Moen are probably some of the best bathroom fixtures you can get on the market today. They have a lifetime warranty, but that doesn’t mean they won’t fail. Here we are looking at how to fix dripping Moen bathroom faucet fixtures for both single and double faucet handle models.
A leaky faucet, even a Moen one, will leak occasionally, particularly if you live in a hard water area. Typically these problems are caused by the cartridge being worn out so the watertight seal fails inside of the faucet valve. You may be able to repair the cartridge but it’s a much more long-term solution to just outright replace it.
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What is Causing the Leak
The cartridge is normally the issue and is a cylindrical part that can be found inside the faucet valve. It helps to control the flow of water out of the faucet spout. Moen cartridges also have the feature of water temperature balance which can help to prevent scalding.
Because these cartridges are connected directly to the faucet handle and are continuously turning whenever the faucet is used, they wear out over time thanks to the friction. A single faucet handle has one cartridge while a double has two. The cartridges for Moen aren’t universal so you can’t swap them over.
To find out what type of cartridge you need you can remove the old one and head to the Moen website to look at their product guide. Alternatively, you can go to a hardware store to find replacement parts. Moen do have a lifetime warranty so if your leaky faucet is still under warranty get in touch with them so they can send you out a free replacement kit.
In this guide, we are going to look at replacing both single and double faucet handle cartridges if you are experiencing leaks.
Fixing the Leaky Faucet
Single Handle Faucet
To carry out this repair you will need to collect the following tools:
- Allen wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Adjustable wrenches and pliers
- New cartridges
- Towels and rags
- Cartridge puller
Once you have all of the right materials you can follow these steps to replace a single faucet handle cartridge.
Step 1 – Turn the Water Supply Lines Off
- Open the cupboard under your kitchen sink and look for two knobs that connect the main water supply to your home. These are the shutoff valves for the hot and cold water.
- Turn the shutoff valves clockwise.
- Turn the tap on to drain any water remaining.
- Block the drain so that you don’t drop anything down there by accident.
Step 2 – Remove the Faucet Handle
We’re going to show you how to remove both the lever and knob handles.
- With a knob handle remove the cover from the front of the tap. Loosen the connecting screw using your screwdriver and pull the handle out.
- The level handle is removed by pulling off the cap underneath. Then get an Allen wrench to remove the connecting screw and pull the handle out.
It’s sometimes a problem here where the handle is corroded and it won’t slide out easily. If this happens you need to spray it with penetrating oil and then try removing it again.
- Take off the handle adapter which is the part that connects to the cartridge using a Phillips screwdriver. Once the screw is out you can lift up the front of the adapter and push it back to lift it off. It has a tab at the back that holds it in place.
- Lift off the decorative flange.
- Unscrew the plastic ring which should be able to be done by hand but in some cases, you may need a wrench.
Arrange all of the parts in the order in which you removed them so you remember how to put them back on afterward. The last thing to do is remove the second decorative piece.
Step 3 – Remove the Cartridge
- Cartridges for Moen faucet models are held in place by a retaining clip that stops them from shifting when the water flow hits them. You will need to remove the clip using needle nose pliers or a small screwdriver.
- Remove the temperature limit stop which sits at the very tip of the cartridge.
- Take out the washer.
To be able to remove a Moen cartridge you will need to have a proper cartridge puller. Trying to pull the cartridge straight out without this tool will break it into two and one part will stay inside the shutoff valve. The newest replacement cartridges come with a puller that looks like a small white piece of plastic.
- Get your puller and insert it into the faucet body until it engages with the cartridge.
- Grab the puller either with pliers or a wrench and then twist it until the cartridge comes away from the faucet body.
- Take the puller out, grip the cartridge stem and pull it out.
- Soak up any water left behind.
Step 4 – Install the Replacement Cartridge
- Apply grease to all of the cartridge seals.
- Push the cartridge into the valve. You have to make sure the tabs are at the top and bottom so they can be held in place by the retaining clips.
- Replace the washer and temperature limiter, and then the retaining clip once the cartridge is in place.
- Put the metal ring back and screw it into the plastic ring gently, then replace the flange and make sure it’s aligned.
- Hook the tab for the handle adapter up to the rear of the faucet and then screw it into place. The rest of the handle can then be added too.
- Turn the shutoff valves back on and check for any dripping faucet problems. Turn the tap on for 30 seconds then turn it off again to check for leaks.
Double Handle Faucet
The double handle faucet has two cartridges but they won’t both be faulty. To find out which one is the problem you need to turn off the cold water flow using the shutoff valve. If the leaking stops then this is the cartridge that needs to be replaced. If it continues then you need to replace the hot water cartridge. Here are the steps for replacing the cartridge.
- Turn off the valves and turn on the faucet to drain excess water.
- Plug up the sink.
- Remove the handle either with the hex screw or with the threaded turn which goes counterclockwise to loosen.
- Take out the retaining ring by loosening it with a wrench.
- Grab the cartridge and pull it out.
- Soak up any water and apply grease to the new o rings.
- Install the cartridge by matching up the tabs with the side of the valve body.
- Screw the retaining clip back in using a wrench and reinstall the handle.
- Turn on the water to check if the leak has stopped.
Conclusion
And that’s how you fix a Moen bathroom faucet. For other bathroom sink or tub problems make sure to check out the rest of our website. We not only focus on Moen faucets but plenty of other models to make sure you’re plumbing never becomes an issue.
FAQs
What causes a Moen faucet to drip?
Typically with these faucets the leak is caused by a torn or scratched cartridge, grommet or o ring. A cartridge replacement can fix this type of leak.
Why does my Moen bathroom faucet leak?
The Moen bathroom faucets have been designed with an interior component which is called a cartridge. This is the part of the faucet which controls the flow of water through your tap. If you find your bathroom faucets are leaking water from the spouts, the reason is usually that you need a new Moen faucet cartridge.
Why is my faucet dripping when the water is turned off?
If the bathroom faucets are leaking when the water is turned off then the faucet cartridge isn’t working properly and sealing in water. It could be damaged or have worn seals. You will need to disassemble the tap to fix this issue. Turn off your water supply lines and open up the faucet to relieve water pressure.
