Tried to save $40 by skipping the name brand shower cartridge

My shower handle started sticking last Tuesday and I figured I'd save a few bucks by grabbing the off-brand cartridge at the hardware store instead of the Moen one. Big mistake, it didn't even fit right and I had to take the whole valve apart again after I already had it all back together. Ended up driving across town to the plumbing supply house for the real part anyway and wasted 2 hours of my evening. Has anyone else had luck with generic replacements or am I just cursed with old plumbing?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryanj601mo ago

Big mistake" is right... maybe that old valve is just worn out too.

jasonc501mo ago

Tried swapping out the whole valve assembly instead of just the gasket on my old system. Fixed the leak and saved myself a second trip to the hardware store. Sometimes it's easier to just replace the whole thing.