What are these?
Hints :
- You might have one or more of these at home. You use it every day.
- It only allows a quarter turn (90 degree turn).
- Some turns clockwise, some turns anti clockwise.
Yes, these are ceramic discs cartridge, the key component for ceramic discs type water tap. It is commonly installed in kitchen and bathroom. These water tap comes in various design (handle, spout).
How the ceramic disc cartridge works
Ceramic discs cartridge controls the water flow with 2 ceramic discs. One is round in shape with 2 pizza pie shape openings. Another one is in bow tie shape, with pie shape at both ends to cover the 2 pie shape openings of the round-ceramic-disc.
The round-ceramic-disc stay still in the cartridge at all time. When user turns the water tap’s handle, the bow-tie-shape-ceramic-disc turn as well to open the valve, thus, water flow through. When the tap is turned off, the bow-tie-shape-ceramic-disc will seal off the 2 pie shape openings, stopping the water flow. As simple as that.
Changing the water tap turning direction from clock-wise to anti clock-wise or vice versa
There are 4 grooves at the inner wall of the cartridge’s cylindrical body, let’s name them as groove A to groove D, as shown in the picture.
The two ridges at the edge of the round-ceramic-disc sit in that 2 of the 4 grooves, as shown. To change the direction to turn on the tap, either from clockwise to anti clockwise, or vice versa, all we need to do is just re-sit the round-ceramic-disc with its ridges in the other 2 grooves. The bow-tie-shape-ceramic-disc must remain intact in the existing position. For example, let’s say the ridges of the round-ceramic-disc are currently sitting in groove A and groove C respectively. Use a tweezers, remove the round-ceramic-disc and re-insert it with its ridges sit in groove B and D instead. Remember; do not flip the round-ceramic-disc. Both ceramic discs must have their flat surface touching each other to effectively seal the 2 pie shape openings from leaking. Refer to the picture.
Install the red color rubber back at the end of the cylindrical cartridge. Now, try turning the knob of the cartridge, you will notice the direction to open the valve changed. For your information, some cartridges have only 2 grooves at the inner wall of the cylindrical body. Therefore, the open valve direction of such cartridge cannot be changed without further dismantling the cartridge. We will not cover that here.
The handle turns more than a quarter round and the water tap starts leaking
A brand new ceramic disc cartridge is designed to turn a quarter of a circle (90 degrees). This movement is governed by 2 long protruding metal at the inner wall of the cylindrical body, as shown in the picture.
When user turns the water tap’s handle to the max, the center rotating dial will knock hard on the metal. After pro long usage, the metal wear out (as shown in the picture), results in the handle turns more than 90 degrees. In such position, the bow-tie-shape-ceramic-disc fail to seal off the 2 pie shape openings (at the round-ceramic-disc). Water slip through the ceramic discs and starts leaking. In this case, the cartridge needs to be replaced.
How to replace the ceramic disc cartridge
In general, the handle is secured to the ceramic disc cartridge with a screw. Some water tap design hide the screw under a plastic cap that usually carry the company logo. Pry open the cap with a sharp object and unscrew the handle.
For the type of water tap as shown below, there is a tiny Allen key screw hidden right beneath the handle. Get a matching Allen key to loosen the screw. Be extremely careful not to lose that tiny screw.
Slowly, pull the handle out towards yourself. Again, make sure you don’t lose the tiny screw at the handle.
Remove the cylindrical cap as well. Now, the ceramic discs cartridge is visible. Use a spanner to remove the ceramic discs cartridge. Remember to turn off the incoming water supply main valve first.
Here you go.
Measure the size of the cartridge and place order for a replacement.
The black O ring
The black O ring at the body of the cartridge prevent water from leaking through the gap between the water tap body and the cartridge. Try removing the black O ring and this is what going to happen.
Protect the screw from rust
One common problem we encounter when we try to repair a water tap is that the screw rusted and worn out, making it extremely difficult to be removed. The entire water tap has to be replaced if we fail to remove the rusted screw. To protect the screw, simply cover the screw with some blu tack or grease, before restoring the cap, as shown below. That will prevent water that sneak in to the screw compartment from reaching the screw and cause the screw rust.
That’s all we want to share about the ceramic disc cartridge for now. Click here to learn how to install a bidet to your washroom.
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