My house was built 5 years ago with typical builder quality junk. The main bath is a single lever setup and yesterday it became really hard to shutoff. Today it just totally spun and I couldn't get the shower to turn off at all. I took the handle off thinking that was just broken and wasn't turning the valve closed, but it wouldn't even turn off when I spin the brass piece protruding from the assembly. Do I have to replace the whole valve? The issue is that I would have to remove some tile to get to it and it would be a total pain in the ass.

This is what I have -

https://www.easyplumbing.com/m...4FsnORAaAguIEALw_wcB

If you can identify manufacture you can usually buy a new insert, If not online I have had good luck just going to Menards. Remember turn off house water before taking apart.

No just replace the cartridge.

The two little brass knobs/valves on the left and right of the cartridge with slots in them are shut off valves. Turn them so the slot is up and down. That will shut water off to the unit.

That clip you see at the top above the brass piece the handle connects to is called a "Jesus clip" pull it up but don't lose it. Once it's out you can pull the cartridge out. Make sure the water is off before you do this.

Call Moen and see if it's under warranty. They may send you a new one. If not take it to your local hardware store or plumbing supply and get a new one.

The unit has a limited lifetime warranty, so give Moen a call. I've had good luck talking with them on faucet repairs, and they are usually willing to help a DIYer out.

It may be the valve stem and its gates can be replaced easily (I'd be surprised if that wasn't the case).

Make sure you get the tool they make to remove the cartridge. A lot easier then trying to pry the old one out. It's inexpensive.

Take a picture of the valve and call Moen and they will send you a free replacement valve.

https://www.moen.com/parts

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
Take a picture of the valve and call Moen and they will send you a free replacement valve.

https://www.moen.com/parts

This. I have done it. It didn’t take too long to arrive.

No, you don't need to replace the entire valve. Just the user-replaceable cartridge. You'll need to get used to replacing those on your showers anyway, every 10ish years or so.

For that particular unit, you want a Moen 1222 cartridge. You can get them at any hardware store, or online. Replacement is simple to do, as described by comet24. There are also Youtube videos out there too, like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjKZiY5QjQg

Buying their proprietary cartridge removal tool isn't strictly necessary, but can sometimes make it easier, especially if you have a heavily corroded old cartridge that really doesn't want to come out. (Moen doesn't even use it in their own how-to videos I linked above. I'd start by simply trying to do it like they do in the video, with just a pair of pliers.)

Just make sure to shut off the water before trying to remove the cartridge, either by shutting off the supply to just that valve using the two brass knobs described by comet24, or by cutting off the water to the whole house. Then once you've replaced the cartridge, don't forget to turn the water back on to the valve/house.

SF comes through again. I'll give moen a call in the morning! Looks easy enough after watching that YouTube video. Thank God I don't have to replace the tile.

One minor issue is that the shut off valves aren't totally shutting that water off... it's still dropping from the shower head. I'll just shut off the whole house when I'm replacing it.

For what it's worth I replaced the cartridge on mine that was similar. I have zero mechanical skills. Used a friend who is a little more handy and YouTube, worked just fine.

Mine was a Delta (old style) and it was easy to replace the cartridge with the help of a pair of channel lock pliers.
The shower extension however is a different story. City water dissolved yet another plumbing part and...hello drywall! You gotta go so I can get to the galvanized pipe and replace it.

Glad yours is an easy fix.

Three Stooges - A Plumbing We Will Go

They sell a tool at HD and Lowe's to pull the cartridge out, but half of the time you can get the cartridge out without the special tool.

This tool
https://www.wayfair.com/Moen--...l?refid=BR49-MOE2520

quote:

couldn't get the shower to turn off

Couldn't shut off? Like this???!!!

quote:

Originally posted by AirmanJeff:
One minor issue is that the shut off valves aren't totally shutting that water off... it's still dropping from the shower head. I'll just shut off the whole house when I'm replacing it.

Still dripping for how long? The water goes up from the valve, turns, comes out and down to the shower head. You may get some dripping for a little while anyway, even if those two valves work perfectly.

That said, I’m a big fan of the “belt and suspenders” approach when shutting off water or electricity prior to working on it.

quote:

Originally posted by AirmanJeff:
My house was built 5 years ago with typical builder quality junk.

Don't be too quick to judge, Moen makes some very good stuff, and has for a long time... however they do also make, or used to make, a cheeper line as well. I have been out of the business a long time however, so...

In my dealing with them in the past they ranked a solid A+. We used to buy fixtures from them a case at a time and one quick call for a single repair part usually resulted in a dozen for stock... free of charge.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:

quote:

Originally posted by AirmanJeff:
My house was built 5 years ago with typical builder quality junk.

Don't be too quick to judge, Moen makes some very good stuff, and has for a long time... however they do also make, or used to make, a cheeper line as well. I have been out of the business a long time however, so...

In my dealing with them in the past they ranked a solid A+. We used to buy fixtures from them a case at a time and one quick call for a single repair part usually resulted in a dozen for stock... free of charge.

They absolutely do make a cheaper line. I needed to replace my single knob kitchen faucet, my kitchen has a large white kohler sink, so the only decent brand white faucet was Moen, well, the entire thing is made out of plastic and kind of cheaply made at that, yet certainly not cheaply priced. I had everything apart, and didn't want to run around town looking for a better one so I installed it. The spray wand doesn't like to sit perfectly in the base etc.

This POS
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Moen-...tchen-Faucet/3118585

I had to replace the cartridges in my Moen shower, then the hot lav valve, then the cold valve all within 2 months. Almost like an apple phone? built-in lifespan?

while you are at it, replace the shut off valves with 1/4 turn valves...