I am ordering my third cartridge in 10 months from Pfister for a "Rancho" model single handle shower valve. Contractor installed - cold side will get down to a literal trickle, but you hit the cutover point turning up the single handed lever, and hot has full pressure. Cant imagine the cartridges keep failing but contractor says thats what it is. Any ideas? We are on well water, but no other faucet, aerator or anything else has had to be addressed. Only cold side shower (single handle valve), and this is cartridge 3. Lived in last house 11 years on well water and never replaced a cartridge. Any input is appreciated.
Low Pressure, Cold Side Only - Shower
- Thread starter skwfarms
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John Gayewski
In the Trades
Modern single handle cartridges are pressure balanced. The hot and cold water pressure is balanced with a spool that slides back and forth inside of the cartridge. So if water is trickling out there is a restriction somewhere or the spool is stuck. Check that all valves in t plumbing system have been fully opened. If the valves are open there's either junk in the water line or the spool is sticking.
Does the cartilage work for a while and then go bad?
Does the cartilage work for a while and then go bad?
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Thanks for the reply. Will test your suggestions tonight. Yes each cartridge has gone prob 4 months then issue comes back
John Gayewski
In the Trades
If the issue is going away for a time and then coming back it sounds like you have a gunk problem. Have you noticed and solids in your water fixtures? Or areators that clog up?
No sir. New build and havent had any issues with any other aerator or pressure. Called Pfister and they are sending their second warranty cartridge. Gave me no trouble and said it’s a common issue. Once receive the new one will try and evaluate the current one. Thanks
Jeff H Young
In the Trades
if cartridge fixed problem twice it should do the trick again. only thing I could sugest is blast out the valve by running water though with cartridge removed carefully of cource it can get water all over
Thank you guys for the input. Cartridge to arrive today. Have to think it shouldn't foul cartridges every 3-4 months unless their just trash. But Pfister has been super helpful just dont think Im getting to the root cause…..
