If your faucet drips constantly, the hot water will not shut off completely, or a handle slips past the point where it used to close, the cause is a worn cartridge inside the valve, and it is a part you can change from the top of the faucet with a few hand tools. Close the shutoff valves under the tub first so the drip stops while you sort out the part. On a brand new installation, a leak on first use can also be a supply connection the installer never tightened, since faucets ship assembled on the deck but not connected to the tub.

Likely Causes

• A worn cartridge. On the 2-piece faucet it is a single high-flow cartridge under the spout handle; on the 5-piece faucet the hot and cold valves each have their own cartridge. The faucet cartridge replacement guide covers both sets.
• A seal inside the valve that has broken down, which is usually what little black rubber pieces arriving with the drip are. A photo lets the team confirm which part is needed.
• A 5-piece valve that no longer seals when closed, so water keeps flowing from the filler with the handle off. See water keeps flowing with the valve off.
• A supply connection under the deck never snugged at installation.

What to Check, in Order

1. Close both shutoff valves behind the access panel. If the drip stops, the leak is at the faucet cartridge; if water keeps appearing, look for a wet supply connection under the deck.
2. Identify your faucet: one lever with a diverter button is the 2-piece; red and blue handles with a selector between is the 5-piece.
3. 2-piece cartridge swap: remove the decorative bolt cover, loosen the allen bolt, lift off the handle, unscrew the escutcheon plate and the brass locking collar, and lift out the cartridge. Fit the new one with its two guide posts in the receptacles, replace the collar without over tightening, then the escutcheon, handle and cover.
4. 5-piece cartridge swap: pull the red or blue cap, loosen the bolt beneath with an allen wrench, lift the handle, remove the plastic collar, and loosen the cartridge with a socket wrench. Clean any debris or scale from the valve body before fitting the new cartridge.
5. Open the shutoffs and check that each handle closes with no drip.

The video removes the bolt cover, allen bolt and handle, unscrews the escutcheon and brass locking collar, lifts out the old cartridge, seats the new one on its two guide posts, and rebuilds the faucet with red on the left for hot and blue on the right for cold.

When to Open a Ticket

To get the right cartridges or stems, open a ticket with your serial number, a clear photo of the faucet on the deck, and for a valve that lets water through, a photo of the handle in the off position with water visibly flowing. Ella faucets are covered as parts for the original owner, while non Ella faucets carry their own manufacturer's warranty and mineral fouling is treated as a water quality issue, as the warranty exceptions guide explains, so the photos let the team confirm coverage. Cartridges come through your Ella dealer or the team at ellasbubbles.com/support or (800) 480-6850.

Common Questions