Need Bathroom/Plumbing Part Finding Assistance (Not Kidding)

i'm trying to find a specific part to a tub/shower valve called a cartridge. This cartridge sits in the valve and is what the shower handle actually goes onto and controls the flow of water. The one our tub/shower valve is using is starting to break in a way that (and trust me, I tried without breaking it any further) needs a replacement, otherwise it'll keep the water running in a way that will raise our water bill to an amount that is very much ouch, and the last time something like this happened was from a toilet over at our grandparent's property whose tank kept filling up with water and the last bill from there (which is usually in the $20 min to $35 max range) went up to the low $100 range, so this is a genuine emergency (of sorts) to prevent our next water bill from going WAY up

This is the cartridge its using right now (ignore the little instruction paper in the 1st, needed a neutral background to use a part finding service which yielded no results)


This is the cartridge I bought from amazon which was the closest match I found

I did a side by side and even tried using it in the valve, but the versitech cartridge was too long to fit in the valve snugly, and overall was the wrong size entirely, so I returned it. I tried to find any sort of a part number on the old one so I could look it up, but I found no such number, even when using this hand sized jeweler's magnifying glass we got (used to be my grandpa's, Rest In Peace) to look it over, nothing. I need help badly, otherwise we'll have to replace the valve entirely, and tbh, replacing the cartridge (or attempting it) was honestly less work than what it'll take the replace the valve. I sent a support email to danco (the brand makers of the cartridge I got from amazon) and another to home depot, but i'd really like if this could be solved as fast as possible

Hi, Brokendaily.

I'm sorry to say, you may have a tough time finding the correct one without knowing the brand of shower valve you have.

If you have access to the valve, typically the back, look for a brand name, etched in the brass valve body itself. But don't be surprised if you find nothing. There are many, unfortunately.


You may also consider taking the stem (cartridge), to a local plumbing supply house. One that specializes in plumbing parts/ fixtures, not The Home Depot or Lowes. There they may have someone working that can identify it. but even this is a long shot, unless they have someone in the business for a long time.

It could also be the seats that the stem rest on, or even the O-rings on the stem itself. Bottom line there are simply too many variations, to identify, without knowing the make of the valve.


If the plumbing supply store can't help you, your only option is to change out the valve. I personally would recommend Delta, if you have to go this route.

I wish you the best.