How to Replace a Moen Bathroom Faucet Cartridge

AvatarByLiana Farrell Faucet Queries

Moen Bathroom Faucet Cartridge Replacement: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your Moen bathroom faucet is one of the most important fixtures in your home. It’s the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning and the last thing you see before you go to bed at night. So when it starts to leak or malfunction, it can be a real pain.

But don’t worry, replacing the cartridge in a Moen bathroom faucet is a relatively simple task that you can do yourself in just a few minutes. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process, so you can have your faucet up and running again in no time.

What You’ll Need

  • Replacement cartridge (for your specific Moen faucet)
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Penetrating oil
  • Rags

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the escutcheon (the decorative cover around the base of the faucet) by unscrewing it counterclockwise.
3. Locate the cartridge housing. It’s a small, cylindrical-shaped object that’s usually located behind the spout.
4. Use the adjustable wrench to loosen the retaining screws on the cartridge housing.
5. Remove the cartridge housing.
6. Remove the old cartridge.
7. Apply a small amount of penetrating oil to the new cartridge.
8. Insert the new cartridge into the cartridge housing.
9. Replace the cartridge housing and tighten the retaining screws.
10. Reattach the escutcheon.
11. Turn on the water supply to the faucet.

Tips and Tricks

  • If the cartridge is stuck, you can try using a heat gun or hair dryer to warm it up. This will make it easier to remove.
  • Be careful not to drop the cartridge into the sink. It’s a small, delicate part and it’s easy to lose.
  • If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can always call a plumber. They’ll be able to replace the cartridge quickly and easily.

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Step Tools Instructions
1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet. – Adjustable wrench – Flathead screwdriver
2. Remove the handle covers. – Pliers – Phillips head screwdriver
3. Remove the screws holding the cartridge in place. – Screwdriver – Penetrating oil
4. Pull out the old cartridge. – Needle-nose pliers – Rag
5. Insert the new cartridge into the faucet. – Cartridge – Grease
6. Replace the screws holding the cartridge in place. – Screwdriver – Penetrating oil
7. Replace the handle covers. – Pliers – Phillips head screwdriver
8. Turn on the water supply to the faucet. – None – None

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Tools and Materials Needed

To replace the cartridge in a Moen bathroom faucet, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • A Phillips head screwdriver
  • A flathead screwdriver
  • A basin wrench
  • A new Moen cartridge
  • Teflon tape
  • Penetrating oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet. This is usually done by turning the shut-off valves located under the sink.
2. Remove the handle covers from the faucet. These are usually held in place by small screws or clips.
3. Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the cartridge in place.
4. Use the flathead screwdriver to pry the cartridge out of the faucet body.
5. Apply a small amount of penetrating oil to the threads of the new cartridge.
6. Insert the new cartridge into the faucet body and tighten the screws to secure it in place.
7. Reattach the handle covers to the faucet.
8. Turn on the water supply to the faucet and test it to make sure it is working properly.

Replacing the cartridge in a Moen bathroom faucet is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can easily restore your faucet to its former glory.

How to Replace Cartridge in Moen Bathroom Faucet?

1. Gather your tools and materials

Before you begin, gather the following tools and materials:

  • Replacement cartridge for your Moen faucet
  • Penetrating oil
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Bucket
  • Rags

2. Turn off the water supply

The first step is to turn off the water supply to your Moen faucet. This will prevent any water from coming out of the faucet while you are working on it.

To turn off the water supply, locate the shut-off valve for your faucet. This valve is usually located under the sink, near the faucet. Turn the valve clockwise to turn off the water.

3. Remove the old cartridge

Now that the water supply is turned off, you can begin to remove the old cartridge.

To remove the cartridge, you will need to first remove the handle of the faucet. This is usually done by unscrewing the screws that hold the handle in place. Once the screws are removed, you can lift the handle off of the faucet.

With the handle removed, you will see the cartridge. The cartridge is a small, cylindrical-shaped piece of plastic or metal that is located inside the faucet body. To remove the cartridge, you will need to use an adjustable wrench to loosen the screws that hold it in place. Once the screws are loosened, you can pull the cartridge out of the faucet body.

4. Apply penetrating oil to the new cartridge

Before you install the new cartridge, it is a good idea to apply some penetrating oil to the threads. This will help to make the installation process easier.

To apply the penetrating oil, simply spray a small amount onto the threads of the new cartridge. Allow the oil to sit for a few minutes before continuing with the installation process.

5. Install the new cartridge

Now that the old cartridge has been removed, you can install the new cartridge.

To install the new cartridge, simply reverse the steps that you took to remove the old cartridge. First, insert the new cartridge into the faucet body. Then, tighten the screws that hold the cartridge in place. Finally, replace the handle of the faucet.

6. Turn on the water supply

Now that the new cartridge has been installed, you can turn on the water supply to your faucet.

To turn on the water supply, simply turn the shut-off valve counterclockwise. You should now be able to use your faucet as normal.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you are having trouble replacing the cartridge in your Moen faucet, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

  • Make sure that you have turned off the water supply to the faucet before you begin.
  • Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the screws that hold the cartridge in place.
  • Apply penetrating oil to the threads of the new cartridge before you install it.
  • Make sure that the new cartridge is installed correctly.

If you are still having trouble, you can contact Moen customer service for assistance.

Additional Resources

  • [Moen Replacement Cartridges](https://www.moen.com/replacement-cartridges)
  • [Moen Faucet Repair Instructions](https://www.moen.com/faucet-repair-instructions)
  • [Moen Customer Service](https://www.moen.com/customer-service)

Replacing the cartridge in a Moen bathroom faucet is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily replace the cartridge in your faucet and get your faucet back up and running in no time.

How do I remove the old cartridge?

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the handle by unscrewing the set screw.
3. Remove the locknut by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Pull the cartridge straight out of the faucet body.

How do I install the new cartridge?

1. Make sure the new cartridge is the correct size and type for your faucet.
2. Apply a thin coat of plumber’s grease to the O-rings on the cartridge.
3. Insert the cartridge into the faucet body, making sure that the O-rings are seated properly.
4. Tighten the locknut until it is snug.
5. Turn on the water supply to the faucet and check for leaks.

What if the cartridge is stuck?

If the cartridge is stuck, you can try using a hair dryer to heat it up. This will make the O-rings more pliable and easier to remove. You can also try using a wrench to turn the locknut. Be careful not to damage the faucet body.

What if I can’t find the right size cartridge?

You can order a replacement cartridge from the Moen website or from a local hardware store. When ordering, be sure to specify the make and model of your faucet.

How often should I replace the cartridge?

The average lifespan of a Moen cartridge is about 10 years. However, if you notice that the faucet is leaking or not working properly, you may need to replace the cartridge sooner.

Can I replace the cartridge myself?

Yes, you can replace the cartridge yourself. However, if you are not comfortable working with plumbing, you may want to hire a professional plumber.

Replacing a Moen bathroom faucet cartridge is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily remove the old cartridge and install a new one. This will help to ensure that your faucet is working properly and that you have a long-lasting, reliable fixture.

Here are the key takeaways from this guide:

  • Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools and materials.
  • Turn off the water supply to the faucet before you start work.
  • Remove the old cartridge by carefully unscrewing it counterclockwise.
  • Clean the faucet body and seat before installing the new cartridge.
  • Apply a thin coat of plumber’s grease to the O-rings on the new cartridge.
  • Insert the new cartridge into the faucet body and tighten it clockwise until it is snug.
  • Turn on the water supply and check for leaks.

By following these steps, you can easily replace a Moen bathroom faucet cartridge and restore your faucet to its former glory.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.