Ceramic disk faucets are durable, but need repairing if they develop leaks or water flow problems. To fix a ceramic disk faucet, you can get new seals and replacement parts. Disassemble the faucet and take the old parts with you when you go shopping for replacement parts so you can get exactly what you need.
Equipment needed: Allen wrench, screwdriver, groove-joint pliers, an old toothbrush, and a replacement cartridge, if needed.
Turn off the water at the valve under the sink and turn on the faucet until the water stops running.
Be sure to drain all the water from the pipes to prevent a mess.
Loosen the setscrew with the hex wrench, and remove the handle.
If you can’t find screws under the handle, look under the counter below the faucet. (When ceramic disk faucets first came out, that’s how they were fastened.) After those screws are out, the cover and handle will come off.
Lift off the decorative cap.
Pull the decorative cap to access the ceramic cartridge.
Loosen the cartridge.
Use groove-joint pliers to loosen the cartridge.
Lift off the cartridge.
You can usually do this by hand. Use groove-joint pliers if the cartridge sticks.
Remove the seals on the bottom of the cartridge.
Use your screwdriver to pry the seals out.
Clean the seals and the seal seat area.
Use the old toothbrush to clean the seals and the bottom of the cartridge where you removed the seals. If you can’t get the sediment and buildup off of the seals or the cartridge, replace them.
Remove the O-ring from the faucet.
Use the screwdriver, to pry the O-ring from the inside of the faucet body.
Coat the O-ring with silicone grease.
Use your fingertip to apply a light coating of silicone grease to the new O-ring, and install it in the groove on the faucet body.
Reinsert the cartridge.
Replace the cartridge inside the faucet body and tighten with groove-joint pliers.
Replace the decorative cap.
Use your hand to tighten the cap so that you don’t damage the cap.
Reinstall the handle.
Use the Allen wrench to tighten the setscrew.