If you find your Moen faucet has been leaking lately, the likely cause is a bad cartridge. The cartridge helps control the water flow and pressure to your faucet and if it isn't working properly your faucet won't shut off completely. Since a leaky Moen faucet can lead to higher water bills, it's a good idea to get it fixed. Luckily, Moen makes their faucets in such a way that even someone unfamiliar with faucet repairs can easily replace them. Moen faucets come in one- and two-handle varieties. The procedure is bit different for each, so this guide will cover both types.
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Things You'll Need
Adjustable Wrench
Moen Two-Handle Replacement Cartridge
Pliers
Flat-Head And Phillips Screwdrivers
Moen Single-Handle Replacement Cartridge
Moen Cartridge Removal Tool (Included With Your Replacement Cartridge)
Single Handle Instructions
Step 1
Reach under your faucet and turn off the hot and cold water supplies at the shut-off valves. Turn your faucet on and let it run for a few seconds to clear out the pipes.
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Step 2
Remove the handle on your faucet. Depending on your model, your faucet handle may have a cap that needs to pried off to reveal the retaining screw. Other Moen models use a set screw at the top of handle to hold the handle in place. Either way, remove the screw holding the handle in place and slide the handle off the faucet.
Step 3
Remove any retaining nuts and washers above the cartridge. Again, Moen makes a variety of single-handle models and each one differs slightly in its disassembly process. At a minimum, there will be a limit stop and washer that need to be removed. Simply unscrew them with an adjustable wrench and remove them. Once everything is removed, you will have access to the cartridge.
Step 4
Locate the retaining clip toward the top of the cartridge. There will be a little metal tab protruding from the cartridge. Use pliers to grab the tab and pull the retaining tab out of the cartridge.
Step 5
Slide the white cartridge removal tool that came with your new cartridge over the old cartridge.The tool acts a socket for the cartridge so you can use a wrench to remove it. Use an adjustable wrench to grab the tool and twist the cartridge back and forth until it works loose. Slide the cartridge out of the socket.
Step 6
Slide the new cartridge into the socket. Replace the retaining clip and reassemble the handle. Turn the water supply lines back on.
Two Handle Instructions
Step 1
Shut off the hot and cold water supply lines at the shut-off valves under the sink.
Step 2
Remove the hot water handle. Moen makes several types of two-handle faucets, but your faucet will either have a cover that needs to be pried off the hot water handle and a screw that needs to be removed under the cover, or a single screw at the base of the handle.
Step 3
Use an adjustable wrench to remove the retaining nut above the cartridge.
Step 4
Grab the cartridge stem with a pair of pliers. Gently twist the cartridge back and forth until it works itself out of the socket.
Step 5
Slide the new cartridge into the socket and replace the retaining nut. Reattach your handle and turn the water back on.
Tip
If your faucet is still under warranty, Moen will send you a replacement cartridge for free. Contact Moen at (800) Buy-Moen for more information.
Warning
Make sure to shut the water supply off, or water will spray out of your faucet when you remove the cartridge.