Why Is My Moen Motionsense Touchless Faucet Dripping?

Why Is My Moen Motionsense Touchless Faucet Dripping

Moen’s MotionSense sensorless technology is a fancy one that is used in almost all kitchens. It gets rid of the manual labour required to turn on the tap in favour of flapping hands and a magical flow of water. The technology in the tap allows it to regulate the flow of water through movement, powered by batteries. But, like most other technical devices, it is bound to have little problems here and there.

If the spout on your Moen MotionSense contactless faucet dripping, there are several potential culprits. If you’re scratching your head and wondering what’s causing this technology to strike, and water to sneak out of the tap even when you’re not waving at it, then you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out more!

What Can Cause A Dripping Tap?

A range of culprits can cause your taps to leak, from problems with the O-ring to problems with the washer. Here are some of the common causes.

• Oring problems. The O-ring in your faucet is vital to proper function. It is a small disc attached to the stem screw which holds the tap handle in place. A loose or worn O-ring can cause the tap to leak.
• Corrosion on the valve seat. When the leak originates or appears to originate from the spout, the problem may be with the valve seat. The seat connects the tap to the spout and when sand builds up, it can corrode the seat and cause the tap to leak.
• Problems with the washer. Washer fatigue can also cause your kitchen faucet to drip. The washer rests on the seat and the friction between the two may cause the washer to wear over time. If the washer is not the right size or installed correctly, it can also lead to leaks.
• Loose parts. In some cases, if the sink handle is leaking, the problem may be as simple as a loose part. Tightening the packing nut may help to correct the leak.

How To Fix A Leaking Faucet

The correct way to fix a Moen MotionSense contactless tap depends on where it is leaking. So try to find out where the leak is. Is it leaking from the spout? Or is it a slow leak from the handle?

Once you have determined this, you can then repair it with the appropriate materials.

Solving The Problem Of Dripping Water From The Handle

If the handle is leaking, the nut inside the tap handle may be loose. In this case, the repair is quick and easy. Here’s what you’ll need.

• Allen spanner
• Crescent spanner

First, remove the handle. Locate the hexagonal screw near the bottom of the handle, then remove the screw by turning it counter-clockwise with the Allen key. Once you have pulled the handle away, there will be a circular base underneath the handle covering the fixing nut.

Depending on the type of tap, you may be able to simply pull the round base out of the tap body. Others, however, will require you to twist it to remove it. Once removed, locate the large plastic fixing nut. If it is loose, there is a good chance that it is causing a leak.

Use your hand or a crescent spanner to tighten it. Be careful not to over-tighten it as you don’t want to strip the threads. Once tightened, check your repair by turning on the water and watching for leaks. If the repair is successful, go ahead and reinstall the handle.

Replacing The Spool

A defective tap spool can also cause leaks. You may notice that you have to position the handle just right or it will drip, which could indicate a faulty spool. Fortunately, Moen offers a lifetime warranty on its tap cartridges, so repairs should be fairly inexpensive. In addition, the tap is designed to be simple to use, so you won’t need a tap puller to remove the tap.

Here’s what you’ll need.

• Crescent spanner
• Allen spanner
• Replacement cartridge

Before you start your project, you need to turn off the water. There may be a water shut-off valve under the sink, but if not, you will have to restrict the flow of water throughout the house by turning off the main water supply valve.

Once you have turned off the water supply, drain the water from the pipes by running the tap for a few seconds. You can then proceed with your project once the water line is clear. Follow the exact directions we outlined above for removing the handle using the Allen key.

With the handle out, use the crescent spanner to remove the retaining nut. Set the retaining nut aside and pull the cartridge of the tap straight out. Insert the replacement piece and replace the nut. Reinstall the handle and turn on the water supply. Check your handiwork.

Refer To The User Manual

Moen’s user manual has a troubleshooting section. If the above repairs do not help, please refer to the above manual for additional help. If you are still unable to resolve the problem, please contact a professional plumber or Moen’s customer support.