How to Fix a Leaking Delta 1400 Series Tub / Shower Faucet by Replacing the Cartridge

A couple of months ago, I noticed that my 1400 series Delta faucet in my tub/shower was leaking slowly. Not wanting to pay a plumber for the repair, I decided to complete a repair on my own.

While I worked, I captured the steps that I took on video so that other people who need to make a similar repair could use it as reference material. I inserted the video that resulted at the end of this post. For your reference, I'm also going to post the parts and tools that can be used to complete the repair. 

Parts You'll Need

Completing the repair requires very few parts. All you need is a new Delta 1400 series faucet valve. This is the one I got and it worked great:

• Delta Faucet Rp19804 Cartridge (paid link)

Alternatively, if you don't want to replace the whole faucet, it is possible to replace the seats and springs and see if that fixes the leak. This may save you some money if you're on a budget. I decided to replace the entire cartridge though just in case the leak wasn't related just to the seats and/or springs.

• Delta Faucet #RP4993 Seats and Springs (paid link)

The parts above are genuine Delta replacement parts, selected so that when you do the repair, you're using parts that match your faucet exactly.

Tools You'll Need

The tools that I used to complete the repair were similar to the following. I've chosen tools here that are well-priced but also have a reputation for being good quality, so you get the most value for your money. These are tools you can buy once and use for years and years:

• Picquic Multi-bit Screwdriver (paid link)
• I've had a Pic Quic screwdriver for years. They are well made and very useful. I use mine almost daily.
• Channellock Tongue and Groove Pliers (paid link)
• I love my channellock pliers - they're well built and useful in many situations.
• Flex Scraper (paid link)
• Newborn Brothers Hex Rod Caulk Gun (paid link)
• Dap Bathroom Silicone Rubber Caulk (White) (paid link)

Steps

To complete the repair, I took the following steps (as outlined in the video below). For your convenience, I've also produced a printable PDF of these steps.

1. Shut off the water supply to the tub/shower.
2. Remove the knob center cap.
3. Unscrew and remove the knob.
4. (optional) Unscrew and remove the backing plate. Only required if you want to re-caulk it.
5. Slide off the outside sleeve.
6. Remove the brass bonnet.
7. Remove the old cartridge.
8. Clean any debris from inside pipe.
9. Insert new cartridge. The cartridge is marked with "hot side" on the cartridge rim. Insert cartridge so the "hot side" is on the same side as the hot water line (usually left). At this point you may also want to adjust the rotational limit stop (see instructions included with cartridge).
10. Thread and tighten the brass bonnet.
11. (optional) Clean old calk from backing plate and wall. Only required if you completed step #4.
12. Slide outer sleeve back on.
13. (optional) Replace the backing plate and screw it in place. Only required if you completed step #4.
14. Replace the knob and screw in place.
15. Replace the center cap.
16. Turn the water supply back on and check for leaks.
17. (optional) Re-caulk the backing place if required.

Video

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