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Restore Water and Test for Leaks — Test for Leaks and Functionality

Beginner2 hours

Part of project

Shower Cartridge Replacement: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 7 of 7

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Return to the water supply manifold and turn both the hot and cold valves back on. Go back to the shower and turn the handle on to test the water flow. Cycle the temperature handle from full cold to full hot to ensure it is working correctly and that the water warms up as expected. Finally, turn the shower off completely and carefully watch the shower head to ensure that the dripping has stopped.

Goal: Restore Water and Test for Leaks

  • It may take a minute or two for the hot water to reach the shower as the lines refill.
53.1K views1715 minutes
This Old House

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FAQs

What if my old shower cartridge is really stuck and won't come out, even with pliers?

A cartridge puller tool specifically designed for your faucet brand (e.g., Moen, Delta) is highly recommended for stubborn cartridges. Using the correct tool prevents damage to the valve body, which is a much more complex repair. Applying penetrating oil and letting it sit for a bit can also help loosen corrosion.

Why is shutting off the water supply so crucial, and what happens if I forget?

Shutting off the water supply, either at the main or the specific shower valve, is the most critical safety step to prevent flooding. Forgetting this will result in a high-pressure stream of water when you remove the cartridge, potentially causing significant water damage and a very messy situation. Always double-check by briefly turning on another faucet after shutting off the main supply.

Is the estimated 2-hour time frame realistic for someone with no DIY experience?

The 2-hour estimate is achievable for someone with basic DIY skills and the right tools readily available. For a complete beginner, it's wise to budget 3-4 hours, especially if you encounter stubborn parts, need to read instructions carefully, or have to make a trip to the store for a specific tool. Take your time to avoid mistakes.

Do I need a special 'cartridge puller' tool, or can I just use regular pliers for extraction?

While some cartridges might come out with regular pliers, many, especially older or corroded ones, require a specialized cartridge puller tool. This tool grips the cartridge more effectively and minimizes the risk of breaking internal plastic components or damaging the valve body, which would lead to a much more expensive repair. It's a worthwhile investment if your cartridge is stuck.

Transcript
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Let's go turn our water back on and see how she does. Alright, let's see if we can make this work. See if you guys can hang out in the shower with me. Boy, if my wife finds out that I'm putting myself in the shower on YouTube. Oh, she'd be so jealous. I'm gonna turn the shower head back into the corner so it's not spraying on us. So now it's off. So that's on. We got flow anyway. Almost seemed like it hesitated for a second but it made the air lines. So that's on full cold. Now we'll crank it full hot. We'll see if it warms up or not. It's gonna take about a minute to warm up so I'll turn you back on. Alright, I can feel it starting to warm up now. That's comfortably hot. That's enough that you take a good hot shower. Getting hotter. Getting more towards, I would say, you know, venturing on the uncomfortably hot line. Which with your hands is a little easier sometimes. You know, you guys are learning that obviously. Getting in a shower or a test of temperature with your hands feels good when you step in. It feels like you're in a scorcher because you just get more of it there. Yeah, that's plenty hot. Yeah. That'll do. Turn it off. No drips. No drips. There's a little bit of dripping maybe just from the shower head itself. But not like before. You guys saw it before, steady drip all day every day. So it's early, but I call it fixed, call it done.

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