Plumbing - Chage Waltec faucet cartridge to another brand/kind?

The only reason the splines would strip in the handle is because you would not tighten up the screw when it came loose. Maybe try a lock washer on the handle screw. The cartridge you are showing is not an OEM cartridge but a cheap Chinese knock off so maybe try a real cartridge instead.

1) On some handles, the base is 2 piece. There's a small plastic spline section that can be replaced separately (if you can get it out of the handle)

2) Somebody is over cranking the handle, maybe to stop dripping. Make sure the washer and seat are in good condition so only low force is required. The washer is on the end of the cartridge. The seat is inside wall fixture (it's removable too). Sometimes the seat has a grove worn past so it can't seal (even with a new washer) and must be replaced.

l69norm wrote: ↑ 1) On some handles, the base is 2 piece. There's a small plastic spline section that can be replaced separately (if you can get it out of the handle)

This handle doesn't have a second piece. It comes in unibody. More and more I realize that this knob is simply the worst of any kind.

l69norm wrote: ↑ 2) Somebody is over cranking the handle, maybe to stop dripping. Make sure the washer and seat are in good condition so only low force is required. The washer is on the end of the cartridge. The seat is inside wall fixture (it's removable too). Sometimes the seat has a grove worn past so it can't seal (even with a new washer) and must be replaced.

Yeah. That's the exact situation. We live in an apartment building and very cautious about water flooding situation. Though, we do try not to over cranking the handle from now on since I have changed the seat recently.

I guess changing the faucet cartridge to another kind is out of question, huh?

If the seat and washer are both new, it should only need a small amount of force to close fully

The force should be nowhere even close to stripping the teeth in the handle

I think you should look around for other places to buy. I am in the same situation as you. The cartridge, especially the rubber washer is garbage these days for replacement parts. You can try to ask for original part but its hit and miss, I am usually desperate so I take whatever I can get.

Anyhow, I think what you are doing is the least headache. A quick and relatively easy process. Try this place for replacement parts, the guy is pretty knowledgeable and i find his prices better than Home Depot for parts such as this.

https://www.yelp.ca/biz/caam-united-har ... ed-toronto

l69norm wrote: ↑If the seat and washer are both new, it should only need a small amount of force to close fully

The force should be nowhere even close to stripping the teeth in the handle

Yes, this basically takes me back to my original question. If I have to replace Waltec faucet cartridge, why don't I replace it to another kind of cartridges that are more compatible with cheaper and sturdier handles.

It's really strange that nobody can't answer to my original question.

ludwig3 wrote: ↑ Yes, this basically takes me back to my original question. If I have to replace Waltec faucet cartridge, why don't I replace it to another kind of cartridges that are more compatible with cheaper and sturdier handles.

It's really strange that nobody can't answer to my original question.

No you can't change it to a different brand of cartridge because the threads will not be the same ... question answered.
You can change it to a Teck cartridge which is the commercial cartridge for Waltec which will fit your faucet.

ludwig3 wrote: ↑ Yes, this basically takes me back to my original question. If I have to replace Waltec faucet cartridge, why don't I replace it to another kind of cartridges that are more compatible with cheaper and sturdier handles.

It's really strange that nobody can't answer to my original question.

You know what, you are right. No one directly answered your original question. No, you can change to a different brand. I am guessing you would strip the threads trying to fit a different brand in.
Anyhow, I recommended going to the LHS i mentioned. Show him what you got and he will get you something better/help you. I am pretty sure its possible to order the original part too ?

pootza wrote: ↑ No you can't change it to a different brand of cartridge because the threads will not be the same ... question answered.
You can change it to a Teck cartridge which is the commercial cartridge for Waltec which will fit your faucet.

Can you please provide some info/link to what this Teck cartridge is ? I wouldn't mind buying a commercial grade cartridge for my unit.

fastmiele wrote: ↑ Can you please provide some info/link to what this Teck cartridge is ? I wouldn't mind buying a commercial grade cartridge for my unit.

An original Waltec OEM cartidge will have a slotted stainless screw to hold the washer on and a cheap replacement will have a brass screw. These are the commercial Teck cartridges as Delta bought out Waltec. Cambridge Brass was the commercial line for Waltec in the past.

https://www.amresupply.com/catalog/Cart ... E2G/402200

pootza wrote: ↑ An original Waltec OEM cartidge will have a slotted stainless screw to hold the washer on and a cheap replacement will have a brass screw. These are the commercial Teck cartridges as Delta bought out Waltec. Cambridge Brass was the commercial line for Waltec in the past.

https://www.amresupply.com/catalog/Cart ... E2G/402200

Thanks for the link. Could you approximate it how much more longer lasting this unit would be over the generic residential one's ? I usually get about a year out of one, then I get another replacement. I used to change the rubber washers, but the rubber washers these days are pretty lousy. Changing the rubber washer would last about 2 months before I would really have to start cranking up the handle to turn off the water. Two issues are Hot Water use, the cold water side rarely needs any change. The second issue is that the quite a number of people use it in the kitchen, almost all day long from morning to evening.

Just out of curiousity, what does the stainless steel screw that the brass won't do ?

thanks

Any reason why you can't change the faucet to something more modern?

fastmiele wrote: ↑ I used to change the rubber washers, but the rubber washers these days are pretty lousy. Changing the rubber washer would last about 2 months before I would really have to start cranking up the handle to turn off the water. Two issues are Hot Water use, the cold water side rarely needs any change.

Sounds like the valve seat needs dressing.

fastmiele wrote: ↑ Thanks for the link. Could you approximate it how much more longer lasting this unit would be over the generic residential one's ? I usually get about a year out of one, then I get another replacement. I used to change the rubber washers, but the rubber washers these days are pretty lousy. Changing the rubber washer would last about 2 months before I would really have to start cranking up the handle to turn off the water. Two issues are Hot Water use, the cold water side rarely needs any change. The second issue is that the quite a number of people use it in the kitchen, almost all day long from morning to evening.

Just out of curiousity, what does the stainless steel screw that the brass won't do ?

thanks

Can't give you an time frame on how long a Teck or an OEM Waltec cartridge would last (usually close to the life of the faucet) but working in the plumbing trade and working in an institutional setting for 25+ years I usually have to replace a washer every 2-3 years and replace a seat every 7-8 years. Might install a new cartridge when we replace a seat but normally just rebuild the cartridges. If I encounter a non-oem cartridge we usually just toss it and install a new cartridge. Cheap quality brass, lower quality build, terrible o-rings and not very good washers ... but that's what most people want now a days. For the price of the Teck cartidges I wouldn't recommend them as I don't have a problem with the OEM Waltec stems.
Hardly ever have to change a handle ... people sometimes like to change them just for a different look but usually the only time that you have to change them is when the handle screw comes loose and the user fails to tighten it up and leaves it sloppy stripping the splines in the handle.
The only reason I mentioned the stainless screw is how to tell the difference between a OEM Waltec cartridge and a cheap rip off but we never throw out the stainless screws and re-use them as they normally last forever compared to the cheap junk they make now a days. The stainless screw does have a slightly larger head though which may help the washer last a little longer.
Everything depends on the cost you can get replacement parts and the qaulity of those parts along with your water quality and the temperament of the people using the faucet.

Zamboni wrote: ↑ Sounds like the valve seat needs dressing.

+1, the seat needs to be changed

Zamboni wrote: ↑ Sounds like the valve seat needs dressing.

This may sound sad, but I usually replace the non oem cartridge and seat stay at the same time when possible. I don't think I have really seen any OEM Waltec cartridges or seat stays. The stuff they sell in hardware stores (Home Depot and Home Hardware) are pretty cheap. I thought I was smart by just replacing all of the parts at once, but it only saves me so much time. You get rid of all the used cheap parts and you put in brand new cheap parts. Limited results.

Now I am rethinking my strategy, I am going to my LHS and ask the boss if he can order an OEM Waltec cartridge and good seat stays.

I can tell the seat stays are not good quality, I take a magnifying glass and see the material is a bit rough. It doesn't look polished.