Shower Cartridge Faucets

• A cartridge faucet is the most widely used shower faucet today. It is easy to repair as well. All you need to do is shut off the water at the home's main water line by turning the shut off valve by the water heater to the off position. If there is access to the hot and cold water pipes in the shower wall, you can turn both of them off as an alternative. Find the set screw on the base of the handle and remove it with an Allen wrench. Slide off the handle, and remove the retaining nut or bonnet, the part holding the cartridge in place. Pull the cartridge out and replace it with a new one, then replace the bonnet or retaining nut and handle.
  
  

Kitchen and Bath Cartridge Faucets

• To fix a kitchen and bath cartridge faucet turn off the water under the sink by closing each water pipe valve. Then remove the handle to the faucet by unscrewing the set screw. This is located under the front of the lever on most lever style faucets, or under a cap which you can take off with a flat-head screwdriver. In many double-set faucets, the base of the faucet turns to unscrew from a washer attached to your sink. Slide the handle off and unscrew the cartridge nut, take out the cartridge and replace it with a new one. Rebuild the faucet by replacing the parts you removed.
  
  

Double Handle Faucets

• A double-handle faucet uses two handles, one to turn the hot water on and off, and another to turn the cold water on and off. If this faucet leaks from the handle, simply repair that handle only. Turn off the water and remove the handle by unscrewing the base or set screw. Take out the cartridge and replace it with a brand new one. Then replace the handle. If this faucet leaks from the spout, replace both cartridges in each handle.
  
  

Washer and Valve Faucet Leaks

• Washer and valve faucets have seats and stems which act as the control for the water. To repair a leak in this faucet, turn off the water supply, take off the handle by removing the set screw. Unscrew the stems with a bath socket wrench and then take out the seats with a seat wrench. Replace the seats and the stem. Tighten the stems with the bath socket wrench and then replace the handles to use the faucet.
  
  

Ball Valve Faucets

• A ball valve faucet is another type of faucet. It uses a ball valve and two seat springs to control water flow. To fix a leak in this type of faucet, turn off the water and take off the handle by unscrewing the handle set screw and sliding the handle up and off the faucet. Unscrew the cam and packing and then lift out the ball stem. Remove both seat springs and replace them, then replace the ball valve, cam and packing, and handle.