Like many products, Delta monitor shower faucets have a limited lifespan, and problems begin to show over time. Most of these problems emanate from the mixing valve, where the rubber parts tend to wear out.
Your faucet may have complications if your shower is experiencing temperature and pressure loss, and/or leakage at the spout, knob, or showerhead. This guide will give you simple DIY repair instructions that won’t take you long to complete.
How To Service a Delta Monitor Shower Faucet
1. Identify the Problem
The first step in any repair work is identifying the cause of the problem. Issues will differ, and undertaking substantial repairs is impossible without finding the main underlying issue. Hence, find out whether it’s a leakage or heating issue, to ensure you find the right parts for the faucet.
2. Buy the Right Repair Kit
There’s a common mistake that most people make; buying the wrong faucet kit model. The Delta monitor faucets come in diverse models which have different specifications. Each brand has its own unique number, which you’ll find on its packaging. If you happen not to remember the number, measure the cartridge with a caliper to get the right size of the parts.
3. Find the Right Tools to Fix the Shower Faucet
It’s important to have your tools ready and ensure they fit the job. Because without an Allen key, it’s impossible to open the screws at the knob to access the cartridge. Most Delta faucets have either 3/32 or 3/16 inches Allen screws.
Other essential tools include a star screwdriver, tongue and groove pliers, channel-lock pliers while not forgetting the replacement kit and plumber’s grease.
4. Cut the Waterflow and Ensure It’s Completely Drained
It’s impossible to disassemble and repair the faucet without turning off the water. Locate the main shut-off point and shut down the entire water supply in the house. Open the shower taps and showerhead so that all the water drains. This also creates a dry working area.
5. Unscrew the Faucet Handle
Start by removing the trim on the handle, however, you’ll notice some Delta shower faucets come with trims while others have permanent handles. Use the correct Allen key and remove the two screws found at both sides of the handle. It will release a small cap that comes out first, followed by the handle and the temperature adjusting knob. Pull and twist the chrome housing carefully until it detaches.
Next, use a star screwdriver to adjust the two screws on the bonnet plate. Pull it out with your hands, but use tongue and groove pliers to grip if that doesn’t work. Remove the O-ring. It’s vital to put all these parts in a specific order to avoid confusion during assembly.
6. Repair the Fault on The Delta Monitor Shower Faucet Repair
If the fault relates to leakages and water pressure loss, you need a seat and spring kit for your Delta faucet model. On the other hand, change the mixing valve when it’s not delivering hot water.
A. The Faucet Not Delivering Hot Water
To repair this fault, you need to check the faucet mixing valve or the Rotational Limit Position (RLP). The valves tend to loosen with time due to high pressure and other variables. These valves are hard to reach since they connect directly with the wall plumbing. Hence, remove the cartridge by returning the handle on the brass stem and tilting it clockwise while pulling it from the plumbing. The cartridge will eject smoothly without damage, and the mixing valves will now be visible.
Use channel-lock pliers to pull the valves—don’t use force! Take your new valve, apply a bit of plumbing grease on the gaskets and press it back in with caution. Next, reassemble every part accordingly and ensure you replace the O-rings as a cautionary measure.
On the other hand, if the Rotational Limit Position is incorrect, it will not deliver hot water. So, check if the “H” on one of the cartridge valves links with the hot water stop. If not so, just interchange the positioning, and you’re good to go.
The price of a Delta shower faucet mixing valve is around $30. It’s a bit high because the valve and the cartridge are sold as one item, since the maker advises users to change both when servicing the faucet. Nonetheless, it’s still possible to purchase it as an individual item at your local hardware store.
B. Leakage and Lack of Pressure
To repair these two problems, change the seats and springs in the faucet’s cartridge. Remove the cartridge and pull the lower part. It will split from the main cartridge, and that’s where you’ll find a pair of seats and springs that easily slide out when you tilt the cap. Insert the new parts, but don’t forget to apply some plumbing grease on the seats to eliminate friction, which causes the seats to wear out frequently. Assemble all the parts back together by fitting the last faucet parts to be removed first in that order.
7. Test the Delta Shower Faucet
After assembling, it’s time to check whether the problem is solved. Proceed to turn on the water, but leave the faucet open to relieve any pressure when water starts flowing. Next, place the temperature handle in the hot and cold position to check if it’s delivering the desired water temperature. Check the pressure and see if there are any leaks. If all is well, flush the showerhead to remove any debris that you might have left behind.
Essential Tips in Delta Monitor Shower Faucet Repair
- Anytime your shower faucet needs a repair, the cartridge comes out. When assembling, you should ensure the Rotational Limit Position of the new cartridge aligns with the old one. It helps to ensure the raised stop is fixed in the hot water inlet so that cold water comes out first in the lower stop. The best way to go around this is by using a pen to mark the exact position of the RLP before disassembly.
- When removing the cartridge, do not use pliers or any tool that will cause damage. Delta has created a mechanism for easy retrieval using the main handle. If you fit the handle back in after removing the cover, bonnet, and the O-ring, then twist it, the cartridge gets attached to the handle and glides out with ease.
- The manufacturer recommends periodic servicing of the Delta Monitor shower faucet, especially if your water source has many contaminants. These impurities tend to clog the Delta system, which shortens its life span. But with regular maintenance, its longevity is extended.
Delta faucets are ideal for stopping hot water scalding, which can cause tissue burns. However, replacing parts on a faulty shower faucet shouldn’t be too complex. With this comprehensive guide, you can significantly cut down on costs by repairing your Delta monitor shower faucet.