I have a single-lever Grohe faucet, been using it for about 5 years. Water drips from under the handle when the tap is closed. I heard you need to replace some kind of cartridge - is that something I can do myself or should I call a plumber?
In single-lever mixers, water leaking from under the lever is usually due to cartridge wear - that's the part that controls the water flow. After a few years of use, the seals inside the cartridge lose their tightness, and water starts seeping through. Good news: in most cases, you just need to replace the cartridge, not the whole mixer.
If you've got some DIY experience, you can try it yourself. First, shut off the water under the sink, then remove the lever (usually there's a small screw under a cover) and take the mixer body apart. Next, you pull out the old cartridge and get a new one - make sure it's exactly the same model that fits your Grohe. A new cartridge is pretty affordable, and the whole process takes about 15-20 minutes.
But if you're not confident or worried you might break something - better call a plumber. They'll knock it out in no time and give you a warranty on the work. The Grohe service centers will definitely help and find the right cartridge for you. Replacement usually costs less than buying a new mixer, so either way it's cheaper than replacing the whole faucet 😊
You can replace the cartridge yourself if you're not afraid to mess with tools - usually it's just three bolts and pulling out the old part, then the new one slides into place. I watched a video before I tried it, and with Grohe everything is pretty straightforward. The main thing is don't lose the small washers and seals that will fall out when you take it apart.
But here's what a lot of people forget: before you take it apart, you absolutely have to shut off the water under the sink, otherwise when you remove the cartridge, water will come pouring out like from a bucket. And also - buy the cartridge specifically for your model (the model number is usually on the faucet itself), because they're not universal. The cartridge costs next to nothing, but if you call a plumber, you'll end up paying way more.
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