[wengang1]

Hi all.
I installed a shower/tub about five years ago with a moen tub and shower faucet. (see picture)

A few days ago it developed a slight drip, and I started having to give it a little extra tug when turning it off ( handle down position).

Tonight, I turned it only partially on and started getting strong resistance. With a little extra force, I was able to get over the "hump", but it was stuck in a range. I took the handle off and the black plastic thing, and used a vise grip to see if it could turn freely (thought maybe it was set screw or plastic piece screw). In the current state (see pic) the brass piece turns 360 with a little effort, but there is no off position. Water just keeps coming out. I put the black plastic piece back on, but in the normal stop position (set screw hole down), water is still coming out basically full force.

What has happened here?
Thanks.

 

[hkstroud]

.........................

 

[wengang1]

Well, I didn't call Moen. I went to Lowes and bought the cartridge because I wanted the shower back on today. It went smoothly. Thanks.

But, to my surprise. I still have the drip. One drop every few seconds.
Where is the culprit?

Thanks again.

 

[Colbyt]

Your drip may be from water that passed the diverter and went up the shower feed.


Turn it off and leave it overnight to check for a 'real' leak.

 

[wengang1]

Yep, that's what it was. Stopped leaking in short order.

Now, for a real laugh. I got done this morning, tested it, and was happy to check it off the list. Spent the day doing a lot of other dirty jobs around the house. Finally ready to call it a day and shower off. Turn on the water, and within seconds, it's blowing out from behind the handle. Given the circumstances (water shutoff is under the house or outside at the panel turning off the pump), I decided to debug it then and there. The cartridge had pushed forward. I pushed it back in several times but it just wouldn't stay. After much puzzling, I look down at the floor beside the tub and see the retaining clip.

Long day.

 

[Colbyt]

Welcome to the joys of DIY plumbing.

 

[miamicuse]

Welcome to the joys of DIY plumbing.

The more joy comes from after taking apart a kitchen sink p-trap to clean out the gunk inside and caught all with a bucket underneath, then removed the bucket and raised it up to the sink and pour everything right in without thinking.

 

[Colbyt]

The more joy comes from after taking apart a kitchen sink p-trap to clean out the gunk inside and caught all with a bucket underneath, then removed the bucket and raised it up to the sink and pour everything right in without thinking.

I've never done that but to be honest I came very close.

 

[hkstroud]

Call Moen and get the cartridge you are going to need 10 years from now. The leak was probably actually cause by the cartridge not being completely seated.


Be thankful that the clip didn't go down the drain.

Would also like to say that the reason I recommend installing cartridges in the open position is you are trying to push a water and air tight cartridge in to a cylinder filled with air and sometimes partially filled with water. To do that you must compress the air, you will not compress any water.

Having the cartridge in the open position allows the air and any water to escape out the spout.

Took me a while to realize that.

 

[huesmann]

If you've turned off the house supply valve and opened the lowest valves in the house there shouldn't be any incompressible water to deal with. Unless your valve in question is the lowest in the house!