Stem Help
There’s a wide range of terminology for what you may be looking for to fix your fixtures, so we broke it down to the common aspects.
Typically, you will need to measure the length of the stem and identify the broach size. (How many connecting points on the top of the stem or inside the handle)
Diverters
Compression Stems
Ceramic Disc Cartridges
Broach Size
- Broach sizes vary by design. Identifying how many points are on a broach helps narrow down the search.
- Tip: Use a black marker to mark one of the points. Then, using your fingernail, count each point around the stem until you return to the marked one. Some stems have as many as 38 points, so marking a reference point makes counting much easier and more accurate.
And yes, there is a lot more to know, but you won’t need it all yet. Let’s get more specific on search.
Compression Stems
- Often found in older-style faucets.
- They are typically made with brass & have a washer attached on the bottom. Turning the unit left or right causes the washer to compress against the seat, which prevents water from flowing out of your tap or spout.
- NOTE: Typically, if you have two lever handles, you will need both a hot & a cold stem, (clockwise & counterclockwise).
- Cross, Knob, and other handle styles may close the same direction.
Ceramic Disc Cartridges
- These similarly are used in two handle faucets to shut off the flow of water. They are usually brass or plastic & sometimes indicate hot and cold by the color of the washer on the bottom.
- Rather than a washer being pushed into the valve body, two ceramic discs inside the cartridge control the water flow. When you turn the stem one way, one ceramic disc will cover a hole in the other, which shuts the flow of water in your faucet.
- They can be either threaded into your valve body or pushed depending on the model.
- TIP: Before installing your new cartridge flush your valve body for a second or two. This allows debris in the line to clear out, which can damage the new cartridge. For easy future removal you can use a light dab of silicon-based grease on the faucet stem before installing.
