There is probably some hard water deposits inside the valve where the cartridge O rings and seal make contact. The slightest deposit will break the seal and you'll have a drip. Get some fine emery paper and gently clean out the valve making sure it's totally smooth inside. Then get some plumber's grease, coat the cartridge and reinstall. Hopefully you didn't damage the O rings inserting the cartridge the first time.

Answer from JACK on Stack Exchange
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Home Repair Tutor
homerepairtutor.com › how to fix a leaky faucet
Fix a Leaky Moen Bathroom Faucet in less than 15 minutes
October 22, 2023 - I always encourage you to take pictures of the process in case you need to refer back to how the setup use to be before it was fiddled with. In the case of this Moen faucet I needed to unscrew the base of the faucet handle.
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › nrgac-moen-bathroom-faucet-handles-small-holes.html
Moen Faucet Handle Leaking? How to Remove & Fix – FAQ
To remove Moen faucet handles with small holes, insert a flathead screwdriver or hex key into the hole to access the set screw. Loosen the screw carefully and pull the handle straight off.
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Moen Solutions
solutions.moen.com › article library
Bathroom Faucet: Dripping From The Spout - Moen Solutions
April 11, 2025 - This article will explain the most common reasons for water to drip out of the end of the spout of a bathroom faucet.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/diy › moen faucet develops leak 6 months after "fixing it"
r/DIY on Reddit: Moen faucet develops leak 6 months after "fixing it"
August 25, 2023 -

I have a Moen Wynford Double Handle Widespread Bathroom Faucet that was installed about 3 years ago. It's a high arc faucet.

It leaks.

Here's some background:

I know these sort of faucets can have some residual water sitting on top the aerator when it's turned off. When I test to see just how much it leaks I remove the aerator and dry out the spout with a paper towel.

About 6 months after installation, the faucet started leaking so I purchased and replaced the cartridges. I figured I had a one-off issue and hoped they would last longer than 6 months. There was no calcium buildup on the cartridge that was replaced and it looks intact.

Some months later the faucet started leaking again. I called Moen and they sent valve replacements. I installed the valves. It stopped leaking and then about 6 months or so later it started leaking again.

I said to myself, I must be doing something wrong. All of the help videos on fixing leaky Moen faucets talk about replacing the cartridge and there's no indication of any other known issues.

So I called Moen again. After the initial discussion about the issue, the customer rep said they would send replacement cartridges to me. I asked if I could speak with someone about the installation and what might be the problem. Nope.

I said: Hold on a second. There's something that either I'm doing wrong or a problem with the design or QC. The rep said to the effect: When we send you these cartridges you'll have replaced all the "working parts" of the faucet so there's nothing more to be done. After I installed new cartridges, the leak stopped and then started a matter of months later.

Here's something I noticed (and it's been mentioned in other posts and web sites). After a while, the handles develop a lot of play. Normally when turning a faucet off, one turns the handle to the point where it stops travel. That stop position seems to migrate. There seems to be a lot of play in the handle. (The base of the handle is securely installed and does not turn.) There's not a lot of resistance to it but the play is appreciable. I found videos related to this and the fix was to tighten the phillips head screw connecting the handle to the base. I checked this and the screws were tight.

I'm not sure if the free play I'm noticing is related to the problem but I figured I would mention it.

So I'm ready to forget about Moen and move on to something else. Unfortunately we've coordinated our bathroom fixtures with the Wynford style. The vanity has three holes to facilitate the double handle style.

Any insights will be appreciated.

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Moen Solutions
solutions.moen.com › article library
Bathroom Faucet: Leaking Around the Base of the Faucet - Moen Solutions
April 11, 2025 - This article will explain the most common reasons for water to leak around the deck plate of a bathroom faucet.
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Coohom
coohom.com › article › moen-double-handle-bathroom-faucet-repair
Moen Double Handle Bathroom Faucet Repair Tips
April 3, 2025 - To restore smooth operation, disassemble the handle as previously described and apply a silicone-based lubricant to the stems before reassembling the faucet.For regular maintenance, it’s a good idea to periodically check for leaks and clean ...
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › hg6ho-moen-ca84913-handle-bathroom-faucet.html
Expert Guide: Moen 2-Handle Bathroom Faucet Repair & Cartridge Replacement
Customer: I have a two-handle bathroom faucet that is leaking. I want to replace the hot water cartridge, but I'm having trouble removing the handle. I'm unsure if the button on top of the handle can be removed, and the small hole on the side seems more like a relief port than a set screw.
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Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-fix-a-leaky-bathroom-sink-faucet-double-handle
How to fix a leaky bathroom sink faucet double handle - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): Turn the water off on both the hot and cold lines. Pop off the decorative center in the handles. Underneath you will find a screw head to loosen and take the parts out.
Find elsewhere
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › repair-a-two-handle-cartridge-faucet-1824887
How to Fix a Leaky 2-Handle Faucet
May 24, 2006 - Reinstall the faucet handle and setscrew or Phillips screw as well as the decorative cap, as applicable. Turn on the shutoff valve for the water supply to the tap by opening it counterclockwise all the way.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Repair Leaking Moen Bathroom Faucet - YouTube
If you have a leaking Moen bathroom faucet, this video will show you how to fix it. Regardless of the brand of faucet you have whether Moen, Delta, Price Pfi...
Published   July 3, 2022
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/diy › moen bathroom faucet leaking
r/DIY on Reddit: Moen Bathroom faucet leaking
November 1, 2021 -

Hi everyone recently I started to notice that my Moen bathroom faucet is leaking under the cabinet right below the faucet (see red arrow here https://imgur.com/a/WBT5AzX). I called the plumber and they said I would need to contact Moen to order the part but the plumber never told me what part so what failed part could possibly be causing that leak? When I contact Moen what should I tell them there where is it leaking from since I cant show them the photo so posting here for help as you guys can see the photo here. Thanks

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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › g6m89-30-year-old-moen-bathroom-faucet-leaks.html
Expert Solutions for Moen Bathroom Faucet Repair - JustAnswer Plumbing
Remove the handle by loosening the set screw, often hidden under a decorative cap. Use a cartridge puller or pliers to extract the valve cartridge. Inspect the valve seat and O-ring for damage or mineral buildup.
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Rooter Guard
rooterguard.com › home › uncategorized › how to fix a dripping moen bathroom faucet
How To Fix A Dripping Moen Bathroom Faucet | Rooter Guard®®
April 18, 2025 - If there are no leaks, repeat the whole process. Turn off the left shutoff valve and turn on the left handle to release the remaining water. Check for any leaks. If there are leaks, the seal in the left handle could use a fix. Taking apart the faucet is no fun, especially if you’re not too savvy at it.
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Pinterest
pinterest.com › pin › 462041242992466429
How to repair a set of leaky 2 handle Moen washerless ...
A step by step repair of a set of 2 handle Moen faucets.
Published   February 16, 2014
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › diy projects & ideas › home improvement ideas › diy plumbing
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet - The Home Depot
July 23, 2025 - Using a wrench, loosen the packing nut in the handle assembly. Remove and set aside. Gently pull the part straight up and out of the assembly. Now that you’ve inspected the cartridge or stem and identified it as the source of your dripping kitchen faucet or bathroom faucet leak, you’ll have to replace it.
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Moen Solutions
solutions.moen.com › article library
Shower Faucet: Leaking- Two or Three Handle: Standard Valve - Moen Solutions
April 15, 2025 - This article will help you determine the solution to the problem of a leaking shower. This valve system utilizes a 1224 flow cartridge. For additional information on Moen products visit solutions.moen.com and select the type of faucet you are repairing. The faucet guide will contain repair details, troubleshooting and specific information on assembling handles associated with that style of product.
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › 65c6z-trying-repair-leaking-moen-bathroom-faucet-took.html
Expert Tips: How to Fix a Leaky Moen Bathroom Faucet - JustAnswer Plumbing
I am trying to repair a leaking moen bathroom faucet; I took the handle off and then unscrew the brass. However, I do
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Wikihow
wikihow.com › home and garden › home maintenance › bathrooms › 4 easy ways to fix a leaky bathroom sink faucet with a double handle
How to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Sink Faucet with a Double ...
February 24, 2025 - You can also check your faucet's user manual for a specific part number.[18] X Research source ... Drop the neoprene seal in place, then set the stem on top. The correct stem will slot right into place.