When is it time for a replacement?
It may be time to replace the whole faucet, especially if it is excessively leaking and leans more towards a vintage art piece than a functional faucet. However, faucet replacements can be very expensive, so attempting to fix the faulty parts is a good place to start.
If your faucet is leaky or dripping, you may be able to fix the faucet fairly easily. Squeaking noises, which the valve stems can cause, may need a coat of grease to resolve the issue. Low water pressure and irregular water flow may also indicate you need to do a few fixes within the faucet.
Determining the brand of your faucet is a key part of purchasing the correct replacement parts, as many manufacturers sell parts specific to the model. Start by attempting to locate the logo. Sometimes the logo is bold and easy to find, but sometimes, they are small and elusive.
If your faucet is dirty, give it a quick scrub to see if the logo emerges from beneath the dirt. If that didn’t do the trick, look on other parts of the faucet to see if the logo is tucked away.
Again, since manufacturers love to have you purchase replacement parts from them and only them, you’ll need to find the model number. It may be hanging out with the logo, but if not, check the spout, escutcheon, and the like.
Your next stop will be to determine the number of splines in the broach; the part fitted into the bottom of the handle at the top of the stem.
The number of splines, which are the grooves in the broach, may be able to point you in the right direction for identifying your faucet, which will help determine the proper cartridge replacement if needed. Spline and broach combinations that are commonly used together can be found here.
When you remove the broach from the faucet stem cartridge, make sure you have turned off the water to the faucet you are tinkering with, or things will get messy.
Once you have located the broached end, try using a faucet stem identification chart, which outlines cartridges, stems, and kits, and may be able to help you identify your faucet’s stem. Broach charts can help determine the manufacturer, and faucet stem identification apps may quickly determine the faucet stem.
Kitchen faucet DIY & how-to’s from American StandardSelect from our list of topics and you are on your way.
*Required Fields First Name Last name Role Email
RESET YOUR PASSWORD Enter your email address and well send you an email with a link to reset your password. Email
Remove the set screw in the handle with an Allen wrench and take off the handle. Remove the three set screws in the cartridge with a Phillips screwdriver and pull the cartridge out. View and match the cartridge to the parts you find on the website or in the plumbing parts book.
If your faucet does not have three screws in the cartridge under the handle, it is not an American Standard faucet.
Match the faucet visually using pictures from the companys website or from a repair part book (your hardware store or plumbing outlet will have one handy). Start by selecting the type of faucet it is (in this case a shower faucet) and search using this criteria. Visit the main website of American Standard Faucet and also select the type of faucet to begin. A list of repair parts will populate with your faucet.
Identifying any faucet is the first step in determining which parts youll need to repair the appliance. If you are wondering what type of shower faucet you have, and think it may be an American Standard model, the identification process is fairly straight-forward. It involves visual inspection of the faucet and the parts and simple matching of s. If you have some plumbing or home repair experience this project will only take about 10 minutes.
Look on the base of the shower faucet spout on the front. American Standard shower faucets have the words “American Standard” printed on them. If your faucet is corroded or has lime scale, spray with a cleaning agent and wipe it with a towel to make the letters legible. Or, locate American Standard on the trim piece surrounding the shower faucet handle.
FAQ
How do I identify an American standard faucet?
- The model number is printed on a tag that is attached to the cold water supply line of the faucet.
- The supply line is located below the sink, countertop, bath rim, or behind the bowl of a bidet.
- The model number, or part number, is typically preceded by “P/N.”
What model is my bathroom faucet?
How do I change the cartridge in my american standard faucet?
