# Which faucet cartridge do I have? Find the brand, the retainer and the model number before you buy

> Find the brand first, then the retainer: Moen 1225 under a copper clip, 1255 under a nut, Delta RP50587 under a bonnet nut. Then take the old one with you.

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| Source | https://ownerspec.com/plumbing/guides/which-faucet-cartridge-do-i-have/ |
| Publisher | OwnerSpec (https://ownerspec.com/) |
| Published | 2026-09-30 |
| Updated | 2026-09-30 |
| Facts verified | 2026-09-30 |
| Disclosure | Contains affiliate links. OwnerSpec may earn a commission at no cost to the reader. |

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## Short answer

A dripping faucet or a shower that will not shut off is almost always the cartridge, and the right cartridge is chosen by brand and retainer, not by looks. Find the brand first. Moen prints a series number on the back of the spout on non-pullout faucets and, on newer models, a tag on the supply lines; Pfister puts a product label on the supply line or shank under the sink; Delta's Product Identifier Tool walks you to the parts diagram by questionnaire. Then look at what holds the cartridge in. Moen's kitchen index lists the 1225 under a U-shaped copper clip (single-handle faucets from 1981) and the 1255 family under a retainer nut (after 2009). Delta's DIAMOND Seal RP50587 sits under a bonnet nut, and Delta's 1300/1400 showers take a white-cap cartridge while 13/14 showers take a grey-cap one that Delta says is not interchangeable. Shut the supply off, pull the old cartridge, and take it to the counter.

## Fact sheet

- **Answer:** A dripping faucet or a shower that will not shut off is identified by brand and retainer, not by looks. Moen's copper-clip 1225 dates from 1981 and its nut-held 1255 family from after 2009; Delta's DIAMOND Seal RP50587 sits under a bonnet nut, and Delta's white-cap and grey-cap shower cartridges are not interchangeable. Find the model number where each maker prints it, shut the water off, pull the old cartridge, and take it with you.
- **Basis:** Moen's kitchen cartridge index (retainer type and introduction year per cartridge), Moen's model-number FAQ, Delta's RP50587, 48027 and 112498 instruction sheets, Delta's warranty and contact pages, Pfister's support pages and Kohler Assist's model-number article.
- **Assumptions:** Kohler's faucet pages, American Standard's FAQ bodies and Home Depot's Glacier Bay service page did not load this session, so those brands carry only what was readable: Kohler's general model-number article and nothing for the other two.; The replacement steps are Moen's 1225 bathroom procedure and Delta's RP50587, 1300/1400 and 13/14 shower, and two-handle stem sheets. Other makers' sheets were not read; follow the sheet in the box.; Puller fit statements come from the Amazon listing titles only. No maker page read this session endorses an aftermarket puller.
- **Method:** Retainer types, part families and introduction years copied from Moen's kitchen cartridge index; model-number locations from Moen's FAQ, Pfister's support articles and Kohler Assist; the steps from Moen's 1225 article and Delta's three instruction sheets; warranty terms and phone numbers from Delta's and Pfister's own pages and Moen's kitchen index. All read on 30 September 2026. OwnerSpec pulled no cartridge and tested nothing.
- **Primary source:** [Moen Solutions, Faucet Cartridges: Kitchen](https://solutions.moen.com/Article_Library/Faucet_Cartridges:_Kitchen) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- **Facts verified:** 2026-09-30
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-30
- **Canonical URL (cite this):** https://ownerspec.com/plumbing/guides/which-faucet-cartridge-do-i-have/

If you already have the old cartridge out and the brand on the spout, skip to the [Moen](/plumbing/parts/moen-cartridge-1225-1222-1200-by-faucet/) or [Delta](/plumbing/parts/delta-faucet-cartridge-by-model/) parts page: this page is for the reader who does not yet know which of the two look-alike brass cartridges is in the wall.

## Which brand is it, and where is the model number?

The model number is on paper more often than on the faucet. Moen says the exact model number is on the box or instruction sheet, and that the series number on the faucet itself may not be the exact model, but works with its Replacement Part Locator and a photo.

| Brand | Where the maker says to look | Main cartridge families the maker lists | Warranty and parts contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moen | Back of the spout on non-pullout faucets (series number); a model tag on the supply lines on some newer models; the box or instruction sheet | 1225 (copper clip, 1981); 1255, 160657, 150257 and 205013 (retainer nut, after 2009); 40002 and 4000 (hexagonal brass nut); 210381 (brass nut with two flats, 2022); 1224 and 1234 two-handle (nut) | 1-800-BUY-MOEN, per Moen's kitchen cartridge index |
| Delta | Model number search or the Product Identifier Tool questionnaire on deltafaucet.com, which leads to the parts diagram | RP50587 DIAMOND Seal ceramic valve (bonnet nut); RP70 and RP212 stainless ball assemblies for non-DST single-handle faucets; RP19804 (white cap) and RP46074 (grey cap) shower cartridges; RP47422 and RP54801 two-handle stem units | 1-800-345-DELTA (3358), Mon-Fri 8-6 and Sat 9-6 EST, or the contact form; receipt and model number needed |
| Pfister | A label on the supply line or shank under the sink carries the product number; the format is like F-529-7AYY, also on the packaging and below the product name in the manual | Cartridge lookup by type and dimensions on Pfister's parts page; no family names read this session | 1-800-PFAUCET (1-800-732-8238), Mon-Fri 7-4 and Sat 6:30-2:30 PST, or photos through the Contact Us form |
| Kohler | Box label, product literature, invoice or receipt, or stamped on the product, per Kohler Assist | Not read: Kohler's faucet page did not load | Not verified: Kohler's warranty and parts pages blocked this session |

American Standard's FAQ articles rendered empty and Home Depot's Glacier Bay service page returned 403, so neither brand gets a row: the model-number location and the parts contact for both could not be confirmed from a maker page.

Delta's warranty page gives original purchasers a lifetime limited warranty on residential faucet parts for as long as they own the home, for faucets manufactured after 1 January 2019, with labor excluded. That makes the model number worth ten minutes of searching: a cartridge with a receipt behind it is a phone call, not a purchase.

## What kind of cartridge is it?

A cartridge is the removable unit inside the valve body that opens, closes and mixes the water; replacing it is the repair for a drip. Makers describe their own types, and the retainer is the fastest tell.

| Type, as the maker names it | What holds it and how to spot it | Maker example |
|---|---|---|
| Moen single-handle cartridge, copper clip | A U-shaped copper clip slides across the top of the cartridge; the stem turns 90 degrees to release | Moen 1225, listed by Moen since 1981 |
| Moen single-handle cartridge, retainer nut | A retainer nut, a hexagonal brass nut or a brass nut with two flats threads onto the valve body | Moen 1255 family (after 2009), 40002 and 4000, 210381 |
| Delta DIAMOND Seal ceramic valve | A bonnet nut, tightened with a wrench; Delta calls it a ceramic valve with no repairable parts inside, 2-1/2 inches overall | Delta RP50587, for DST kitchen and lavatory faucets |
| Delta stainless ball assembly | The single-handle mechanism on Delta's non-DST faucets, listed as a ball rather than a cartridge | Delta RP70 (lever) and RP212 (knob) |
| Delta pressure-balance shower cartridge | A brass bonnet unscrews counterclockwise after the handle and sleeve come off; the cap color names the series | Delta RP19804 (white cap, 1300/1400) and RP46074 (grey cap, 13/14) |
| Delta two-handle stem unit | A bonnet nut over a stem unit, one per handle, with tabs that must align on reinstall | Delta RP47422 and RP54801 |

Two-handle faucets from other makers are often described as compression stems, but no maker page read this session defines that term, so this page uses Delta's wording, stem unit, and leaves the general definition to the sheet in your faucet's box.

Delta's sheet 48027 is the reason the cap color matters: the white-cap RP19804 and the grey-cap RP46074 are not interchangeable, and both are Delta parts that fit a Delta valve. The brand alone does not name the cartridge.

## How do you replace a faucet cartridge?

The steps below are Moen's 1225 bathroom procedure and Delta's sheets 64211, 48027 and 112498 laid side by side. Both makers begin the same way, and the differences are the retainer and the alignment mark.

1. Shut off both supply valves (Moen lists this first; every Delta sheet opens with "shut off water supplies") and open the faucet to drain it.
2. Remove the handle. Moen says to have pliers and a flathead screwdriver ready; on a Delta shower, pull the sleeve off after the handle.
3. Free the retainer. Moen: slide the U-shaped copper clip out. Delta DST faucet: remove the trim cap, then the bonnet nut. Delta shower: unscrew the brass bonnet counterclockwise. Delta two-handle: unscrew the bonnet nut.
4. Pull the cartridge. Moen: turn it 90 degrees with the plastic twisting tool, raise the stem until it stops, and pull with pliers. Delta: lift the cartridge or stem unit out. If a Moen brass cartridge will not move, this is where the Danco 86712 puller earns its place; its fit for the 1200, 1222 and 1225 is the listing's statement, not Moen's.
5. Clean and flush the valve body before anything goes back in (Moen's step; Delta flushes after, see step 7).
6. Seat the new cartridge on its mark. Moen: tabs centered on the cut-outs at 12 and 6 o'clock, then the stem notch facing forward, turned 180 degrees if hot and cold come out reversed. Delta DST: guide pins aligned. Delta shower: the side marked Hot Side on the hot inlet. Delta two-handle: tabs aligned, and on the RP47422 the stops point toward the spout.
7. Put the retainer back (Moen: slide the clip in, do not force it; Delta: bonnet nut wrenched tight), refit the handle, open the supplies and, per Delta's shower sheet, flush the lines for one minute.

Delta's RP50587 page and sheet both say the cartridge has no repairable parts, so a DST faucet that drips gets a new cartridge, not a rebuild kit.

**Before you buy a cartridge**

Do not order off a listing title that says "fits Moen" or "fits Delta". Pull the old cartridge first and read the retainer: copper clip, retainer nut or bonnet nut. Then take the cartridge to the counter, or call the maker's line in the table with the model number and the receipt, since Delta's warranty covers parts for the original purchaser and Moen lists a warranty line for replacement cartridges. A puller is only worth buying once a Moen brass cartridge has refused the pliers.

## What should you do first?

1. Photograph the faucet, the spout back and the supply lines under the sink; Moen and Pfister both put the number there.
2. If Delta, run the Product Identifier Tool questionnaire; if Moen, use the Replacement Part Locator with the series number and a photo.
3. Shut the water off and pull the cartridge following the seven steps above, noting the retainer type as it comes out.
4. Match it on the [Moen](/plumbing/parts/moen-cartridge-1225-1222-1200-by-faucet/) or [Delta](/plumbing/parts/delta-faucet-cartridge-by-model/) parts page, or take it with you to the store.
5. If the receipt exists, call the warranty line before paying for anything.

## The picks

- **Danco Moen Cartridge Puller (86712), for Moen 1200, 1222 and 1225**: A Moen copper-clip cartridge that will not come out with pliers (Listed for the Moen 1200, 1222 and 1225 series; fit comes from the listing title, not from Moen) Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000DZH9I8/?tag=ownerspec-20
- **Sxtrrdnary 104421U-style cartridge puller, for Moen 1200, 1222 and 1225**: The same job with a longer screw-type puller, if the Danco is out of stock (Listed for Moen 1200, 1222 and 1225 series valves; fit comes from the listing title, not from Moen) Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9J5VRKQ/?tag=ownerspec-20

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is the model number on a faucet?

Moen says the exact model number is on the box or instruction sheet, that a series number may be on the back of the spout on non-pullout faucets, and that newer models carry a tag on the supply lines. Pfister puts a product label on the supply line or shank under the sink. Kohler Assist lists the box label, literature, invoice or receipt, or a stamp on the product.

### How do I tell a Moen 1225 from a 1255 without the model number?

Look at what holds the cartridge in. Moen's kitchen cartridge index lists the 1225 with a U-shaped copper clip retainer, introduced in 1981, and the 1255, 160657, 150257 and 205013 family with a retainer nut, introduced after 2009. The 40002 and 4000 sit under a hexagonal brass nut, and the 210381 under a brass nut with two flat areas.

### Is a Delta shower cartridge the same for every Delta shower?

No. Delta's instruction sheet 48027 says a 1300 or 1400 series valve takes the white-cap RP19804 cartridge and a 13 or 14 series MultiChoice valve takes the grey-cap RP46074, and that the two are not interchangeable. Remove the handle and sleeve and read the cap color before you order either one.

### Will the maker send a replacement cartridge for free?

Delta's warranty page gives original purchasers a lifetime limited warranty on residential faucet parts for as long as they own the home (faucets manufactured after 1 January 2019), with labor excluded; a claim needs the receipt and model number. Moen's kitchen cartridge index sends warranty requests to 1-800-BUY-MOEN, and Pfister handles lifetime-warranty parts at 1-800-PFAUCET.

### Do I need a cartridge puller?

Not always. Moen's 1225 replacement article uses the plastic twisting tool in the box to turn the cartridge 90 degrees, then pliers to pull it. Delta's sheets say to lift the cartridge out once the bonnet nut is off. A puller is for a Moen brass cartridge that has seized in the valve body, and its fit statement comes from the listing, not from Moen.


## Sources

- [Moen Solutions, Faucet Cartridges: Kitchen (part numbers by retainer type and introduction year)](https://solutions.moen.com/Article_Library/Faucet_Cartridges:_Kitchen) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Moen Solutions, How can I find my model number?](https://solutions.moen.com/FAQ's/FAQ's-Installation_And_Repair/Finding_A_Model_Number/How_can_I_find_my_model_number%3F) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Moen Solutions, 1225 Cartridge: Single Handle Bathroom Faucets (Prior to 2009), replacement steps](https://solutions.moen.com/Article_Library/1225_Cartridge:_Single_Handle_Bathroom_Faucets_(Prior_to_2009)) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, RP50587 DIAMOND Valve cartridge product page](https://www.deltafaucet.com/parts/product/RP50587.html) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, instruction sheet 64211 Rev A (RP50587 DIAMOND Seal cartridge)](https://media.deltafaucet.com/MandI/64211%20Rev%20A.pdf) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, instruction sheet 48027 Rev B (1300/1400 and 13/14 shower cartridges)](https://media.deltafaucet.com/MandI/48027RevB.pdf) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, instruction sheet 112498 Rev A (RP47422 and RP54801 two-handle stem units)](https://media.deltafaucet.com/MandI/112498%20Rev%20A.pdf) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, Single Handle Cartridges for kitchen leaks (RP50587, RP70, RP212)](https://www.deltafaucet.com/service-parts/find-parts-and-identify-product/common-parts/kitchen/leaks/single-handle-cartridges) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, Find Parts and Identify Your Product (Product Identifier Tool)](https://www.deltafaucet.com/service-parts/find-parts-and-identify-product) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, Warranty](https://www.deltafaucet.com/warranty) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Delta Faucet, Contact Us](https://www.deltafaucet.com/service-parts/contact-us) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Pfister, My product, part or problem is not listed (label location, parts contact)](https://www.pfisterfaucets.com/parts-support/troubleshooting/support-articles/my-product-part-problem-is-not-listed) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Pfister, Parts and Support (model number format, warranty parts line and hours)](https://www.pfisterfaucets.com/parts-support) (manufacturer or vendor document)
- [Kohler Assist, Finding a KOHLER or STERLING Product Model Number or Serial Number](https://assist.kohler.com/en/other-products/Finding-a-KOHLER-or-STERLING-Product-Model-Number-or-Serial-Number) (manufacturer or vendor document)

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Citation: OwnerSpec, "Which faucet cartridge do I have? Find the brand, the retainer and the model number before you buy", https://ownerspec.com/plumbing/guides/which-faucet-cartridge-do-i-have/, facts verified 30 September 2026.
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