ARCORA FAUCETS
Moen Single Handle Kitchen Faucet Troubleshooting Repair Guide
Perhaps you’ve started a plumbing project involving the removal of a Moen single-lever kitchen faucet. The project was supposed to take a half-hour at most, and you’ve spent hours on it. Or, maybe you need to disassemble the faucet but have absolutely no idea where to start.
Either way, it can be frustrating, especially when a quick fix magically turns into a day-long affair. Fortunately, we’re here to help. So if you’re in a bind trying to disassemble (or reassemble) your Moen Single Handle Kitchen Faucet, you’re in the right place.
Moen Faucet Parts
All faucets are slightly different, but they have the same basic components. We have found that it can be helpful to know what each of these small parts is and where it fits in the grand scheme of things. This is where the Moen kitchen faucet repair diagram comes in handy.
Universal Body Diagram
Moen provides installation instructions with its kitchen faucets. To get a general overview of Moen’s single-lever kitchen faucets, let’s take a look at the attached pictures of the Model 7200 series kitchen faucets.
Let’s start with the picture that isolates the faucet’s setup from the under-counter accessories. If you look in the middle, you’ll see the support block. This is the basement where your kitchen faucet sits above the countertop. Anything above it is visible; anything below it is under the countertop.
Obviously, the spout, handlebar and spray head are located above the countertop. Underneath the nozzle, you’ll also see the shroud. These are the generic parts that most of us think of when we consider a faucet.
Now, move under the support block and look at the components hidden under the countertop. You’ll see the water supply line that connects to the water supply line, as well as the spray hose. A deck gasket organizes the hose.
You will see the diameter of the threads located in the plane of the fuselage under the support block. These are helpful for measuring the deck thickness. Also, below the deck surface, there is a washer and a lock nut.
These charts provide specific measurements and are important points of information that are critical to proper assembly. These measurements include.
- Distance from spout head to base. 130 mm
- Distance from spout base to spray base. 102 mm
- Distance from base to top of the handle. 171mm
- Maximum deck thickness: 19mm
Parts Inside The Faucet
Within the faucet itself, there are various small parts, each of which is vital to the proper function of the faucet. This diagram provides us with a breakdown of these parts. The diagram shows where each part is located in the assembly.
If you completely disassemble the faucet itself, you may find this diagram a useful tool to organize the parts in order of their location. Generally, you will need to partially or completely disassemble the faucet to replace the cartridge or O-ring.
Cartridge Diagram
The cartridge is an important part of Moen’s single-handle faucet. You’ll find it under the handle, hidden inside the faucet. Its role in the faucet is to regulate the flow of water. It seals the flow of water and prevents it from leaking out when the faucet is closed. If your faucet is leaking, the cartridge may be the culprit.
The cartridge assembly has two parts: the valve body and the spout body. The valve body is located above the spout body and acts as a seal. The cartridge stem is the main part of the cartridge as it is where the water originates from.
Other parts within the cartridge assembly include the spout seals as well as the clips and sleeve lugs.
How To Disassemble A Moen Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
If you haven’t already taken the faucet apart, use this guide. If you have already taken it apart, skip to the next section for detailed instructions on reassembling each component. As with any plumbing project, start by turning off the hot and cold water supply lines under the sink.
Some sinks do not have an isolated shut-off valve specifically for the sink. In this case, you must shut off the water supply to the entire house. Be sure to warn your family so there are no surprises (oops, someone is trapped in the shower).
Once you have shut off the water to the sink or the entire house, drain the water from both water supply lines. Release the pressure by opening the faucets to make sure the water is completely shut off and that there is no water in the pipes waiting to give you a temporary shower.
Here’s what you’ll need for this project
- A flat-head tool of your choice
- Philips screwdriver
- Moen spool unscrewing tool or Moen spool puller
- A pair of pliers
- Allen wrench
- Replacement parts (if necessary)
Cover the drain with a small towel to prevent any parts from leaking into the drain. Next, take a flat-bladed tool and carefully pry off the handle cover. Using a Philips screwdriver, remove the handle screws. Lift the handle up and remove it.
With the handle out of the way, remove the collar and swivel retainer. Next, unscrew the retainer nut and thrust washer and remove both. Using a screwdriver, pry out the cartridge clips.
Moen has a special cartridge twisting tool that you can use to complete the next step. Otherwise, you can use Moen’s cartridge extractor. Using the tool of choice, twist the cartridge housing back and forth to loosen it. Once it is loose and movable, use a pair of pliers to grip the cartridge and pull it up and out of the faucet body.
Now that the main part of the faucet is complete, you can complete any necessary repairs or replacements. To reassemble the faucet, go back through these steps or skip to the next section where we will explain in detail.
Reassembling the Moen Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
If you have already disassembled the faucet and are overwhelmed by the task of reassembly, we are here to help. So instead of carefully going back through the detailed disassembly process, we outlined above, we’ll review each step of putting the faucet back together.
Before you begin, make sure all the necessary parts are in easy reach. First, align the ears of the spool sleeve with the slots in the valve body from front to back. Then, with the stem facing up, insert it into the assembly, pressing firmly on the top of the stem sleeve ears.
Next, reinstall the cartridge clamp, along with the retainer nut and thrust washer. Replace the pivot retainer, taking care to orient the notch toward the back of the faucet. Put the collar back in place and hand tightens it until it is snug.
Hook the handle tab into the groove of the pivot retainer, making sure the stem groove is facing forward. Carefully align the handle fitting with the stem, then gently push the handle onto the stem.
Screw on the handle screw and press on the handle cover. Once the faucet is back in place, reinstall the faucet, secure it to the countertop, and reconnect the water supply line (if applicable). After everything is connected and in its proper place, turn on the water supply and check your handiwork.