You shouldn’t be in a rush to call a professional plumber when you experience problems with your Moen shower valve, as there are steps you can do to remedy the situation. Moen shower valve troubleshooting will come in handy if you are in such a predicament.
You may experience issues like lack of hot water, cold/hot sides reversed, accumulation of dirt and debris, and spout drip or leaks in your Moen shower valve. Moreover, you may find the handle difficult to turn, experience water pressure loss, and showerhead leaks.
Generally, Moen offers durable, high-quality shower valves that work well when maintained. However, they can suffer minor problems that you can correct with the right tools and procedures.
Keep reading to discover how to restore your faulty Moen shower valve to full functionality.
Moen Shower Valve Troubleshooting (Quick Fixes)
| Problem | Recommended Solution | |
| 1. | No hot water | Adjust the scald-guard feature and make sure the cartridge is dirt or debris-free |
| 2. | The handle is hard to turn | Lubricate or replace the cartridge |
| 3. | Cold/hot sides reversed | Reinstall the cartridge properly |
| 4. | Dripping or leaking spout | Replace the cartridge |
| 5. | Water pressure loss | Remove debris, dirt, and obstacles in the shower valve |
| 6. | Showerhead leaks | Replace your Moen shower valve |
| 7. | Shower Faucet Won’t Turn Off | Tighten the faucet or replace the valve or cartridge |
| 8. | New Moen Shower Valve Leaking | Reinstall the shower valve well. Replace the damaged stem or core |
Moen Shower Valve Troubleshooting (Problems and Solutions)
You should look into the common problems below should your Moen shower valve starts acting. This section also covers how to fix each specific issue in detail.
1. Moen Shower Valve Doesn’t Have Hot Water
It can be pretty frustrating if you are used to enjoying your long hot showers, then suddenly, your Moen shower stops dispensing hot water. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue, but first, you need to know what could be causing it.
The problem could be with the scald-guard feature if you are unable to receive hot water from your Moen shower valve. Alternatively, the cartridge could be faulty or dirty, so you’ll need to do Moen shower valve cartridge troubleshooting to uncover the exact issue.
Fix
The solution to this problem is to adjust the scald-guard feature. If that doesn’t work or your shower valve doesn’t have that feature, clean or replace the cartridge.
Follow the steps below to correct the issue.
a) Inspect The Hot Water Line
You must ensure all the hot water line valves are turned on to allow water to reach your shower.
b) Remove The Valve Handle Cap
Use a screwdriver to pry off the valve handle cap if one exists, then remove the screws holding together the handle and the faucet stem. Loosen the handle with an Allen wrench if it’s attached to the stem using an Allen nut, then detach the handle.
Next, separate the escutcheon from your shower wall, then remove it.
c) Examine The Posi-Temp Valve
Moen Posi-Temp shower valve troubleshooting, you can find out if the hot water inlet’s Posi-Temp valve to see if it’s well-positioned. Using a screwdriver, rotate it ¼ turn horizontally if it’s in a vertical (off) position.
In addition, inspect the scald-guard limiter if it’s there and adjust it accordingly. Finally, replace the shower valve handle and test the faucet.
d) Stop Water To Your Shower
If your Moen shower valve doesn’t have a scald-guard feature or a Posi-Temp or adjusting them doesn’t fix the problem, turn off the water to your shower. Next, replace the plastic scald-guard limiter and shower handle.
e) Remove The Pin Holding The Cartridge
Grasp and lift the pin holding the cartridge straight up using needle-nose pliers. Before doing this, ensure the water is off to avoid being scalded or dealing with an uncontrollable geyser.
f) Pull Out The Cartridge
Pull out the cartridge from the faucet assembly. However, ensure you take notice of the cartridge’s orientation because you will need to put back the same cartridge or its replacement in a similar orientation.
g) Check The Cartridge For Blockages
Blockages in the cartridge holes could be keeping hot water from going through the valve, so check for them.
The balancing spool could be stuck if you don’t hear a rattling sound when you shake the cartridge. This can occur from an extended period of not using the shower, and you can avoid it by running your shower every couple of weeks.
h) Clean The Cartridge Interior And Spool
Dismantle the cartridge, clean the cartridge interior and spool, reassemble it, and then shake it, listening for a rattling sound. Get a new cartridge if it doesn’t get clean enough to generate a rattling sound.
i) Put The Cartridge Back Into The Valve
Insert the fixed cartridge or its replacement back into the valve in the same orientation followed by the holding pin.
j) Replace The Handle And The Scald-Guard Limiter
Replace the handle and scald-guard limiter, secure the shower handle to the stem by tightening the screw then put the cap back.
2. New Moen Shower Valve Leaking
A leaking valve is more than just a nuisance. It leads to water wastage, increased water bills, and leakages behind the shower wall can cause mold growth and water damage.
It makes more sense to have leakage from an old shower valve, but not a new one, as you would expect everything to work seamlessly. So, how do you fix a leak from a new Moen shower valve?
Fix
The probable cause for this issue is the wrong installation which you can resolve by reinstalling your valve correctly. Additionally, you may have damaged the core or stem during installation, so you’ll need to replace it.
3. Moen Shower Faucet Won’t Turn Off
You likely have a faulty valve, damaged cartridge, or a loose faucet if your Moen shower faucet keeps running or dripping even after turning the water off. The cartridges, gaskets, valves, and seals in your shower plumbing must be installed correctly and function well to ensure you have a well-functioning shower.
You don’t need to call a plumber right away to fix your Moen shower faucet that won’t turn off. You can solve the problem at home.
Fix
Through Moen shower valve cartridge troubleshooting, you can find out if it’s faulty and replace it should that be the case. If the problem is a defective valve, you’ll need to replace it.
You will also need to tighten the faucet if it’s loose.
4. Cold/hot Sides Reversed
Reversed cold/ hot sides are caused by installing the cartridge upside down.
Fix
Rotate the cartridge to have the north facing down towards the shower drain.
5. The Handle Is Difficult To Turn
Resistance when turning your shower handle indicates a problem with the valve. Your Moen shower valve might be rusted or damaged, making the cartridge stem hard to rotate, and it could indicate a larger problem.
Fix
You can lubricate the cartridge to allow the stem to rotate more easily. If the damage is too extensive, replace the cartridge.
6. Water Pressure Loss
Nobody wants to shower in slow trickling water, so water pressure is of utmost importance as it can dictate whether you have a pleasant shower or not. Sudden pressure change in your Moen shower valve can be caused by wear and tear or a clog.
Fix
Remove anything clogging the valve or replace it if it’s worn out.
7. Showerhead Leaks
Your shower valve needs a proper seal for the shower to shut off completely. Therefore, when you start seeing your showerhead dripping or leaking after turning it off, the seal is worn out.
Fix
You’ll have to replace your Moen shower valve to fix the problem.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1. Moen Digital Thermostatic Shower Valve Troubleshooting
If you live in a smart home, a Moen digital thermostatic shower valve is ideal because it functions with the Moen Smart Water Network Application, voice commands, and a TS3304TB digital controller. It’s flexible to install because it’s compact, but you must be careful when handling the data cable to avoid damaging it.
Should you experience issues with this shower valve, you are better off calling a professional plumber to avoid damaging the smart features and nullifying the warranty of the valve.
2. Moen Shower Mixing Valve Troubleshooting
Most modern showers have mixing valves that adjust automatically to the depletion of hot water, maintaining consistent water temperature. Therefore, someone flushing the toilet while you shower won’t scald you.
Your Moen shower mixing valve will eventually wear out or become faulty, and you will need to troubleshoot it to determine the problem and repair it.
To replace your old Moen shower mixing valve with a new one, here’s what to do:
- Clean the house of the valve thoroughly to remove debris.
- Put in the new Moen shower mixing valve
- Put back the faucet handle, screw it in then replace the hex nut or cap.
- Turn the water back, then test its temperature and pressure.
Final Remarks On Moen Shower Valve Troubleshooting
An optimally working Moen shower valve keeps cold and hot water balanced, preventing excruciating surges between cold and hot. Nonetheless, this Moen shower valve troubleshooting guide should help fix any issues you may encounter.
