I contacted Moen directly with this same question and they let me know that they recommended a model 1225 replacement cartridge instead (that's what I get for trusting the guy at the hardware store to look up the matching part for me). Technically either one will work but apparently the plastic 1225 offers a tighter fit than the brass (and more expensive) 1220.
Moen also recommended cleaning out the inside of the valve with an old toothbrush or bottle brush and then flushing thoroughly before installing the new cartridge.
I will update this once I know if the new cartridge resolves my leak.
Update: After the installation of the model 1225 cartridge, the faucet works without any leaks from the stem. With the addition of a new knob the whole fixture is working better than new.
The moral of the story here is, when in doubt, try to contact the vendor (and post your results!)
Answer from Dave Forgac on Stack ExchangeMoen Bathroom faucet leaking
Moen bathroom sink faucet leaks.
plumbing - How can I fix a Moen faucet that is still leaking after replacing cartridge? - Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Moen faucet develops leak 6 months after "fixing it"
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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
I have this leaking bathroom facet with no set screws or anything on the handle. It’s a push-pull, turn left/right faucet. I am trying to find a way to take it apart to examine the cartridge for replacement. Using Google’s image search led me to a Reddit post here for a shower handle with the same design. The post says the top part unscrews, but not sure which direction it unscrews or what I have to hold down. I’m using the knowledge in that post, but I’m uncertain if those directions apply to a bathroom faucet. Any help appreciated.
I contacted Moen directly with this same question and they let me know that they recommended a model 1225 replacement cartridge instead (that's what I get for trusting the guy at the hardware store to look up the matching part for me). Technically either one will work but apparently the plastic 1225 offers a tighter fit than the brass (and more expensive) 1220.
Moen also recommended cleaning out the inside of the valve with an old toothbrush or bottle brush and then flushing thoroughly before installing the new cartridge.
I will update this once I know if the new cartridge resolves my leak.
Update: After the installation of the model 1225 cartridge, the faucet works without any leaks from the stem. With the addition of a new knob the whole fixture is working better than new.
The moral of the story here is, when in doubt, try to contact the vendor (and post your results!)
The same thing happened to me when I tried to replace the original Moen brass cartridge with a new brass cartridge (1220). I went to Lowe's and bought the plastic cartridge (1225) and put it in. No leaks, and the valve works with a finger tip touch. No more pulling on the knob to get the water started. In addition, with the original valve removed, I cleaned the inside of the housing with Lime-Away and a toothbrush so that it would be extra clean.
Who would have thought the plastic valve would be better than the brass?
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.
This is a 20+ year old Moen fixture that has a slow drip on the hot side. I'm trying to replace the cartridge to fix it.
Anyone know how to get this cartridge out of the faucet? (the white plastic part).
Ive tried channel locks. I tried by hand. I also tried to locate a notch to slip a small flathead screwdriver in to ply it up (saw that on YouTube) but not seeing that notch either.
https://imgur.com/a/XRMPxzi
Friend's faucet. When the faucet is turned on, water leaks from down under the sink, in the back, right where the faucet is attached to the sink. (see pics link below).
The rods, fasteners and nuts are well rusted.
My question is, will replacing the valve stem possibly stop the leak, or is the leak within the faucet itself, thus needing replacement?
I'm not so worried about the cost of a new faucet, or being able to put a new one in, but worry about the difficulty in getting the old one out, with the level of rust. But I don't want to get/pay/install the stem if it's probably futile.
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