How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Faucet Cartridge?

When my faucet kept on leaking like crazy, I could tell that the cartridge had gone bad. And I wanted to replace it immediately, but I needed to know how much does it cost to replace a faucet cartridge.

As it turns out, the cartridge itself is not very expensive – around $10-$80. But the rest of the cost depends on whether or not you will be hiring a plumber for it. Hiring a plumber will surely increase the cost by a lot, but even without hiring one, you will have to bear the costs of additional tools.

Here, I have provided the full breakdown of the replacement cost alongside an installation guide for you.

Reasons to Replace a Faucet Cartridge

Not sure if your faucet cartridge requires a replacement or not? Well, here are some reasons you shouldn’t ignore.

Water Dripping

The most common issue that you will face with a worn-out cartridge is that the water leaks from the spout. This is not only unsightly but will also increase your water bills in the long run.

No Temperature Control

When your faucet cartridge goes bad, you also fail to control the water’s temperature. Eventually, you will not be able to control it at all – so it is best to replace the cartridge.

Weak Stream of Water

Another reason why you should replace the cartridge is that the water pressure goes down significantly. The stream of water becomes really weak, and it won’t get strong until you replace it.

Beyond Fixing

You might want to fix the cartridge instead of replacing it, but it is also important to realize that it might be beyond fixing. So instead of spending on that, you should replace it.

Breakdown of Faucet Cartridge Replacement Cost

Here, you will find out how much you will need to spend when replacing your faucet cartridge.

With a Plumber

A faucet cartridge, in general, costs about $10-$80, depending on the brand and quality. If you hire a plumber, then that should cost an extra $100-$300, depending on your area and the plumber’s professionalism.

Without a Plumber

If you don’t plan on hiring a plumber, then you can replace it yourself by getting a $10-$80 faucet cartridge.

As for the additional tools, you will need to spend about $50 if you don’t have all of them already. You will have to spend this much if you plan on repairing the faucet cartridge without a plumber as well.

How to Replace a Faucet Cartridge?

So, how will you replace the faucet cartridge yourself? Well, here’s an overview of how you can do it without spending an extra $300.

Remove the Handle

If your faucet contains only one handle, then start by removing it. And if it contains two handles, then you will have to loosen the whole faucet and raise it to find the cartridge.

Remove the Cartridge

Once you find the cartridge, you need to remove it. It should be bolted using cartridge nuts – you need to loosen those and remove the cartridge.

Insert the Cartridge

Now, in the place of the previous cartridge, you will have to place the new one.

Tighten the new cartridge using nuts and bolts and make sure it is properly tightened before moving to the next step.

Reinstall the Handle

Reinstall the handle or tighten the faucet in its place once you are done.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the approximate cost to replace the faucet cartridge?

That depends on whether you are hiring a plumber for it or not. Without a plumber, it should take about $10-$130, including the cost of additional tools. And with a plumber, it will cost about $110-$380.

2. How do I know if my faucet cartridge is bad?

If your faucet is continuously leaking, or if the temperature cannot be controlled, or if the water pressure has gone significantly down, then your faucet cartridge has probably gone bad and needs to be replaced.

3. Can I replace a faucet cartridge without turning off water?

No, you need to turn off the water when replacing the faucet cartridge. Or else, you will not be able to make it sit in its place due to the incoming water pressure.

4. What happens when a faucet cartridge fails?

When a faucet cartridge fails, the most likely scenario is that the spout continuously leaks. At the same time, you won’t be able to control the temperature, and the water stream will remain weak.

Final Words

Knowing how much does it cost to replace a faucet cartridge will provide insight regarding how much budget you should have for it. Moreover, it also helps you decide whether you will hire a plumber.

But you should definitely spend most of the budget on getting a good faucet cartridge.