How To Clean Moen Kitchen Faucet Head

Moen Kitchen Faucet Repair

Moen kitchen faucet repair jobs are not as difficult as many people may imagine. One of the biggest names in faucets, Moen faucets are extremely well made and designed to last for years without worry. But even Moen faucets will start dripping over time. Luckily, fixing the plumbing problem is easy enough that even a novice can do it.

Moen Kitchen Faucet Repairs and Problems

The most common problem with Moen kitchen faucets is that like most faucets, they start to drip after extensive use. However, in many cases it's not a worn washer or a bad cartridge that's causing the drip. Depending on the water in your area, it may be a build-up of calcium, lime or rust that's forcing the water out in a drip.

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You can remove and clean the cartridge using a fifty-fifty solution of vinegar and distilled water.

Removing and Cleaning the Cartridge

Before you remove the cartridge, turn the water supply valves off. The valves should be located in the cabinet below the kitchen sink. Remove all of the cleaning supplies and stored items from the sink cabinet so you can easily reach the valves. Turn the valve knobs clockwise until they are all the way off.

Turn on the faucet to make sure there's no water in the lines.

Use an Allen wrench to loosen the nut on the handle so it can slide off. Depending on the model of faucet, there may be a U-shaped clip holding the cartridge in place. If your model has a retaining clip, remove it with a pair of needle-nose pliers. If it doesn't have a retaining clip, it will be held in place with a retaining nut; loosen and remove the nut with a small adjustable wrench.

Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the cartridge out of the faucet's body. If the faucet is old, this may take some effort. For really stubborn cartridges, Moen sells a cartridge puller that's designed specifically for this purpose. It will provide you with greater leverage and the cartridge will come out much easier.

Make a batch of the vinegar and water solution (or use a commercial product for getting rid of calcium, lime and rust) and let the cartridge soak in it for about four hours. Once finished, clean off the cartridge and re-install it back in the faucet.

When you set the cartridge back in its seat, make sure it is pushed all the way down and seated firmly to ensure a tight fit. Tighten the retaining nut or replace the retaining clip. Slide the handle down over the cartridge and tighten the Allen nut to finish the job.

Turn the water supply valves back on and wait to see if the faucet drips. If it doesn't drip, turn the faucet on for a few seconds, then turn it off. If it doesn't drip, the cartridge is still good and only needed to be cleaned. If it starts to drip, the cartridge is going bad and should be replaced with a new one.

To replace the cartridge, simply follow these directions again and instead of cleaning and reinstalling the old cartridge, simply insert a brand new cartridge.

Other Types of Faucet Repairs

Occasionally, the water coming out of the faucet will not pour straight down but will come out in a spray with streams of water shooting off in wild directions. When this happens, there is usually something caught in the mesh of the aerator. Remove the aerator by unscrewing it. You may have to use a wrench to get it started, but once it's loose you can unscrew it by hand.

Clean the debris out of the aerator in another sink or let it soak in the vinegar and water solution. Once cleaned, return it to its place and tighten it down with the wrench.

Repair Tips

When you're performing a Moen kitchen faucet repair, check the O-ring on the cartridge to make sure it is still in good condition. It's located at the base of the cartridge and over time, it can become worn down or cracked, causing water to leak from the base of the faucet. If it looks worn or if your faucet is leaking around its base, replace the ring or the entire cartridge.

These instructions are for a single-handled faucet. If your Moen faucet has two handles, you will have to perform these steps on both handles.

Many of Moen's kitchen faucets come with a lifetime warranty which covers the cost of replacement cartridges. Call the company's service department at 1-800-465-6130 or their customer service department at 1-800-465-6636 to order a replacement cartridge. Have the model number of your faucet handy when calling.