A compression stem is made of a rubber compression washer. It compresses against the faucet seat to turn off the water. They are used on standard faucets, but you may also see them on shower faucets. A compression stem is also one of the cheapest faucet valves around.

The best way to tell whether you have a faucet with a compression stem is by the direction of the faucet handle. If it is a two handle faucet, then the handle will rise to the left when turned clockwise, and it will move down when turned counterclockwise. You will also notice that the handles on two handle faucets are round.

Whether you are repairing your faucet or just have one that isn't working properly, you'll need to know how to replace a Brass faucet cartridge with a non-rising stem. If you're not sure what a cartridge is, it's a small cylinder that controls water pressure. The cylinder is capped by a thin, short stem. The stem is usually hidden behind a handle and water seal.

If you are looking to replace the cartridge on your faucet, the first thing you'll need to do is unscrew the handle from the faucet's body. Then you can turn the handle and reveal the stem of the cartridge. Once you've seen the stem, you can unscrew the old cartridge from the stem and replace it with the new one.

If your faucet is leaking, you may need to replace the whole faucet. It's also a good idea to check for any worn rubber o-rings or washers. Leaks are more common with faucets with plastic stems, which tend to break after some time of use. You can also try replacing the handle tip on the faucet. It's easy to do.