Faucet Stems, Cartridges & Repair Kits

A dripping two-handle faucet rarely means the whole fixture is shot. Nine times out of ten the failure is a worn stem, a tired cartridge, or a flat washer inside it. Replace that one part and the leak stops. The trick — the only trick that matters — is matching the replacement exactly to the faucet already mounted on the sink.

This is not a one-size-fits-all category. Lasco (Larsen Supply) provides many universal and OEM-compatible replacements, and the right one is matched by length, broach type — such as 20-point or 16-point — and thread dimensions. Get any one of those wrong and the part won’t seat. So before buying anything, pull the old stem or cartridge and bring it along. The smart move is carrying your old unit to the store to compare size and thread count. That single habit prevents most failed repairs in this whole category.

For Montana’s older housing stock — and there’s plenty of it across the valleys and rural properties — this matters more than most folks realize. Two-handle compression faucets are everywhere in homes built decades ago, and a cheap rebuild kit fixes the drip without tearing out a working fixture.

Stem vs. Cartridge vs. Repair Kit

Three different fixes, three different faucet mechanisms. Knowing which one you’ve got tells you what to buy.

Compression stems are the seat-and-washer design — the classic two-handle setup. A washer compresses down into a seat to stop the flow. When that washer wears, the faucet drips. These are the parts that have been keeping older homes running for generations.

Cartridges work differently. They rotate, sealing with rubber O-rings and internal seals rather than crushing a washer. Single-handle faucets use these — one piece controls hot, cold, and volume together. The Moen 1224 cartridge (Lasco S-441-3G) is a short-type cartridge of this kind, made by Moen, USA origin. Western Building Center’s list also includes the Moen #1200 brass faucet cartridge and a Moen cartridge retainer clip 3-pack.

Repair kits rebuild what’s already there instead of replacing the entire unit. Installation often involves rebuilding the stem using kits containing O-rings, washers, and seats. Delta-style kits are a good example: the Lasco Delta repair kit for plastic handle, shower, and lavatory faucets contains a stainless steel ball, cam assembly, O-rings, seats, springs, and a wrench. If the body of the stem is sound, a rebuild kit is the cheapest correct path.

Brand Coverage and Ceramic vs. Washer

The catalog spans dozens of original faucet makers. The repair-kit category alone covers American Standard, Bradley, Chicago, Crane, Delta, Fisher, Gerber, Moen, Price Pfister, Sterling, Valley, and more across 84 items. Specific kits run the range — Delta cam kits and adjusting rings, a Chicago repair kit, combo kitchen faucet kits, and a cold-side Fisher stem and handle replacement kit (0-4205).

Then there’s the durability question: ceramic or rubber-washer. The ceramic category lists 50 products across American Standard, Chicago, Danze, Delta, Grohe, Harden, Price Pfister, Sterling, Wolverine, and others — including dedicated hot and cold ceramic stems and full ceramic cartridges. Ceramic resists wear and outlasts the old rubber-washer compression design. These parts are brass-constructed for standard residential and commercial repair. Brass body, ceramic internals — that’s the long-haul combination.

Hot vs. Cold — order the right side

This trips people up constantly. Many stems and cartridges are sold as dedicated hot or cold parts, not interchangeable. The ceramic listings split clearly — hot 24-point ceramic stem versus cold 24-point, hot Wolverine versus cold Wolverine, hot Sterling versus cold Sterling. Buy the side you actually need. Western Building Center’s stock reflects this too, with separate Delta Delex hot and cold one-knob assemblies (HC-110 hot, HC-111 cold).

What Western Building Center Carries

The lineup leans toward the brands that show up most in real repair calls — Delta, Moen, Price Pfister, and Streamway:

Item	Model / Code	Type
Moen #1200 brass cartridge	402214	Single-handle cartridge
Moen #0519 cartridge	S-764-3	Cartridge
Moen #0517 cartridge (no-lead)	S-814-3ANL	Cartridge
Moen cartridge retainer clip 3PK	401658	Hardware
Moen 1H cartridge puller	13-2125	Tool
Delta #70 faucet repair	0-2999	Repair kit
Delta Delex faucet repair	0-3009	Repair kit
Delta Delex Peerless kit	0-3019	Repair kit
Stem #263 H/C Delta	S-203-3	Stem
Stem #25513 H/C Delta 1/4-turn	403795	Stem
Stem #1051 hot Price Pfister (no-lead)	S-111-1NL	Stem
Stem #2052 cold Price Pfister (no-lead)	S-209-2NL	Stem
Diverter stem kit Price Pfister	0-2013	Stem kit
Washerless seals Price Pfister	0-2075	Seal kit
Stem #2351 hot Streamway (no-lead)	S1021NL	Stem
Stem silicone grease 450°	11-1027	Lubricant

Notice the silicone grease and plumber’s grease on that list. Don’t skip it. A film of waterproof grease on O-rings and threads is what keeps a rebuild turning smoothly and stops it from binding or chattering down the road.

No-lead matters on potable water

Several of those parts carry the NL designation — and that’s not decoration. Check that the product meets no-lead regulations and follow local plumbing codes. The no-lead versions are built to meet the no-lead standards for anything touching drinking water. Many brass parts also carry Prop 65 lead warnings. For a kitchen or lavatory faucet, the NL stem is the right call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which replacement part fits my faucet? Match by the original faucet manufacturer and model number first. From there, match the stem or cartridge by length, broach type — such as 20-point or 16-point — and thread dimensions. The surest method is to remove the old part and bring it in to compare size and thread count against the replacement.

Do I need a whole new stem, or just a rebuild kit? Depends on the condition of the part you pull out. If the stem body is sound and only the seals are worn, a rebuild kit does the job — replacing the cartridge or rebuilding the stem with kits containing O-rings, washers, and seats. If the stem itself is corroded or stripped, replace the whole unit.

Are ceramic cartridges better than washer-type stems? For longevity, yes. Ceramic stems and cartridges are industry-standard replacement parts available across many brands. Ceramic resists the wear that eventually flattens a rubber washer, which is why a ceramic cartridge typically outlasts a compression stem.

Does it matter if I buy the hot or the cold part? It does. Many stems and cartridges are sold as dedicated hot or cold pieces — listings split into separate hot and cold versions, like the hot 24-point and cold 24-point ceramic stems. Confirm which side is leaking and order accordingly.

What’s the basic install process? Shut off the water, remove the old stem or cartridge, then replace or rebuild it with the matching kit — and follow local plumbing codes. A dab of silicone or plumber’s grease on the O-rings and threads makes reassembly smoother and helps the part seal.

Where are these parts made? Most are USA-origin, manufactured by Larsen Supply Co. Individual product listings confirm it — the Moen 1224 cartridge, for instance, lists USA as country of origin.