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A shower cartridge is a component located inside the shower valve. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are two different parts. The shower valve is the entire device that regulates the flow and temperature of water in your shower. The cartridge is the inner part of the valve that connects to the shower controls, allowing you to adjust the water's temperature and flow by balancing the mix of hot and cold water. While the signs of a failing valve and cartridge can be similar, if you are experiencing issues with water temperature, you may need to replace the entire valve.

If nothing is coming out of your faucet, you could have frozen pipes, a clogged faucet, or your water supply could be shut off. First, check your shut-off valves. If it's a hot sunny day, you can rule out frozen pipes and look closer at your aerator for signs of mineral deposits. Removing the aerator and cleaning it out can often return water flow. If temperatures are below freezing, you may have frozen pipes. Knowing what to do when pipes freeze is essential for thawing your pipes and preventing them from bursting.

You can often identify a freeze-proof faucet by its structure. Unlike a traditional spigot, a freeze-proof one will include a long supply pipe that extends into your home and connects several inches back to your water supply. Many freeze-proof models also have an extra valve on top of the exterior of the spigot, which is the anti-siphon feature that protects against water backflow.

For a long time, copper was our only plumbing material option. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Copper pipes have been used since the 1940s and became most popular around 1963. It wasn’t until the 1990s that PVC pipes became popular and began to replace copper pipes. Therefore, a house built before the 1990s without recent updates will likely contain more copper pipes.