Replacement for Kohler GP500520 Rite-Temp Pressure Balance Unit
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You can fix this
Likely cause: a worn pressure-balancing cartridge
Other brands' single-handle shower valves balance pressure in the cartridge too. Match the cartridge to the valve, then swap it.
Why this happens
Symmons explains that pressure-balancing valves react to changing water pressure to keep you from being scalded when someone flushes. When the cartridge doing that work is worn, the correction is slow or missing and the flush reaches you. Kohler's Rite-Temp valves use a pressure-balancing unit; Ferguson, a retailer, lists Kohler GP800820 as the replacement for GP500520 on the K-304 and K-11748 platforms.
How to fix it
- Shut off the water to the shower at its stops or at the main.
- Remove the handle and trim and look for a brand and model on the valve. Take a photo.
- Match the cartridge to that valve using the identification index below before you order.
- Remove the old cartridge, install the new one in the same orientation, and turn the water back on.
- Test with a thermometer and keep the hottest water at 120F or less. Kohler says Rite-Temp water should never be set above 120F.
The part that fixes it
Kohler Rite-Temp, Pfister 0X8, Grohe Tempress and Gerber Safetemp valves each take their own cartridge. The Pfister and Kohler cross-references come from retailer listings, so confirm against your valve.
Replacement for Kohler GP876851 Mixer Cap and Pressure Balance Kit
Cross-references GP76851, GP800820, GP77759, Sterling A2758. Valves K-304, K-11748.
FourHome is our own brand of replacement parts; this site is published by the team behind it. We earn from purchases made through this link.
Replacement for Pfister 974-042 and 974-5299 0X8 Shower Cartridge
FourHome is our own brand of replacement parts; this site is published by the team behind it. We earn from purchases made through this link.
Replacement for Grohe 47080000 Tempress II Pressure Balance Cartridge
FourHome is our own brand of replacement parts; this site is published by the team behind it. We earn from purchases made through this link.
Replacement for Gerber Safetemp 97-022 and 97-014 Cartridge Kit
Also 92-294, for 49-400 and 49-700 valves. Cross-references Everbilt 43284, Kissler 46-7214, Jerich 97501.
FourHome is our own brand of replacement parts; this site is published by the team behind it. We earn from purchases made through this link.
Not sure which part you have? Pull the old one and match it by brand, length and broach on Stems & Cartridges, an identification index of faucet stems and cartridges by part number.
If this does not fix it, tell the plumber
- The valve brand and a photo of the handle and trim.
- That the temperature jumps when a toilet flushes or another tap runs.
- Whether you already replaced the cartridge.
Build the full list: what to tell the plumber.
Start this troubleshooter over
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
Vent, Valve & Volt is published by the team behind FourHome. Browse all FourHome replacement faucet and shower parts on the FourHome Amazon store.