Have You Seen a UFO — Unidentified Faucet Object?
Do you have a mysterious, unidentified faucet object (UFO) lurking in your faucet? Fear not! Our team of top-notch UFO investigators is here to solve the enigma of your extraterrestrial tap cartridge!
Snap some photos of your unidentified cartridge on a white background. Then, beam those images over to us via text message or email, and we’ll get to work researching the UFOʼs identity.
How to Identify a Replacement Faucet Cartridge or Stem
- Note its shape and structure.
- Measure the length.
- Measure the diameter.
- Note if it opens counterclockwise (hot) or clockwise (cold).
- For shower cartridges, identify whether the valve is a pressure balancing valve (usually has H and C, or Hot and Cold markings) or thermostatic mixing valve (usually has a Fahrenheit temperature dial).
- Note any branding and model number.
- Count the number of splines (ridges) on the top where the handle attaches.
Splines and Points
The metal stem at the top of cartridges has ridges called splines. The ridges fit into the corresponding grooves within a handle. The splines are measured in points. Each ridge or spline is one point. For example, a 16-point cartridge has 16 splines (ridges).