Moen & Posi-Temp Single Handle Shower Or Tub Valve - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

I have the same problem. Anyone know how to fix this?

Remove the handle and adjust the temperature limit stop. This is a plastic geared piece which you can pull out and spin clockwise to they 1 o'clock position and then put back in. This prevents your handle from spinning too far to the hot side. As far as uneven water flow goes it sounds like your showerhead may be clogged. Put a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water into a baggie and place it onto your shower head using a rubber band to keep it in place. Your uneven flow may also be a result of a partially clogged cartridge. If that is the case, change the cartridge. Here are the instructions.MOEN CARTRIDGE REPLACEMENT There are two different types of Moen cartridge for a single handle valve. The first and most common one is the plastic 1225 cartridge that is used for all Moen single handle valves that are not posi-temp shower valves. This cartridge also comes in brass which is number 1200, but it is more expensive and doesn't last any longer or work any better than the plastic cartridge. The posi temp cartridge is a number 1222. This is the replacement cartridge for shower valves that you turn rather than pull. As you turn the valve it goes from cold to warm to eventually hot. The tools needed for this procedure are pliers, Phillips screwdriver, a small flat screwdriver or awl, a 3/4 inch copper cleaning brush, silicone or heat proof grease, a knife to pull the cap on an acrylic handle, or a 7/64 inch Allen key to remove lever handle. If it is an acrylic handle simply pry off the cap and unscrew the screw with a Phillips screwdriver. If it is a lever handle there is a set screw which is 7/64 of an inch. Use an Allen key to remove this set screw. If it is a lever handle when the handle is removed you must use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the handle adapter. Before removing the cartridge make sure that the water is turned off and open the valve to bleed off the pressure. Leave the valve in the open position as it will facilitate the removal of the cartridge if the spindle is in the open position. It can be turned off at the main which is usually the easiest thing to do, or you can remove the faceplate and there may be integral stops behind the faceplate. Use the integral stops if your water main is hard to reach. On the brass spindle of the cartridge there is a notch on one side. Before you remove the cartridge take note of what position this notch is in because that is the position in which the cartridge will be placed. Do not forget this step as a posi temp cartridge will not function properly if installed with the notch in the wrong place. If you install the regular cartridge with the notch in the wrong place, hot and cold will be reversed. Simply remove the handle and spin the spindle 180°. Pull off the chrome stop tube that encloses the cartridge. There is a horseshoe-shaped retainer clip that must be removed. Use the small screwdriver or all to pry up the top of the retainer clip. A plastic square head removal tool comes with the cartridge that you have purchased. Place this on the cartridge and spend back and forth to loosen the cartridge. Then take your pliers pull the brass spindle straight back towards you. If this proves too difficult and you are unable to pull it out you will have to buy a Moen cartridge pulling tool. Be sure to buy the right tool as they are not interchangeable. The posi temp tool is much fatter than the regular tool. The tool operates the same way a hub puller. Back off the knot on the tool as well as the screw. Place over the cartridge and advance the screw all the way. Now advance the nut. After the cartridge is removed take the 3/4 inch copper cleaning brush and insert into the cartridge housing while spinning clockwise. When removing the brush also keep spinning it clockwise. After brushing, open the water main for about three seconds to flush the line out. When installing the cartridge make sure that your notch is aligned properly and that the cartridge is pushed in all the way and that the two tabs on the cartridge are aligned vertically. Install the retainer clip. If it doesn't go in all the way either the cartridge has not been pushed in foreign off or the two tabs are not aligned properly. You can use the plastic tool to align the tabs properly and to help push in the cartridge all the way. Reassemble faceplate and handle and you are done.

Sure - there is always help at FixYa!

This sounds like a bad cartridge. They can be replaced. To replace the cartridge:

Turn off the water to the tub/shower.
Remove the handle cover (it should pop off)
Remove the center screw (usually phillips head)
Remove the retaining clip holding cartridge in - you can use a pair of long nose piers or a small screwdriver
Grab the cartridge with a pair of pliers and pull straight out. It may require a little force - there are O-rings around the cartridge to keep it from leaking.
Check the cartridge bore (the hole where the cartridge was removed)
Clean any debris or scale - lime away or CLR will work
Apply a little bit of soap around the new cartridge to help it slide in easier. Push it all the way in and make sure it is seated. Re-install the clip (you should have received a new clip with the replacement cartridge)
Turn the water back on a check for leaks
If OK, reinstall the knob screw, and cap.

Let Mom take her warm shower...:)

If it needs to be replaced then do that you might have to go to home depot to find out what you need to solve the water pressure problem usually the valves in the pipes could be an issue hopefully it's not something the plumber has to get involved with that can be pricey but call or visit your local Home Depot store so they can be better to assist you.

If you have a acid rust and calcium remover such as "Lime-Away" or CLR. these may be strong enough to break the rust (the set screw is probably steel) or collected lime holding the threads fast. Some tile/bathroom cleansers also contain mild acids also. Position the handle so a drop or two stay in or, if it disappears, soak a cotton swab in the solution and press it into the screw head. I don't think I would leave either of the commercial products in overnight unless a few hours of soaking doesn't help.

A bit more information is needed; is this a Moentrol or a Posi-temp valve? You will need to shut water down to the shower. If it is a Moentrol, it could be an issue with either the cartridge or the pressure balancing spool. If you are at least getting water, I am going to assume that it is a Moentrol. You will need to turn water off to the valve. Pull the cartridge and examine as to whether or not debris is blocking the supply holes of the cartridge. If your valve has built in shut off screws, you can slowly turn water on to clear any debris that may be inside the inlet port. I typically use a piece of PVC to go over the valve body so that water does not leak between the wall and the shower. Again, just turn water on enough to start it flowing. If you do not notice anything amiss with the cartridge, it could also be the pressure balancing spool. If that is on your valve, it will be a flat head screw about the size of a nickel. Water will need to be off for the removal of the spool as well. Again, you will be looking for debris that is blocking water flow. If this is an older Moen faucet, you may just want to replace the cartridge while you have it removed. If it is a push/pull, it is a Moentrol. If you have to turn the handle for water to come out, it is a Posi-temp. In my area, the cartridges run from $20-$40. However, Moen does offer lifetime on their cartridges. Lately, I have had a few more hoops to jump through to get the replacement cartridges from Moen, but they are still very pleasant to deal with.

Cartridge has been installed upside down. Remove, spin 180 degrees and re-install.

The trap is installed incorrectly

It sound like you have a Moen Posi-temp faucet and the handle is broken. It is probably an acrylic hdle with a tear drop shaped cover. Take a knife and slide it under the cover to pry it off. Unscrew the center screw and the handle will pull right off. You will see two shoulders inside the hdle, one of which will be cracked and broken. Replace the hndle which can be purchased at any Lowes or Home Depot. Plumbing supplies also carry replacements, but you can probably get one cheaper at HD or Lowes.. Make sure to use the washer provided. It has two flats on the inside of washer. Slide this over the brass stem on your cartridge, NOT on the hdle screw. Install it with the flats of the cartridge in horiz. position. Try faucet. If the water comes out in the opposite temp you expect, warm is cold, and cold is warm, remove the hdle, spin the stem 180 degrees and reinstall hdle.Good luck!

I hate to say this but maybe the inside of the allen screw has been rounded out by a previous worker. You can drill the screw out and replace the handle with a new one. NOTE: Moen replacement parts are not cheap!

If it's the one I'm thinking of, remove cap in center, and remove Philips screw, and pull handle off. If you have the hex shaped piece still on the stem, look at underside for an Allen key, set screw and tighten it, and put handle back on.

call moen they will send it out usually at no cost

the cartrige might be it upside down or might be pluged turn water off to house remove handle unsrew cap and remove cartrige then flush out reassamble then turn water back on

Hi,
It seems as though you may have the wrong cartridge....
or it was damaged on installation...
or it is plugged with debris and needs to be flushed...

Click here for a sheet that will help you with all of these possible problems...


Comment back if you have any more questions...

heatman101

you need to pull apart the handle and rotate the cartridge 180 and reassemble and that will put the hot on the left and the cold on the right before you put the screws all back in test it to make sure its correct then reassemble IF THIS HELPED YOU PLEASE VOTE FOR ME AND LEAVE GOOD FEEDBACK

look inside the valve with a flashlight and make sure a rubber peice of the cartridge did not plug the cold side this cartridge needs hot and cold water to function it has a built in balancer that prevents scalding also make sure its not shut down at a manabloc system in the mechanical room if this helped you please feedback vote thanks

here are the instructions for your faucet go down to the adjust temp stop limits section, and your home free Good Luck http://www.moen.com/shared/pdf/instruction_sheets/mt692c.pdf

On your mixing valve, Your hot and cold water should hook to the valve at 9:00 and3:00 positions. You should have two ears at 12:00 and 6:00 positions which are used to screw the faceplate on. If you don't see these ears, the hole that the valve is in may not be big enough for you to see them. If it is tile, they may be covered with tile. If it is fiberglass, you would usually would have an oblong hole, longer at top and bottom, to see ears. If it is fiberglass, you may want to drill through where screws go, and through bolt your valve so it is tight. The hole in tile and/or concrete should be oblong so you can see screw holes.

Only two possibilities here the diverter tub spout is not open all the way to let water to the tub only or the shower valve is installed up-side-down.

http://www.moen.com/shared/pdf/l82691pt.pdf

Remove the handle and see if it will turn off without the handle and if it will reposition the handle alignment and your good to go. If no the cartridge will need to be replaced.