Delta Shower Cartridge Troubleshooting [7+ Easy Solutions] (2024)

It’s quite annoying when you experience several problems in your Delta shower due to a bad shower cartridge or valve now and then.

Cartridge won’t get hot enough, reverse in the functionality, stiff shower faucet, or the cartridge got stuck are those unpleasant issues that you often deal with.

Moreover, sometimes there is low water flow in the valve or even worse, there is no water in the shower.

So, it’s an obvious call for a complete Delta shower cartridge/valve troubleshooting guide to crack down on all the problems related to it.

That’s why we are providing a detailed guideline to assist you here. Stay with us till the end.

Quick Review Of Delta Shower Cartridge Troubleshooting

For a quick review, we’ve highlighted all the problems with the Delta shower & the suggested solutions within a short chart. Expeditious, take a glance at the below.

Delta Shower Cartridge Troubleshooting [7+ Easy Solutions]

Now it’s time to move ahead to the details. Keep reading thoroughly so that any confusion doesn’t leave behind.

1. Reversing Hot & Cold Water In The Faucet

In the Delta shower, sometimes, the users face the problem of reverse hot & cold on their shower valve. In this case, when you crack the shower open, you see a reverse in the functionality of what should be cold is hot, and hot is to be cold.

This happens because of the wrong installation of the Delta shower cartridge.

Solutions:

Follow the step-by-step instructions to fix this major cartridge problem without calling a plumber:

Step 1: Turn off the water supply valve of your shower.

Using an Allen wrench, take out the handle.With your bare hand or with gloves, put a good grip on the bonnet nut, and carefully remove it.

Step 2: Now all you have to do is pull out the cartridge, rotate it to 180 degrees, and put it back.

That’s all done! Now check the shower water and it should be fixed!

2. Delta Shower Cartridge Not Getting Hot

A perfect temperature of hot water is always welcoming to the shower. But often in the Delta shower, an unpleasant surprise occurs that the water doesn’t have enough heat.

Unfortunately, the Delta shower faucet doesn’t get hot enough due to the wrong installation or the wrong adjustment of the cartridge.

How To Adjust Hot Water In Delta Shower

Without any worry or any further hassle, just follow the only two steps described below.

Step 1: Expose the Cartridge

So, to fix the Delta shower cartridge with no hot water, first, turn off the water supply and take the handle off. Then, take out the bonnet nut. Now what you see is the cartridge.

Step 2: Readjustment/ Reinstallation

To adjust the water temperature to the cartridge, just pull it and turn it. Turn to the left side for hot water as far as you can get all the way.

If the cartridge is installed in the wrong way, pull the cartridge out and reinstall it. Ensure the H side is on the left side of the shower handle. That’s all! Now screw back the shower handle on.

3. Stuck Delta Shower Cartridge

For resolving the issues like Delta shower cartridge leaking or cartridge has gone bad, you want to take the cartridge out either to replace it or adjust it properly.

While fixing, the bigger problem starts when the Delta shower cartridge not coming out.Typically, due to corrosion buildup from hard water inside the shower valve, the problem happens.

When there are excessive minerals in the cartridge, it binds the plastic and rubbers parts tightly into the shower valve’s metal.

How Do I Remove A Stuck Delta Shower Cartridge

The solution is very easy. Follow some effective methods below to soften and dissolve the scale buildup.

Method 1: By Using A Cartridge Puller

Turn off the water supply line and remove the handle and then the trim plate. Remove the bonnet nut with an adjustable wrench or bare hand if you can.

Now you can access the cartridge. Now take the cartridge puller and slide it onto the end of the cartridge with a snug fit.

Take a screwdriver, tighten the screw all the way in and start twisting the puller until the cartridge is free to pull out easily.

Method 2: Use A Hairdryer

When the Delta shower cartridge won’t come out, a hairdryer can also be effective to have the fix done.

Heat the cartridge with a hairdryer for about 10-15 minutes and the cartridge will be loose enough to pull out.

Method 3: By Using Vinegar Or WD-40

In a spray bottle, take vinegar or WD-40 and spray it all over the cartridge.

Now leave the cartridge drenched with the solution for one hour. Once loosen, pull it out with a puller.

For a detailed idea or to explore more solutions related to this matter, you can check out our comprehensive guide to the Delta shower cartridge stuck. Hopefully, that will be a great help to you.

4. Delta Shower Cartridge Won’t Go In

Over time, you need to replace or repair the cartridge to resolve issues related to it. After resolving the issue, you might see that the cartridge is failing to go in.

That mainly happens due to improper lining up of the cartridge, using an unmatched model, or at times the lack of lubrication.

How Do You Put A Shower Cartridge Back In

Well, that’s not a hard task to be done. Just get the details from our article on Delta shower cartridge won’t go in. However, if you’re in a rush, briefly get the idea of solutions.

• At the first point, take the Delta shower cartridge and clean it up. Now lubricate the cartridge all the way including the collar top and O-ring with the plumber’s silicon.
• Clean the brass housing and the internal parts too with a soft-bristled brush and foam. Rinse it properly.
• Now try to put back the cartridge. Ensure you are putting it back in the perfect lineup and apply some pressure till it goes in properly.
• If the problem is with your new cartridge and still it’s not solved yet, then you may have brought an unmatched cartridge than your older one. Change the new cartridge with a matched one.

5. Delta Shower Cartridge Won’t Turn Off

In case of a loose shower faucet or a clogged cartridge can make the Delta shower faucet not turn off.

Another possibility of the new Delta cartridge won’t turn off can be that it isn’t seated properly or installed in the wrong way.

A bad cartridge can also be enough for the shower not to turn off and it needs to be replaced.

Solutions:

Here are the step-by-step instructions to fix the issue:

A Little Tightening:

When your Delta shower cartridge won’t turn off, a little tightening can help out for your shower.

Turn off the water supply and tighten the handle screw.

Unclogging:

If the tightening can’t work out, take the cartridge out and check it. if it’s clogged, use white vinegar to unclog the cartridge.

Make sure you’re soaking lime deposits of the cartridge on the vertical surface of the cartridge opening. Now put the cartridge back in the correct way and snugly to the housing.

Replacing:

If these methods can’t work out, the cartridge may be damaged. Now you may need to replace it to resolve the issue.

However, if all the above solution procedures seem hard to you, you may go through the detailed Delta shower faucet won’t turn off to crack down on the problem.

6. Delta Shower Cartridge Keeps Leaking

Worn-out O rings or not properly seated cartridges can make the shower drip water.

A bad rubber washer or a clogged cartridge are all the leading reasons for dripping water. A clogged cartridge prevents it from sealing, resulting in the Delta shower faucet keeps dripping.

How To Stop A Delta Shower From Leaking

• Turn off the water supply of your shower. Using an Allen wrench remove the shower handle. Now remove the bonnet nut.
• Grip the cartridge with pliers and pull it out. Inspect the cartridge closely to see if there are mineral deposits on it.
• If yes, soak the cartridge in white vinegar overnight. This will dissolve the mineral deposit from the cartridge.
• Change the O rings of the cartridge using a utility knife and replace it with one. Clean the valve housing and if any replacement is needed replace that one.
• One more thing, if the cartridge has a pitted or cracked sign you that it needs replacement.

7. Delta Shower Cartridge Is Not Working

In some cases, the cartridge is done with its life span and it’s time for a new Delta shower cartridge to resolve all the shower issues related to the cartridge.

So, to assist you here we will discuss all steps for replacing the shower cartridge with a new one.

How To Tell If The Delta Shower Cartridge Is Bad

Before replacing the shower cartridge, it is essential to know the signs of a bad cartridge to decide if it needs replacement. Here are some quick symptoms:

• Mixing up hot & cold water
• Dripping or running water
• Water not reaching the intended temperature
• Difficulties turning the shower handle
• Reduced water pressure

How To Replace A Delta Shower Cartridge

Step 1: Before replacing the Delta shower cartridge, you have to make sure the main water supply is shut off. Take an Allen key and use it to remove the shower handle.

• If the screw of the handle is calcified or you find it difficult to take out the handle, don’t force it. Use WD 40 and let it sit there for a little bit. Be cautious about not breaking the set screw. Because if you break it, you may end up buying a whole new set.

Step 2: On the next take the trim off and the bonnet nut also. Now using a plier take out the cartridge. Now take your new cartridge. Ensure the new cartridge is matched to the old one.

Step 3: While putting the cartridge, keep in mind to put the H side to the left side (usually the hot side is to the left). Now just slide the cartridge in the correct alignment.

You are all done. Put back everything in the shower in a reverse way.

8. Delta Shower Valve Low Flow

The Delta shower non-return valve maintains the water flow only in one direction from the source towards the showerhead.

Sometimes due to the faulty or sticky non-return valve, you have to experience a Delta shower valve with low water pressure.Damaged shower hose inlets or blocked inlet filters can also relate to the issue.

How To Increase Low Water Pressure In the Shower

• As Delta showers have different types of non-return valves, so to remove the valve from your faucet, follow the instructions in your Delta shower manual.
• Now look for debris in the valve. Using a pointed object, if you feel any rigid portion in the valve, then that’s the clog that is restraining the water flow.
• So to clean the clog, remove the non-return valve’s top part and the spring.

Flush both parts with water and clear them with a clean cloth. Now, put back the check valve into the faucet.

9. Delta Shower Faucet Hard To Turn

Due to corrosion build-up into the shower faucet, the handle becomes stiff to turn on. The issue isn’t too hard to deal with.

Just by unclogging the mineral deposit, you can fix the stiffness of a Delta faucet handle.

How To Fix A Stiff Shower Faucet Handle

• Your first attempt should be to spray WD-40 on the handle.In most cases, it can easily loosen the handle to turn.
• If it can’t formulate, turn off the water supply and remove the faucet handle of your shower.
• Place the faucet handle into a bowl and pour enough vinegar straightly on the handle that it can be totally submerged. Let the handle soak in the vinegar overnight.
• On the next day, take out the handle from the vinegar. Clean it with water and dry it.
• Now re-install the faucet handle. Before installing, grease the shower valve with a plumber’s silicon to remove stiffness.

10. Delta Shower Valve No Water

When your Delta shower valve has no water, it’s highly possible that the installation of the valve is wrong or there is a mineral buildup in the valve.

The worst can be that the valve has gone bad or has broken creating the issue in your shower.

Solutions:

Off the water supply and look at the installation. If the Delta shower cartridge is upside down, reinstall it correctly.

Unclog the mineral buildup with vinegar and water.

In most cases, replacing the cartridge can sort out the issue. But if the whole shower valve has gone bad, you may need to replace the whole valve assembly. So, to crack the issue, you must have soldering experience. This time, you can take the help of professional plumbers.

How To Maintain Delta Shower To Prevent Cartridge Problem [Experts Tips]

To maintain your Delta shower smoothly without dealing with problems, here we’ve highlighted some pro tips from Delta Experts. You can also check this out.

• Always blot dry the surface of the Delta shower. Letting the water evaporate on the surface may result in the build-up of limescale on it. To clean up simply wipe gently with a damp cloth & soft towel to blot dry.

• If you require any additional cleaning on the finishes, Delta allows household cleaners for this purpose like Formula 409, Fantastik, or Windex.

• Never use bathroom cleaner, basin/tub cleaner, or any bleach-based products on the finishes. Using these products causes cracks and several damage to the finishes. Anyhow if they got on the handle, immediately clean it up.

FAQs:

Wrapping Up!

Time to wrap up the article! Well, hope you have armed up with all the effective solutions to all the problems from our Delta shower cartridge troubleshooting guide. If there are any more queries, let us know through comments.

Thanks for staying tuned with us.