Yep, totally agree—replacing cartridges is usually the way to go. Most faucets these days are pretty modular, and manufacturers actually expect you to swap out parts rather than the whole thing. Another tip: don't just snap a pic of the cartridge itself, but also get one of any model or serial numbers stamped underneath or behind the faucet. I've been caught more than once with near-identical cartridges that looked perfect but had subtle differences that caused leaks or didn't fit quite right. Also, it's worth investing in a decent cartridge-puller tool if you're dealing with stubborn older faucets. Saves a ton of frustration and busted knuckles, trust me.
"Also, it's worth investing in a decent cartridge-puller tool if you're dealing with stubborn older faucets. Saves a ton of frustration and busted knuckles, trust me."
Yeah, learned that one the hard way myself—tried pulling an old cartridge out with pliers once and ended up cracking the housing... not fun. Quick question though: anyone else find silicone grease helpful when installing new cartridges? I've noticed it makes things slide in smoother and seems to help prevent leaks down the line. Curious if that's just me or standard practice for you guys too.
