I removed the bathroom tap cartridges due to a slow drip. I took them to the hardware store and bought replacement 0-rings that were too fat so I decided to temporarily put the old 0-ring back on and put cartridges back in. I did not take the 0-ring off the second cartridge. There's no marking on the faucet but cartridges look like Deltas. Anyway, turned water back on and taps work normal as before except now they have zero control over the water as it just keeps coming out full blast - hot and cold both. Older house and tap shutoffs are in the basement and also shut off tub and toilet. What did I do wrong?

if they are delta or delta knock-offs, there will be seats and springs down inside that the cartridges set against. the seats are rubber with round holes and also there are round holes on one side of the bottom of each cartridge. when the holes line up the water is on and when the holes oppose eachother the water is off.

The seals/springs may have inadvertently popped out or at least moved out of position when you removed the cartridges.

Based on your description, you've nailed this like a hole in one. Sounds like Delta set for sure. Both seats are still in place. Wondering if the springs ever get weak?

i always take the springs and stretch them a little. having the seats forced a little harder against the flat part of the stem is always a good thing..

It is almost IMPOSSIBLE for the water to flow the way you describe it, if the rubber seats are in place.

Thank you for your replies. New seats, springs AND cartridges and it is back in business. Water pressure is a lot lower but I'll take it. At least our tap doesn't leak anymore. Thank you all!



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