Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "What's the difference (besides a slightly different look) between the VP1964 Non-Diverter and the VP1965 Diverter cartridges?"
A. The VP1964 Non-Diverter cartridge is used for all Valley "new style" single control kitchen and lavatory faucets that do NOT have a hand spray attachment. The VP1965 Diverter cartridge has a diverter in it to divert water from the spout to the hand spray when the hand spray lever is pushed. The VP1965 Diverter cartridge is used on single control kitchen and lavatory faucets with a hand spray attachment except for the Valley Hi-Style series. The Valley Hi-Style kitchen faucets use the VP1964 Non-Diverter cartridge because the diverter is located in the base of the spout and not in the cartridge. View a cartridge comparison
Note: The VP1964 Non-Diverter cartridge is also used for Valley "new style" bath/shower valves. This does not include the back-to-back or pressure balance bath/shower valves because a different style cartridge is used.
Q. "I don't know what year my faucet was installed or manufactured. How can I be certain what type of cartridge is in my faucet, the old style or the new style?"
A. There are two ways. One is to turn your water off, remove the cartridge and compare your cartridge with the pictures we show on our site. The old style and new style cartridges are very different in appearance and the stems (handle shafts) are very different. The other way does not involve turning your water off. You just need to measure the outside diameter of the bonnet nut. The outside diameter of the bonnet nut for the old style cartridge measures 1-15/16" while the outside diameter of the bonnet nut for the new style cartridge measures 1-11/16".
Q. "How do I remove the V6679 acrylic tear drop handle to replace it or change the cartridge?"
A. There is a set screw on the bottom (downward side) of the V6679 handle that needs to be loosened in order to remove the handle off of the V6680 cartridge stem. Use an 1/8" hex key (Allen wrench).
Q. "I just purchased the V1001 control assembly repair kit for my Old Style Valley single handle bathroom faucet. How do I install this kit?"
A. The V1001 kit also includes o-rings used for the repair of old style Kitchen faucets. When using this kit for bathroom sink faucets you will end up with three extra o-rings left over. These large extra o-rings would normally be used for the swivel spout, but Valley bathroom sink faucets do not have swivel spouts. Installation instructions are as follows;
1) Turn the hot and cold water supply to your faucet off.
2) Remove the handle (#1 or #2 in the old style parts diagram shown above) Use the allen wrench tool provided in the kit.
3) Unscrew the bonnet nut (#3 in parts diagram), leave the white adjustment screw at the top of the bonnet nut untouched.
4) Remove the cartridge (#4 in parts diagram) carefully. The cartridge will separate into 3 pieces. Try to notice very carefully how this cartridge appears when removed and try to keep this cartridge together because it can be somewhat of a puzzle trying to reassemble it.
5) After the complete cartridge is removed, remove the seals and springs (#5 in parts diagram) located underneath the cartridge in two separate smaller cylinders in the brass body. You may need to use a small flat head screwdriver to remove them. Be very careful not to scratch the brass internal cylinder portion of the faucet body.
6) Using your index finger and your thumb, install the new seals and springs (#5 in parts diagram) into the bottom of the brass body. The nylon insert side of the springs should be put down into the bottom against the brass body. The seals are placed on top of the springs as shown in this image. Gently push the seals down into the cylinder holes with your index finger. They will not sit all the way flush into the holes. They will sit slightly above the holes due to the tension of the springs.
7) The small o-ring provided will replace the small o-ring inside the cartridge on the triangular lower section of the cartridge. We recommend a food grade silicone grease be used to lube the o-rings. This will help keep the o-rings pliable for years to come. Do NOT use Vaseline, chap stick, or other petroleum based lubricants as these products will cause the 0-rings to swell and then dry up prematurely.
8) Remove the o-ring attached to the upper portion of the cartridge and match it's size to one of the other larger o-rings provided. Put the o-ring that matches closest to the size of the old o-ring and place it on the cartridge.
9) RE-insert the cartridge back in the body of the faucet. There is a tab at the top of the cartridge that will align up with a slot at the top of the body. This can be somewhat tricky as the tension from the seals and springs will keep pushing the cartridge up.
10) RE-thread (hand tighten) the Bonnet Nut (#3 in parts diagram) over the top of the cartridge and onto the faucet body. You may need to push down on the stem of the cartridge to push the cartridge down against the seals and springs as you HAND tighten the Bonnet Nut. The Bonnet Nut should thread easily on. Be careful not to cross thread.
IMPORTANT: Only hand tighten the Bonnet Nut. Do NOT use a wrench. Hand tighten until the bonnet nut is snug.
The tool provided has a couple of prongs that can be used to tighten the adjusting screw at the top of the bonnet nut. Since you are putting new seals and springs into the faucet you should not need to tighten the adjusting ring since the new springs should put enough tension against the bonnet nut to squeeze the cartridge tight against the springs.
11) Turn the hot and cold water supply to your faucet back on. Unscrew the aerator (#9 in parts diagram) and temporarily hold it in your hand as you turn the faucet on. Let the water run for 30 seconds and then turn off the faucet. This will allow any dirt or debris in the water lines to pass through the cartridge and not clog up the aerator. Replace the aerator and enjoy your faucet.
Q. "Should I use some pipe dope or thread sealant tape on the threads where the bonnet nut threads onto the valve?"
A. You should never use thread sealant tape or pipe thread compound on any threaded faucet valve parts. Single control faucets are designed with o-rings, fiber washers, and rubber seals to prevent leaks. When the proper parts are used, in the correct places, no other sealants of any type are needed.
Q. "How do I replace the VP1964 cartridge?"
A. You will need a phillips head screwdriver, an 1/8" hex key (allen wrench) if your faucet has a metal handle, and in some rare instances you may need a pair of pliers. You will also need a coffee mug, for step 7. We suggest you not throw any parts away during the replacement process until you are completely finished and satisfied with the replacement results.
1) Turn both the hot and cold water supply to your faucet off.
2) Remove the handle (#3, #6 or #7 and #25 in the new style parts diagram shown above) Use a phillips head screwdriver to remove acrylic handles. For metal handles you will use an 1/8" hex key to remove the handle off of the handle adapter (#9 in parts diagram) and a phillips screwdriver to remove the #9 handle adapter from the post of the VP1964 cartridge (#16 in parts diagram). You will need to reuse the #9 handle adapter and attach it to the post of your new replacement VP1964 cartridge.
3) Remove the bonnet lock ring (#11 in parts diagram) by pulling straight up.
4) Unscrew the bonnet nut (#12 in parts diagram) by turning it counterclockwise.
5) Now you should be able to grab the post of the old cartridge and pull the cartridge straight out of the faucet. The cartridge normally pulls out very easily. In very, very rare occurences, the old cartridge can be tough to pull straight out of the faucet. This is where you may need to attach a pair of pliers to the post of the cartridge to get more leverage as you pull the cartridge out of the faucet. Just remember the goal is to remove the old cartridge and if the old cartridge gets damaged in the process it's okay, you are replacing it with a new one.
6) Look inside the faucet cartridge shaft where the cartridge was removed and check to make sure the brass inside is free and clear of any dirt or residue from the old port seal rings (#17 in the parts diagram). The port seals are included with the new VP1964 cartridges and do not need to be ordered separately unless you lose one. If there is any black residue, we recommend using some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to wipe it clean. Do not use any abrasive product in the cartridge shaft.
7) At this point, you should flush out the internal pipes before installing the new cartridge. When the water supply valves are shut off, sediment and debris can accumulate at the valves. Since you will need to turn on both the hot and cold water to flush out the debris, we suggest two people be involved for this process. Have one person place a coffee mug over the cartridge shaft, while the other person turns on the water supply valves and let the water run for approximately 30 seconds to flush out the internal waterways.
The coffee mug will prevent water from spraying the ceiling or scalding someone who thinks their hand will suffice. After 30 to 40 seconds turn off both the hot and cold water supply valves. If you decide to skip this step, you may have to start the entire process all over again when the cartridge does not work correctly or you have a loss of water flow.
8) Insert the new VP1964 cartridge by sliding it back into the cartridge shaft and align the slightly protruding tab on the top side of the cartridge with the slot at the top of the cartridge shaft. Make sure the cartridge is pushed and seated all the way and the tab is resting inside the slot.
9) Re-thread (hand tighten) the Bonnet Nut (#12 in the parts diagram) over the top of the cartridge shaft and turn the bonnet nut clockwise. Make sure the cartridge tab does not slip out of the slot while tightening. The bonnet nut should thread on easily. Be careful not to cross thread.
IMPORTANT: Only hand tighten the Bonnet Nut. Do NOT use a wrench. Hand tighten until the bonnet nut is snug. Do NOT use any pipe thread sealant on the threads where the bonnot nut is screwed onto.
10) Reattach your handle.
11) Turn the hot and cold water supply to your faucet back on. Unscrew the aerator (#19 in parts diagram) from the spout and temporarily hold it in your hand as you turn the faucet on. Let the water run for 30 seconds and then turn off the faucet. This will allow any dirt or debris in the water lines to pass through the cartridge and not clog up the aerator. Check the aerator and clean out any debris that was previously collected in the screen. Replace the aerator and enjoy your faucet.
