Is your Price Pfister 2-handle kitchen faucet leaking or dripping continuously, despite your best efforts to stop the flow? Do you struggle to adjust the water temperature just right? The problem is likely with the cartridge of your Price Pfister double-handle faucet.
Replacing the worn-out cartridge of your Price Pfister faucet is one of the easiest repairs you can do to restore proper functioning and stop the leak of the faucet.
Here is my step-by-step DIY process to replace the cartridge in Price Pfister 2-handle kitchen faucet.
- Understanding The Price Pfister 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet
- How To Replace Cartridge In Price Pfister 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet?
- How Do I Clean My Pfister Faucet Cartridge?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Understanding The Price Pfister 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet
The Price Pfister two-handle kitchen faucet comes with a traditional design. To control hot and cold water, you get separate handles that prevent accidental burns by hot water.
To control the flow of water, the Price Pfister faucet uses a cartridge. The cartridge is placed inside the handle. The cartridge is a small cylindrical piece that is made of plastic or brass. With time, the cartridge wears out and is not able to control the flow of water.
To replace the cartridge, you should be able to identify the right cartridge for your Price Pfister faucet. On the Price Pfister site, search the faucet by model number and you will find the right cartridge for the faucet.
How To Replace Cartridge In Price Pfister 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet?
If you are going to replace your Price Pfister 2-handle kitchen faucet cartridge, these steps will help you.
Step 1 – Gathering Tools and Materials
- Adjustable wrench or channel locks
- Screwdriver (Phillips or flathead depending on your faucet)
- Needle-nose pliers
- Penetrating oil (such as WD-40) to help loosen corroded parts
- New cartridge for your Price Pfister 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet (make sure to get the correct one based on the model number)
- Plumbers grease (to lubricate the new cartridge and ensure smooth operation)
- Clean rags or towels (to clean up any spills or messes)
- Bowl or bucket (to catch any water that may spill during the process)
Step 2 – Removing The Old Cartridge in Price Pfister 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet
To replace the cartridge in the Price Pfister double-handle kitchen faucet, first, you need to remove its old cartridge. Follow the below steps to remove the old cartridge.
Turn off the Water Supply
To begin removing the old cartridge process, turn off the water flow to the faucet. You can do it by turning off the water valve under the sink. If there is no valve, turn off the main water valve of the house.
Remove The Handle
To remove the old cartridge, you need to remove the handle of the faucet. There are 2 handles in the Price Pfister 2-handle faucet. If you need to replace the faucet cartridge in both handles then you need to remove both.
Find the set screw on the faucet handle. It will be either at the side of the handle or the underside of the handle. It may be hidden behind the cap. Remove the cap and use a screwdriver to remove the set screw. To loosen the screw, turn the screwdriver in the counterclockwise direction.
After removing the screw, gently wiggle the handle to pull it out. Be careful and don’t force the handle otherwise, you may break the handle.
Remove The Retaining Clip
A retaining clip is a small metal part that is used to hold the cartridge in its place. It is usually located at the top of the cartridge.
You need to remove the retaining clip. For this, use a screwdriver or plier. This clip will be reused with the new cartridge so pull it safely without breaking it and keep it aside.
Remove The Cartridge
Now cartridge is visible after removing the retaining clip. This cartridge is damaged so there is no need to take care of the cartridge. Take a plier and pull the cartridge outside.
Maybe the cartridge is stuck and won’t come out easily. Take a cartridge puller tool to remove it. This tool is designed to remove the stuck faucet cartridge. You can get a cartridge puller from any hardware store.
Step 3 – Replace The Old Cartridge With a New One
Install The New Cartridge
Now you have removed the old cartridge from the Price Pfister 2-handle kitchen faucet. It’s time to install the new cartridge. You can get the new cartridge from your nearby hardware store or the Price Pfister website.
Now place the new cartridge in the place of the old one. For proper fitting of the cartridge, match the cartridge’s notches with the housing’s notches. The cartridge should fit tightly and completely inside the housing.
Secure The Cartridge
Now take the retaining clip that you have kept aside. Place the clip on the top of the cartridge and press it until it is fully engaged and the cartridge comes into a lock position.
It will securely hold the cartridge in the right place. If you don’t fit the cartridge properly, water will leak from the faucet.
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Reattach Faucet Parts
After replacing the cartridge in the Price Pfister 2-handle kitchen faucet, reattach the handle.
Before tightening the screw, align the handle at the right position and check all parts are properly attached at their actual position. Now turn the screwdriver in a clockwise direction to tighten the screw. Turn on the water supply.
How Do I Clean My Pfister Faucet Cartridge?
If your Price Pfister kitchen faucet cartridge is not damaged, you can reuse it after cleaning it.
Mineral buildup and debris can gather in your faucet cartridge over time. These buildups affect the performance of the cartridge. Here are steps to clean the cartridge of the Price Pfister faucet.
- Remove the Price Pfister faucet handle to access the cartridge. Follow the above steps to remove the handle.
- Remove the retaining clip from over the cartridge and pull the cartridge outside.
- To release the cartridge from the faucet body, you need to wiggle it back and forth.
- To remove the mineral deposit, soak the cartridge in a vinegar and water solution for several hours or overnight.
- To remove any leftover dirt or buildup, scrub the cartridge with a soft-bristled brush.
- When the cartridge has soaked, scrape away any leftover dirt or buildup with a soft-bristled brush. Use a brush that will not scratch the cartridge’s surface.
- Thoroughly rinse the cartridge with clean water. Rinse the cartridge well with clean water to remove any remaining vinegar or dirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Any Cartridge?
No, you shouldn’t use any random cartridge for the Price Pfister 2 Handle Kitchen Faucet. Every faucet model has its own cartridge. By using the wrong cartridge, either the faucet will leak or the water temperature won’t be stable. With a properly fitting cartridge, the faucet will work properly.
How Often Do I Need To Replace The Cartridge?
There is no such time period for replacing a cartridge. You should replace the cartridge when there is any leakage or temperature or water pressure issue with the faucet. How long the cartridge runs will depend on the quality of the water and how well you use the faucet.
Do I Need To Replace the Cartridge In Both Handles at The Same Time?
It is not essential but you should replace both cartridges at the same time. Because if you replace a single one, in a few months may be second one start causing issues. You need to repeat the whole replacement process again. Its cost is not high, so replace both at the same time.
Final Thoughts
This was the whole process for how to replace cartridge in Price Pfister 2-Handle kitchen faucet. By replacing the cartridge, you can restore the faucet’s performance and prevent further damage to the faucet. By following the steps from this guide, you can successfully replace the cartridge and make the faucet functional in no time.
Related Post – Why Low Water Pressure In Pfister Faucet?
James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.