

Sooner or later you’d have to replace your shower cartridge, but do you need to go through the extra hassle of turning your water off too?

You can’t replace your shower cartridge without turning off your main water supply. The cartridge blocks and releases water based on the handle position, so water will flow freely and at high pressure once you remove it.

This can make a mess, so it’s better to turn the water off beforehand.

Can a Shower Cartridge Be Repaired?

When your faucet starts to leak, it can be tempting to think of replacing it. On the other hand, what if you could repair it?

While leaking faucets can be repaired easily, shower cartridges cannot. There is no way to reverse their wear and tear, so in order to fix a leaky faucet you’d need to buy a replacement cartridge.

Fortunately, shower cartridges are generally quite inexpensive. It’s best to replace them whenever your faucet begins to drip water since this takes less than an hour to do and fixes the matter permanently.

How to Test a Shower Valve After Installing?

Installing your own shower valve is easy enough if you follow some basic instructions. That said, how can you be sure that you’ve done it right? By testing it of course!

To test your shower valve, turn on the water and let it flow for around fifteen seconds. If you observe a stable water flow, it means you have installed the valve correctly.

Unstable flows with regular air gaps indicate that the valve is offset. You should also check the hot and cold water taps separately to see if both flows are consistent.

Does it Matter What Order You Turn the Faucets Shower Diverter Off In?

Experiencing suboptimal water pressure and flow can sometimes make us fiddle around with the shower diverter knobs in the hopes that this will make a difference.

However, it doesn’t really matter what order you turn your shower diverters off in.

When Should I Replace My Faucet Cartridges?

Leaving a faulty cartridge in your faucet can result in significant leaks and other kinds of damage. Preempting this damage by knowing when to replace it can be useful.

In most cases, a faucet cartridge needs to be replaced when it continues dripping after the water is turned off.

If your faucet handles offer too much resistance when you turn them, this also suggests that your cartridge needs replacing.

Why Should I Replace My Shower Cartridge?

Just because your shower cartridge is a decade old, doesn’t mean you should automatically replace it. Why then is cartridge replacement so highly recommended?

Because without a shower cartridge, it’s impossible to properly control water temperature from a single-handle faucet.

Your water temperature might drastically dip or increase which can cause hypothermia and burns. Also, it can be difficult to maintain consistent water pressure with a faulty cartridge.

How Do I Identify My Delta Shower Faucet?

If you ever need to go out and buy a replacement for your Delta shower faucet, you should know how to identify compatible models.

You can check the UPC code on the box that your shower faucet came in to find out the model number. Delta has also been stamping its faucets with their model ID numbers so check every inch of your faucet if you threw its packaging away.

What Is the Difference Between Delta 14 Series and 17 Series?

Shower technology is advancing rapidly these days, and Delta is one of the trailblazers making this innovation happen. Some buyers get confused between their Delta 14 and Delta 17 series because they look quite similar, but suffice it to say that they have some unique features that distinguish them.

The main difference is that the Delta 14 offers temperature controls, whereas the Delta 17 also offers pressure and volume control.

You can get by with a Delta 14 and enjoy the ideal water temperature at all times. However, if you get fluctuating water pressure, you might want to spring for a Delta 17 because it allows you to modify pressure settings as and when required.

How Do I Turn My Shower Diverter On?

There are three basic kinds of shower diverters that you can use, and they separate based on the number of valves they have. Here’s how you can turn on each of them:

Single Valve:

This diverter type is also called a Tee Diverter because of its shape. It is usually located around the tub faucet, and it contains a lever that you can pull to divert water to the shower head.

Dual Valve:

Diverters with two separate valves are usually placed in the center with two faucets or taps on either side. They can be activated with a similar mechanism as single valve variants.

Triple Valve:

Such types of shower diverters are different in that they require rotation to activate. You need to rotate the lever until water is diverted to your shower head and none is coming out of the tub faucet.

Can We Reverse Delta Shower Cartridge?

If you’ve ever lived in a haphazardly assembled home, you might be familiar with peculiar occurrences like shower valves being upside down. This can lead to hot water coming out of the cold tap and vice versa.

You cannot reverse shower cartridges that have a single-notch design. However, if your cartridge or valve has multiple notches, you can flip them.

Delta designs most of their shower cartridges to be reversible, and even if they are not, you can flip them using a reversing ball.

Final Thoughts!

Replacing your shower cartridges is a quick and cost-effective solution. By swapping out old cartridges with new ones, you can fix temperature control issues, eliminate pressure fluctuations, and prevent leaks.

Furthermore, the process of replacing shower cartridges is straightforward and hassle-free. With easy-to-follow instructions, you can confidently tackle this maintenance task without the need for professional assistance.

By investing a little time and effort in cartridge replacement, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable showering experience, free from frustrating plumbing problems. Take charge of your shower’s performance and upgrade your bathing routine with new, reliable shower cartridges.

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