Moen is one of the top faucet brands in North America. Their selection of kitchen and bath faucets are both diverse and thoughtfully designed. Users of their products have praised them for not only being innovative but also for their useful features and lasting value. Then again, just like any other feature, it is bound to run into some trouble. The only hope is for the issue to be minimal and easily fixed rather than a complete change.
Leaks are one of the most common problems associated with faucets. While it’s normal to feel alarmed, it’s best to determine the true cause before you spend money on a professional plumber or a change of fixture. After all, the issue may be simple enough for you to solve on your own. Here’s what you need to do to fix your Moen kitchen faucet.
Get The Parts You Need
Do you know that you can get the parts you need from Moen? After all, you did purchase an item from them, right? While there may be a chance they won’t have the part, it’s not a shame to ask.
What you need to do is give the Moen branch in your country a call. After that, they might ask you to take photos of the issue and fill out a form. Make sure you input all the details and take pictures that accurately depict the problem. After getting those sent, Moen will happily send you the parts you need. If you’re not the owner of the place you moved into or bought, you need to specify this on the form so the company knows.
But first, you need to identify what kind of Moen faucet you have. The company has a range of designs done for the various kinds of faucets. But identifying the exact kind can be tricky, especially when you’re not the original owner of the place you’re living in or you simply forgot what design you have. The good news is that Moen’s official website has this feature that will help you identify what model faucet you have.
Have All The Needed Tools On Hand
Yes, you are going to use your hands, but you also need a set of tools to help get the job done. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
- Philips head screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Allen key (supplied by Moen)
Download Materials From The Official Site
Moen puts important documents on their products online and it’s best to get the one related to yours. This is important because these documents relay relevant information such as how to fix certain issues and general information about the product that you have.
Read everything detailed in the manual and other documentation, especially the ones that illustrate the different parts of the faucet. Knowing which one is which will help make the process a lot smoother.
Turn The Water Off
Unless you want the area to be soaked, always remember to turn the water off. Doing so lessens the amount of water that will come out and this way, you have less to clean. Here’s a fact: even if you’ve turned off the water, there’s a good chance some residual water will remain in the spout and cartridge.
Find The Leak And Fix It
A leak can occur in many places. Here are some of the common places it happens and what you can do about it:
Leaking from the spout
These are caused by an o-ring or grommet on the cartridge that has been scratched. It can also be caused by a broken part, particularly in models that use a handle mechanism.
Here’s what you do:
- Replace the cartridge. Note that you will have to replace both cartridges when using the two-handle models. Step-by-step instructions on how to do this is available on the official website (demonstrated through video).
- Inspect the parts if the faucet uses a handle mechanism. You need to replace the handle if something is broken. Improper installation of the handle mechanism can also cause this issue.
Leaking at the bottom of the spout
A scratched or torn o-ring or a rubber seal that didn’t properly seal inside the spout are probable causes for this kind of leak on non-pullout and non-pulldown models. When this occurs on a pullout or pulldown mode, it may be caused by a vacuum breaker that is not properly sealing inside the spout receptor.
Here’s how to fix the issue:
- Replace the o-ring (or o-rings) inside the spout when using a non-pullout or non-pulldown model. The number of o-rings your faucet has depends on its model so make sure you know the exact model in order to get the proper parts.
- Check the connection between the hose and the wand if using a pullout or pulldown model. You should see a screenwasher or o-ring providing a seal between the two. In case there’s none or it looks compromised, replace the parts. Also, a vacuum breaker (present in some models) may also be causing the leak and replacing it usually solves the issue.
Leaking between the spout and the handle
This is usually caused by a scratched or torn o-ring located on the cartridge or spout. Here’s how to fix it:
- Replace the o-ring (or o-rings) inside the spout and the cartridge on non-pullout or non-pulldown models.
- Replace the cartridge for the specific model you have when using a pullout or pulldown faucet.
A leaky faucet is a sign of trouble and shouldn’t be ignored. It’s also a problem that just doesn’t jump up on you – there are clear signs alluding to it. When you do encounter a faucet that leaks, take the necessary steps to address the problem as soon as possible. The last thing you want is for a small issue to become a full-blown problem. And always make sure you know what model faucet you have as this makes finding the parts so much easier.
