Sxtrrdnary RP46074 Compatible with Delta 13/14 Series Bath Tub Shower Faucet Single Handle Universal Replacement for Rough-in Valve Cartridge Repair Assembly Plumbing Parts

A leaky shower handle is one of those small problems that slowly drives you mad. I installed the RP46074 cartridge to quiet a persistent drip on a single‑handle Delta setup and to bring the temperature stability back to where it should be. After a few weeks of everyday use, here’s how it stacks up in the real world—installation, performance, and where it fits in the Delta ecosystem.

What it is—and where it fits

This is a pressure‑balanced replacement cartridge intended for Delta Monitor single‑handle 13/14‑series tub/shower valves (think R10000 and similar rough‑ins). It’s a direct drop‑in for valves designed to use an RP46074 cartridge. It’s not a match for older pre‑2006 1300/1400 valves that use the RP19804, nor for 17/17T dual‑control or thermostatic setups. If you’re not sure, pull your trim and confirm your rough‑in and original cartridge model before ordering—this prevents a lot of heartache.

The cartridge uses a brass core with reinforced plastic, includes a pressure‑balancing spool, and has a built‑in rotational limit stop to cap maximum hot water. It’s designed to maintain outlet temperature within a few degrees when household pressure shifts (flushing toilets, laundry starting, etc.), which is what you want in a basic anti‑scald shower valve.

Installation: genuinely straightforward

Time to install was about 10–20 minutes, most of which was spent coaxing the old cartridge out. Here’s what my install looked like:

• Shut off water to the shower at the main or at the integral stops if your valve has them, then open the faucet to depressurize.
• Remove the handle and trim plate. On my Delta trim, this was one set screw and two Phillips screws.
• Pull the stainless retaining clip straight up with needle‑nose pliers. Don’t twist; don’t lose it.
• Work the old cartridge out with a gentle wiggle. Mineral build‑up can glue it in place. If it’s stubborn, a few drops of white vinegar around the O‑rings and a few minutes of patience go a long way.
• Clean the valve bore. I used a nylon brush and a lint‑free cloth to remove debris. Avoid abrasive paper inside the brass body.
• Lightly lubricate the new cartridge’s O‑rings with silicone plumber’s grease.
• Orient the hot/cold correctly (hot on the left). Slide the cartridge in until fully seated, then reinstall the retaining clip.
• Reassemble trim, restore water, and test for leaks.
• Adjust the rotational limit stop so you can’t accidentally crank the handle past a safe hot temperature. This takes 30 seconds, and it’s worth doing right away.

No exotic tools were required. The only potential hiccup is a badly calcified valve body; in that scenario the “hard part” is extraction and cleanup, not installing the new part. As a good practice, I removed the showerhead and ran the tub spout for a minute after installation to flush any loose debris before putting everything back together.

Performance and feel

Once installed, the improvement was immediate. Handle travel felt smoother and more linear than with the worn cartridge I replaced. Flow comes on predictably without the sticky spots that old seals develop. Temperature tracking is where pressure‑balanced cartridges earn their keep: with washing machines and toilets cycling, outlet temperature stayed consistent within a couple of degrees, which is exactly what a pressure‑balancing spool is supposed to do. It’s not a thermostatic valve—so you’re not setting an exact temperature—but in typical household use, showers stayed stable without surprise swings.

The anti‑scald limit is easy to set and holds its position. I prefer to set mine so the handle can’t go past roughly 115–118°F at the showerhead. That’s hot enough for comfort, not hot enough to be risky for kids or guests. Once dialed in, the stop hasn’t drifted.

Noise and water hammer were non‑issues. The cartridge operated quietly; no spool chatter, no whistle at partial flow. That’s partly down to a clean valve cavity, so take the extra minute to brush it before installing.

Leakage and shutoff

The most practical test is whether it cures the drip. It did. After installation, the spout and showerhead went completely quiet, including overnight when small pressure changes often reveal a weak seal. Shutoff is positive without excessive handle torque; you don’t have to crank down on it to stop the flow.

If you still have a slow drip after replacing the cartridge, that’s a sign to inspect the valve body for scoring or pitting, or to check for debris under the seals. Pulling the cartridge, re‑greasing the O‑rings, and re‑seating it usually solves it. If not, the issue may be upstream (e.g., debris from old galvanized lines) rather than the cartridge itself.

Build quality

In hand, the brass core gives the cartridge a reassuring weight, and the molded plastic components are clean with no flashing or rough edges. The retaining clip channel and alignment surfaces were true, which matters when you’re trying to seat the clip without fighting tolerance slop. O‑rings were properly sized and pliable. After a few weeks of use, there’s no seepage around the stem and the balance spool moves freely.

Longevity is always the open question with any cartridge. Brass-on-plastic hybrids are standard in this category, and maintenance—specifically water quality—plays a huge role. If you’re in a hard‑water area, expect to descale the showerhead periodically and, every few years, plan on a cartridge refresh. A light film of silicone grease during install can extend the life of the O‑rings and ease future removal.

Temperature stability: what to expect

Pressure‑balanced valves react to changes in supply pressure, not temperature. In practice, that means if someone opens a tap elsewhere and your cold pressure dips, the cartridge reduces hot flow to keep the mixed temperature about where it was. It won’t compensate for a sudden slug of extremely hot or cold water entering the system, and it won’t hold a precise number like a thermostatic 17T setup. For most households, the balance it provides is exactly what’s needed: steady, safe showers without fiddling.

The claimed ±3.6°F tracking aligned with my experience. I measured at the showerhead with a probe after intentionally cycling other fixtures; the variation was small and not noticeable on skin.

Value and alternatives

The value proposition here is strong: it restored performance at a fraction of what I’d spend on a plumber visit or a full trim upgrade, and well under typical OEM retail pricing. If you want exact‑temp control or independent volume and temperature, you’ll need to move to a thermostatic or 17‑series valve and matching trim, which means replacing more than just the cartridge. For maintaining an existing single‑handle Delta Monitor setup, this cartridge is the sensible, budget‑friendly path.

Caveats and compatibility notes

• Make sure your valve is designed for the RP46074. Older 1300/1400 series use a different cartridge and are not compatible.
• This is not for dual‑control (17 series) or thermostatic (17T) trims.
• If the rough‑in body is damaged or heavily corroded, no cartridge will be a silver bullet; address the valve body.
• Take a moment to set the rotational limit stop. It’s a small step that makes the shower safer.
• Clean the valve cavity and use silicone grease on O‑rings to avoid installation damage and future seizing.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with a Delta Monitor 13/14 single‑handle valve who want to stop a drip, smooth out handle operation, and regain pressure‑balanced temperature stability.
• DIYers looking for a quick fix without specialty tools and without opening the wall.
• Landlords and property managers who need an economical, consistent repair part that won’t chew up a service window.

Recommendation

I recommend the RP46074 cartridge. It installs quickly, restores smooth operation, and maintains stable temperatures the way a pressure‑balanced valve should. Build quality is solid for the category, the anti‑scald limit is simple to set, and it stopped a drip that had resisted fiddling with the old cartridge. As long as you confirm compatibility with your Delta Monitor 13/14 valve and take a few minutes to prep the valve body, it’s an effective, budget‑friendly repair that makes a tired shower feel new again.