Moen (company)
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Moen is a manufacturer of faucets and other fixtures founded by inventor Al Moen. The company is headquartered in North Olmsted, Ohio.
Moen was originally part of Ravenna Metal Products of Seattle, Washington. In 1956, it became part of Stanadyne, Inc., which was in turn acquired by Forstmann-Little & Company in 1988. Today, Moen is part of consumer-products holding company Fortune Brands.
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[edit] Faucet design
Most Moen kitchen, lavatory, and bathtub/shower faucets are of the single-handle design, and almost all have used the same basic water-controlling cartridge since the 1960s. Known as the Moen 1225, it is a plastic (older versions were brass) cylinder approximately 4 inches long by 3/4 inches in diameter. As the "engine" in most Moen single-handle faucets, it has undergone at least two revisions since its inception though newer versions remain compatible with older faucets. Pulling up the stem of the cartridge opens the water supply; rotating toward the left opens the hot water passages while rotating to the right opens the cold water passages (using the standard North American convention of the hot water control on the left).
Later Moen bathtub/shower controls with single handles use a larger cartridge with a pressure balancing mechanism which compensates for sudden pressure changes in either the hot or cold water supply (as caused by a toilet being flushed while someone is showering). The design goal is to maintain the temperature of the shower for safety and comfort reasons, even if the volume of water is reduced. The cartridge is known as the 1224. The operation is similar to the 1225 (above) though the cartridge is approximately 1 inch in diameter to allow space for the pressure balancing mechanism.
[edit] Single handle repair
Should the faucet drip from the spout, shut off the water supply (and the water heater, if it will lose its water supply—if gas, follow the manufacturer's lighting instructions afterwards). Remove the handle and pivot mechanism (if equipped), then the small copper clip which retains the cartridge. Wiggle the cartridge's plastic tangs back and forth to free the cartridge (it may be stiff after several years of use) then pull the stem straight out to remove it. If the cartridge is too stuck take the screw and screw it in a little then take a pair of pliers and yank on the screw, should that fail buy/rent a moen cartridge puller. Take the cartridge to any Moen retailer, where the plumbing department should provide you with a free replacement. Installation is the reverse, and the cartridge is symmetrical; orientation does not matter.
Replacement 1225 cartridges are currently B-series (ie. 1225B), a clear plastic cylinder with two external O-rings and two rubber "bumpers" on opposing sides. Replacement 1224s are currently white and will probably be identical to the original. Retain the white cap which comes with the new cartridge and tape it to the shut-off valve so you can find it next time you need it. The cap is designed to allow use of a wrench to free a stuck cartridge. Cartridge lifespan is dependent on frequency of use and quality of local water supply, but is typically around ten years.
If, after the replacement, the hot and cold water supplies are reversed (hot is left, cold is right, by North American building code), remove the handle and rotate the cartridge's stem 180 degrees.
[edit] Double handle repair
Double-handle faucets (ie. separate hot and cold knobs) are repaired in much the same way, but are much less popular and therefore far less frequently encountered. Take both the hot and cold cartridges to your local Moen retailer should either one leak. If the cartridges are washerless, replacements should be provided free of charge. Most recent faucets will use the 1248 cartridge. Replace both at the same time, as one usually fails shortly after the other.
[edit] Spout leaks
Should a kitchen faucet leak between the spout and the handle or between the spout and the base, request a spout O-ring kit. Remove the handle, diverter assembly (if equipped with a side sprayer), spout retainer and spout. Clean all components with a soft cloth. Look for damage to the brass surfaces. Lubricate all rubber parts and wear surfaces with the silicone grease provided in the kit, then reassemble being careful not to cross-thread the spout retainer. Never use any other lubricant on your faucet other than silicone grease because it will rust and corrode. Should the leak continue, contact Moen.
[edit] Sprayer repair
If a kitchen side-sprayer does not operate properly (ie. stays on or doesn't start when the button is pressed), disassemble and take the brass and plastic collar with two thin O-rings (the diverter assembly) to a Moen retailer. At the same time, take with you the cartridge (exclusively a 1225). Ask for a replacement diverter, a replacement cartridge, and an O-ring kit. Lubricate all parts with the silicone grease provided in the O-ring kit prior to reassembly.
