How cartridge identification works — from a photo.

Not the install. Not the order. Not the shipping. The identification is what turns a two-second call into a supply-house detour, a wrong return trip, or an argument at the counter.

CartridgeID is a service built around that specific problem. Snap a photo of the cartridge — installed or removed — and our plumbing specialists identify the exact model. We quote the aftermarket replacement from our trusted suppliers and ship direct to your jobsite.

Identification is free. You only pay if the price works and you place the order.

Our specialists work in a specific order: type and mechanism first, then handles served, total length, body diameter, stem broach, threading pattern, seal arrangement, and any visible manufacturer stamps. Most cartridges narrow to a handful of candidates after the first four checks — threading pattern and stem broach usually settle the final call.

The candidate list differs by fixture. Faucet cartridge identification leans on outlet pattern and overall length, while shower valve cartridges bring in pressure-balance spools and thermostatic bodies that come out in pieces.

For the deep dive on what specialists check and why, see our full identification process page.