Moen Lifetime Warranty - Changing Out Tub or Sink Cartridges

We have a large whirlpool tub that is in a bathroom that doesn't get used much. It is such a blessing when we do want to use it and I am grateful for it but it doesn't often get used with how busy we have been. 

I went to take a bath the other night and noticed water in the tub and a trail of water minerals down the front of the tub. The faucet was leaking and by the look of the minerals in the bottom of the tub, it had been leaking for some time.

Make sure you go to a Moen Dealer or call Moen Directly to get your cartridges. They have a lifetime warranty so they are free. If you can't get one from a dealer, you can buy replacements at Ace but Moen can send you one also. 
 
Here is a video I made on youtube showing how to change it out quickly. Turn off the water to the house. Relieve the pressure on the faucet by turning on some other faucets and flushing a few toilets so there won't be a burst of water when you pull the cartridge out. 
 
You will need a screwdriver and some pliers and the new cartridge. It takes about ten minutes to fix. 

Pull off the plastic face cover on the handle. Then, use a screwdriver to take the center screw out to get the handle off. After the screw is out, pull the plastic handle off. Be aware that a little washer may come off as you pull off the handle. It may stay on the tip of the cartridge but just be aware there is one. 
 
Once you have the handle off, unscrew the two screws holding the face plate on. Take off the face plate and then there is a round shield on the outside of the cartridge that you can just pull off. If it is stiff, you can use pliers to get it off but use a cloth between the pliers and the metal so you don't scrape it. 
 
 There is a little "U" shaped clip that pulls out the top and will only go back in if the new cartridge is put in right. 

I show the clip close up so you can see what it looks like. It should slide in fairly easy when you replace it so make sure you don't force it, if it isn't going back in easily, make sure you twist the cartridge so the lips are up and down and it will slide in easily. 
 
Once you have that clip out, there is a white or clear plastic tool that you slide onto the end of the cartridge. Once it is on securely, use pliers to wiggle the cartridge around and around in the pipe and it will get loose. 
 
At this point, you use pliers to gently pull out the old cartridge. Many times, water comes out with the old cartridge and sometimes some hardened minerals will also come out. 

Slide the new cartridge in. You can use the plastic tool to push it in further if needed. Twist it with the lip up so you can slide the clip back in. 
 
Once the "U" clip is in place, you slide the metal sleeve back on, then put the face plate back on. Make sure at this point you put the washer back on and then screw the handle back on and replace the plastic cover on the center of the handle. 
 
Turn the water back on for the house and test out the faucet. Once, I had the handle on upside down and the hot came out where the cold should. 

If this happens, you can just take off the handle, use the tool leaving all the other stuff on. Put the tool on and rotate half way around and put the handle back on. You don't need to turn the water off again or take out the cartridge or anything. 
 
I also needed to clean out the mineral drips from the tub and the bottom of the tub where it had been dripping. 

The best cleaner I have found for minerals is "Tub and Tile" cleaner from Melaleuka. It has "tea tree" oil in it and I have used it for 25 years. It is wonderful on the shower doors for getting the water marks off.

I also use it on my windows where the sprinklers hit them and leave mineral marks. It is the best stuff I have ever used and many neighbors have asked what I use to clean my windows and have purchased some.   
I love the way the tub and tile makes the stainless steel look. I use it on my faucets all the time as well. 

I actually bought a case of the stuff a few years ago as I didn't want to have to pay handling over and over. 

I have had to replace these cartridges many times over the years. There are instructions in the case and if you watch the youtube video, you will see how easy it is. 

It has been nice to get a few things done lately around the house. In just a few weeks, I got the windows all washed, the front door painted, the garage door fixed, the cartridge changed out and cleaned out the front garden beds. 

You know how busy we have been with Princess Four doing so many things so for me to get any of that done during the same crazy weeks has been an accomplishment.