How to Remove a Moen Shower Cartridge (Step-by-Step Guide)

AvatarByLiana Farrell Toilet Queries

How to Remove a Cartridge from a Moen Shower Faucet

Moen shower faucets are known for their durability and ease of use. However, even the best faucets can eventually malfunction, and when they do, it’s often necessary to remove the cartridge in order to repair or replace it.

Removing a cartridge from a Moen shower faucet is a relatively simple task, but it does require some basic tools and a little bit of know-how. In this article, we will walk you through the process step-by-step, so you can get your faucet back up and running in no time.

What You’ll Need

To remove a cartridge from a Moen shower faucet, you will need the following tools:

  • A Phillips head screwdriver
  • A flathead screwdriver
  • A basin wrench
  • A bucket
  • Penetrating oil

Steps to Remove the Cartridge

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Disconnect the hoses from the faucet.
3. Remove the escutcheon plate from the faucet.
4. Locate the cartridge screws.
5. Use the Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the cartridge screws.
6. Use the flathead screwdriver to pry the cartridge out of the faucet body.
7. Use the basin wrench to turn the cartridge counterclockwise until it comes loose.
8. Remove the cartridge from the faucet body.
9. Clean the faucet body and the cartridge.
10. Reinstall the cartridge and the escutcheon plate.
11. Reconnect the hoses to the faucet.
12. Turn on the water supply to the faucet.

Your Moen shower faucet is now repaired and ready to use!

Step Instructions Image
1 Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2 Remove the handle by unscrewing it counterclockwise.
3 Unscrew the cartridge by turning it counterclockwise.
4 Replace the cartridge with a new one.
5 Reattach the handle and turn on the water supply.

Tools and Materials Needed

To remove the cartridge from a Moen shower faucet, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • A flathead screwdriver
  • A Phillips head screwdriver
  • A basin wrench
  • A towel
  • Penetrating oil

Steps to Remove the Cartridge

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the escutcheon plate from the faucet by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place.
3. Locate the cartridge housing. It is typically located behind the escutcheon plate.
4. Use the flathead screwdriver to pry open the cartridge housing cover.
5. Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the cartridge in place.
6. Remove the cartridge from the housing.
7. Apply penetrating oil to the threads of the cartridge housing.
8. Reinstall the cartridge housing cover.
9. Reattach the escutcheon plate.
10. Turn on the water supply to the faucet.

By following these steps, you can easily remove the cartridge from a Moen shower faucet. This will allow you to clean the cartridge or replace it if necessary.

How to Remove Cartridge From Moen Shower Faucet?

Moen shower faucets are some of the most popular on the market, and for good reason. They’re known for their durability, ease of use, and stylish design. However, even the best faucets can eventually malfunction, and when that happens, it’s often necessary to replace the cartridge.

The cartridge is a small, cylindrical part that sits inside the faucet and controls the flow of water. It’s a relatively simple part to replace, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid damaging the faucet.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of removing and replacing a Moen shower cartridge. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions, along with photos and diagrams to help you along the way.

Tools and Materials

Before you begin, you’ll need to gather the following tools and materials:

  • A Phillips head screwdriver
  • A flathead screwdriver
  • A pair of pliers
  • A new Moen shower cartridge
  • Penetrating oil (optional)

Step 1: Turn off the Water

The first step is to turn off the water to the faucet. This will prevent any water from escaping while you’re working on the cartridge.

To do this, locate the shut-off valve for the faucet. It’s usually located near the base of the faucet, but it may be in a different location depending on your plumbing system.

Once you’ve found the shut-off valve, turn it clockwise to turn off the water.

Step 2: Remove the Handle

The next step is to remove the handle from the faucet. This will give you access to the cartridge.

To do this, locate the setscrews that hold the handle in place. They’re usually located on the underside of the handle.

Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the setscrews. Once the setscrews are loose, you can remove the handle from the faucet.

Step 3: Remove the Cover Plate

Now that the handle is removed, you can access the cover plate. The cover plate is a small, round plate that covers the cartridge.

To remove the cover plate, use a flathead screwdriver to pry it up. Be careful not to damage the cover plate.

Step 4: Remove the Cartridge

Now that the cover plate is removed, you can access the cartridge. The cartridge is a small, cylindrical part that sits inside the faucet.

To remove the cartridge, use a pair of pliers to grip the cartridge and pull it out of the faucet.

Be careful not to drop the cartridge. The cartridge is a small, delicate part, and it’s easy to damage if you’re not careful.

Step 5: Install the New Cartridge

Now that you’ve removed the old cartridge, you can install the new one.

To do this, simply insert the new cartridge into the faucet and push it in until it’s seated properly.

Step 6: Replace the Cover Plate

Now that the new cartridge is installed, you can replace the cover plate.

To do this, simply place the cover plate over the cartridge and press down until it snaps into place.

Step 7: Reattach the Handle

Now that the cover plate is replaced, you can reattach the handle to the faucet.

To do this, simply align the handle with the faucet and screw it in place using the setscrews.

Step 8: Turn on the Water

Now that the handle is reattached, you can turn on the water to the faucet.

Once the water is turned on, check to make sure that the faucet is working properly.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are some common problems that you may encounter when removing and replacing a Moen shower cartridge:

  • The cartridge is stuck. If the cartridge is stuck, you can try using a penetrating oil to loosen it. Allow the penetrating oil to soak into the cartridge for several minutes, then try to remove it again.
  • The cartridge is damaged. If the cartridge is damaged, you’ll need to replace it.
  • The faucet is leaking. If the faucet is leaking, it’s possible that the cartridge is not properly seated. Remove the cartridge and reinstall it, making sure that it’s seated properly.

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How do I remove the cartridge from a Moen shower faucet?

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the handle by unscrewing the set screw at the base of the handle.
3. Remove the decorative cap by prying it up with a flat-head screwdriver.
4. Remove the cartridge by turning it counterclockwise until it stops.
5. Replace the cartridge with a new one and reassemble the faucet.

What are the signs that a Moen shower cartridge needs to be replaced?

  • The shower is not producing enough hot or cold water.
  • The water pressure is low.
  • The shower is leaking.
  • The handle is difficult to turn.

How do I prevent my Moen shower cartridge from leaking?

1. Keep the water supply to the faucet turned off when not in use.
2. Clean the cartridge regularly to remove any build-up of mineral deposits.
3. Replace the cartridge if it is damaged or worn out.

What is the difference between a Moen single-handle and a Moen two-handle shower faucet?

A Moen single-handle shower faucet has a single lever that controls both the hot and cold water. A Moen two-handle shower faucet has separate levers for the hot and cold water.

Which type of Moen shower faucet is better?

The best type of Moen shower faucet for you depends on your personal preferences. Single-handle faucets are easier to use, while two-handle faucets give you more control over the temperature of the water.

Where can I buy a Moen shower cartridge?

Moen shower cartridges are available at most home improvement stores and online retailers.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to remove a cartridge from a Moen shower faucet. We have provided step-by-step instructions, as well as pictures and videos to help you visualize the process. We have also discussed some of the common problems that you may encounter, and how to troubleshoot them. We hope that this information has been helpful, and that you are now able to remove and replace the cartridge in your Moen shower faucet with ease.

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.