How To Replace The O-Ring On A Moen Kitchen Faucet

Over time and with regular use, faucet parts begin to fail. If your kitchen faucet is dripping, it may be time to look inside the faucet and see what is causing the problem.

In Moen faucets, there is a spool with a rubber O-ring. If the O-ring is damaged, the faucet may start leaking. Replacing this part is not difficult and will only take a few minutes of your time.

To replace a faulty O-ring in a Moen kitchen faucet, follow the instructions below.

Replacing the O-ring

First, you need to turn off the water supply to the faucet. Many sinks have a shut-off valve underneath, but if your sink does not, you will need to turn off the main water supply. Now that the water supply is turned off, you can begin disassembling the faucet.

Here’s what you’ll need for this project

• Flathead screwdriver
• Utility knife
• Adjustable wrench
• Hexagonal/ Allen wrench
• Replacement O-ring
• Plumber’s grease

Use a hobby knife to carefully pry off the cover in the middle of the Moen faucet handle. The set screw should be underneath. Use your hex wrench to remove the hex screw. To remove the handle, pull it off the faucet valve. Then you can use an adjustable wrench to remove the set nut.

Once the retaining nut is removed, you can lift the spool out of the faucet valve body. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the O-ring from the spool. Now that you have removed the faulty O-ring, liberally grease the replacement part with the plumber’s grease.

You may be able to buy an O-ring replacement kit that has the correct size.

On a single-handle faucet, you’ll need to remove the retaining nut, twist the spout back and forth, and pull it up to remove it.

Replace the O-ring, then put the spool back into the faucet body and replace the retaining nut. Reinstall the handle and screw on the handle screw. Snap the screw cap back into place.

Now, turn on the water source and check for leaks.

When should I replace the O-ring?

Every part in a faucet will wear out over time, including the O-ring. A worn O-ring will usually cause the faucet to leak, which is a sure sign that it needs to be replaced. A damaged O-ring may also produce pulsating high water pressure from the faucet, indicating the need for replacement.

Why Is My Moen Faucet Still Leaking After The Cartridge Has Been Replaced?

If you have recently replaced the cartridge in your Moen faucet to try to fix the leak and it is still leaking, it may be time to replace the other parts of the faucet, including the washer and O-ring. The rubber seat where the cartridge sits can become worn, causing water to leak out of the gap. Worn O-rings can also cause leaks, so remember to check them as well.

What size O-ring do I need for Moen kitchen faucets?

The size of Moen kitchen replacement parts varies depending on the model. You will need to check the ID number of the O-ring, measure the size, or take the O-ring to a hardware store to purchase a replacement.

On Moen single-lever kitchen faucets, the replacement size is the same for each single-lever model. You can check your faucet manual for sizes, or contact Moen for assistance if you are having difficulty. However, there should also be an ID number on the O-ring that you can use to find the exact size of your O-ring.