If your faucet or shower handles are hard to turn, this may be a result of buildup on the cartridge. Follow these steps to clean your cartridges and loosen your handles:
- Turn off the water supply to your faucet.
- Open the valve handles to release any water pressure.
- Turn the handles back to the closed position.
- If your handles are secured with a set screw, use an Allen wrench to remove them. If they are attached with a screw, use a screwdriver.
- Take off any decorative escutcheon exposing the cartridge.
- Using a wrench, unscrew the cartridge out of the valve body.
- Remove the cartridge and soak in a 50/50 warm water and vinegar solution overnight.
- Turn the stem of the cartridge in the solution multiple times to loosen any remaining debris.
- Remove the aerator from the tip of your faucet and turn your water back on at half-pressure to flush the water lines and remove any debris or buildup in the faucet body.
- Turn the water supply back off.
- Reinstall the cartridge, making sure not to overtighten the cartridge in the valve body.
- Replace any escutcheon and the handle(s).
- Turn your water back on and test the faucet flow.
For a visual on how to clean a faucet cartridge, check out our video here.
If you are still experiencing issues after applying the above steps, a replacement cartridge may be needed. Please live chat us at www.signaturehardware.com or email us at support@signaturehardware.com.