Skip to Content
Top

Houston Bathtub Repair for Faulty Cartridges

Bathtub
|

If you’re having troubles with your bathtub faucet, then you might need Houston bathtub repair for the faucet cartridge. The faucet cartridge is an essential part of your plumbing. If it becomes worn or damaged, you may experience a lot of unpleasant issues with your tub. In this article, we’ll explain some signs your tub cartridge may be faulty and some ways we can help you fix the problem. 

A tub/shower cartridge is basically what allows the handle to control the flow and temperature of the water. It connects to the hot and the cold water supply pipes, mixes the two together based on the position of the handle, and sends it to the tub spout to go into your tub (or up toward the shower head if you have the tub faucet’s diverter in the right position). Therefore, this critical part of your plumbing can cause many major issues with your bathtub. 

Signs You Need Houston Bathtub Repair for the Faucet Cartridge

There may be many different signs that you have a damaged or worn-out tub faucet cartridge. Keep an eye out for these issues and call our plumbers for help if you notice any of the signs. 

Your Bathtub Faucet Leaks Even in the Off Position

One common call we get for Houston plumbing leak repairs is due to a tub faucet that keeps trickling or dripping even after you’ve turned the handle off. Many people think that this means they need to replace the tub spout, but it actually is likely something wrong with either the handle or the faucet cartridge. In most cases, if you can’t find damage to the tub faucet that prevents it from shutting off completely, then the tub cartridge is likely to blame.

You Don’t Have Much Control Over the Temperature of the Water

Find yourself struggling with the faucet handle every day, trying to get the perfect temperature. If you’re met with only scalding or icy water, then that may also be an issue with the bathtub cartridge. Since the cartridge is responsible for controlling how much cold and hot water gets mixed and flows through the faucet or shower head, this is a common sign of a faulty cartridge. If this is the case, Houston bathtub repair for the faulty cartridge will restore your control over water temperature.

Water Pressure Slows to a Trickle When You Turn the Faucet All the Way Cold or Hot

Another issue you might notice if you have a faulty tub cartridge is that your water pressure basically drops to a slow trickle when you move the handle in a particular way. In some cases, this may only happen when you turn the handle all the way to the cold or hot side. Sometimes, it may happen on both sides. If you’re experiencing these issues, this is a sure sign to call your plumber for Houston bathtub repair.

Hot and Cold are Reversed for Your Tub

If you turn the bathtub faucet to hot and get cold and vice versa, this can be incredibly frustrating. Once again, this is another sign of an issue with the tub cartridge. If the cartridge is damaged or in the wrong position, then it won’t function properly. The result may be that your hot and cold controls are reversed.

Common Ways to Provide Houston Bathtub Repair for Faulty Cartridges

Houston bathtub repair for a faulty cartridge looks different based on the exact problem. There are many ways our plumbers may be able to repair it and get your tub functioning properly again. Here are some of the ways we might repair your bathtub cartridge:

We May Need to Clean the Cartridge for Houston Bathtub Repair

Minerals from hard water can build up on the tub faucet cartridge and cause issues with how it functions. In these cases, Houston bathtub repair may involve removing the cartridge and giving it a good cleaning to remove mineral deposits that might interfere with the seals between the supply lines or with the pipe that leads to the bathtub faucet. 

We May Need to Replace O-Rings, Gaskets, or Other Parts on Your Tub Faucet Cartridge

There are several rubber components on bathtub cartridges, including O-rings and gaskets. For some types of cartridges, these parts may be replaceable. If this is the case, then our team can remove the cartridge, get rid of the old, worn components, and replace them with new, compatible parts. This can keep the cartridge working for longer before you need a replacement.

We Might Need to Re-Orient the Cartridge to Its Proper Position

Sometimes, it may be that the cartridge is simply in the wrong position. Bathtub cartridges have to line up precisely with the different elements of your tub’s plumbing, or else they may not work well and can start to malfunction. This can happen if it’s installed improperly or, in rarer cases, from gradual movement over time. Our plumbers will check to make sure the cartridge is still in good shape and move it into the proper placement for this type of Houston bathtub repair for the cartridge.

We May Need to Replace the Cartridge Altogether for Houston Bathtub Repair

In many cases, however, the cartridge may need replacement. This is when the cartridge is heavily damaged or worn or if it’s close to the end of its expected life span. For this service, the plumber will remove the old cartridge and replace it with a new one that is compatible with your plumbing and bathtub handle.

How Long Do Bathtub Cartridges Last?

Of course, this begs the question, how long does a bathtub cartridge last, anyway? Like other components of your home’s plumbing system, tub faucet cartridges aren’t meant to last forever and will need replacement after a time. For most cartridges, you can expect them to last between 15 and 20 years. 

Why Get Professional Help with Bathtub Faucet Cartridges?

Getting professional Houston bathtub repair for a faulty cartridge can save you a lot of time and headaches. Tub/shower cartridges often require special tools to replace, depending on the brand. Trying to DIY cartridge repair or replacement means you’ll need to purchase one of these tools and learn how to use it. 

Also, what many don’t realize is there are many different types of tub cartridges. In fact, each brand of faucet often has its own unique type of cartridge. There are countless numbers of faucet makers out there, with large names including Delta, Kohler, American Standard, and Moen, just to name a few. An experienced plumber can quickly identify the type of cartridge you have for easy repair or replacement. 

Additionally, as with any DIY attempts at plumbing, if something goes wrong, you might be in for a world of hurt. Improper cartridge repair or replacement could damage the pipes for your tub, leading to leaks and water damage that can cost a fortune to fix. In many cases, you’ll even need to tear out the tile to access the pipes behind the wall. 

Therefore, avoid all these issues by calling our team for expert plumbing services, instead.

Quick, Quality, Affordable Services from Santhoff Plumbing Company – Your Trusted 24 Hr. Plumber in Houston

If you have a problem with your home’s plumbing, contact our team at Santhoff Plumbing. We have been a family-owned and operated business in Greater Houston since 1974 and provide top-quality plumbing services. Whether you need help with a dripping bathtub faucet or need a 24 hr. plumber in Houston for a major leak, you can trust us for quick response, quality services, and affordable prices. Reach out today to request service for your plumbing needs.

Categories: 
Share To: