If you come to wash your hands, is the “Moen bathroom faucet handle hard to turn?” Well, that seems an embracing and problematic case that needs troubleshooting because if the same issue happens with your guest? Oh, too much embracement! To avoid such circumstances, always ensure the working of faucets over time, along with maintenance and greasing them.
Now that the issues occurred, what seems to be the possible cause? Any ideas? Don’t try to mess up by self-employed methods that could cost you high later.
To know what causes the issues with the best possible handy fixes, we, the faucet experts, have devised query-solving methods to ease our reviewers‘ problems and make them self-handle such conditions.
Moen Bathroom Faucet Handle Hard to Turn-Quick Solution
Moen bathroom faucet handle hard to turn? The reason can be an old faucet, a worn out or damaged cartridge seal, a build-up of hard minerals or debris, hardened O rings, and low on grease. To fix the issues, try using lubricants, but most favorably, avoid petroleum lubricants.
Other fixings can be using vinegar solution to dissolve the minerals build up or replacing the faucet cartridge that causes worn-out valves or other issues leading to hard turn of the handle.
If the faucet seems hard with multiple problems, try replacing the whole line with a new one. Call Moen services for consultation or any query!
Moen- The Ultimate Brand for Faucets and Fixtures
The best quality faucet and fixture, Moen, comes at the top list. The company is an American-based plumbing industry Incorporated that provides the best, high-quality products like faucets and fixtures for kitchens, bathrooms, and related items.
You would find the headquarters of Moen in Ohio, and the United States, founded in 1956 by Alfred M. Moen; that’s where the name Moen incorporated was given to the plumbing company.
They not only ease users’ life but maintain the quality of products for a lifetime limited warranty, making them long-lasting.
Despite the high-quality product over, time usage and no proper maintenance cause the product some issues, and among them, one problem is the hard-to-turn faucet handle. Multiple reasons could exist, which we will be discussing, so stay tuned till the end.
Why Moen Bathroom Faucet Handle Hard to Turn- Reasons
Trying to turn the faucet, but it doesn’t seem very easy. Oh, not again! There might be some issues with the tap; let’s see what can be the possible reasons.
- Old faucet
- Worn-out or damaged faucet cartridge seal
- The build-up of hard minerals or debris
- Hardened O rings
- Low on grease
Fixing The Moen Bathroom Faucet Hard to Turn handle- 03 easy fixes!
Removing The Mineral Build Up
One common reason the handle gets stiff is debris or mineral build-up because over time, using the faucets, the water minerals get intact and cause a build-up making the handle hard to remove. So let’s fix the issue.
Procedure
- The handle contains the build-up, so try to remove the hold before that to ensure your water supply gets turned off.
- We have previously discussed that depending upon your Moen faucet type; the handle gets removed in multiple ways, so opt for the one compatible with the faucet.
- The one we are fixing seems to get rotated from the bottom, so wind in an anticlockwise direction to remove it. Once removed, keep the handle aside.
- Take a medium-sized bowl so the handle can get fit in it.
- Add vinegar in the required amount so that the handle remains dipped.
- After adding the vinegar, take the handle and place it in the vinegar solution.
- Leave the handle in solution for a day till all the mineral build-up gets dissolved. After the desired time, take out the faucet.
- Rinse the handle using clean water and properly dry using a cloth.
- The vinegar dissolves mineral build causing the handle to turn o quickly.
- During that, take good lubricant and lubricate the faucet valve. Let me explain that the faucet valve will lie at the base, so ensure proper lubrication.
- Now take the handle you previously removed from the vinegar solution and fix the handle by rotating it clockwise.
- Once re-installed, test by turning on the water supply and turning the handle.
- If the faucet turns quickly, you have fixed the issue. Good jo!
Grease The Cartridge Part
If the faucet handles are hard to turn because of low grease, try using oil other than petroleum-based because some users reviewed that using plumbing grease or other petroleum-based cause the faucet to be more hardened than before. Please take out the cartridge, grease it and add it back to ensure the ease turn on the tap.
Replace Moen Faucet Cartridge
What if the faucet seems old and worn out, leading to poor turnover? In that case, replacing the worn-out part or the old one is suitable. Over time, most cartridges and seals get worn out and require replacement. But how to replace it? If you are not good at plumbing tasks, consult a plumber. To skip the plumber call and cost, replace the faucet with your own, so follow the method!
Procedure
Moen faucets come in many models with different cartridges, so ensure where the problem lies and then purchase the part or the entire model accordingly.
- Ensure you turn off the water supply connected to the faucet.
- Once done now, try to turn the handle.
- If still hard, use something substantial to make it turn.
- Once turned on, try to remove the outer part.
- Some rotate from the base, while others over the handle top or sides.
- For the top, remove the small cap, then go for unscrewing. For the side screw directly, use a hex wrench.
- Go for the one compatible with your Moen faucet to unscrew or unwind the handle part.
- Use a wrench that quickly loosens the bonnet nut because it connects the cartridge to the valve.
- Carefully remove the cartridge. Sometimes it can get hard to remove, so use a wrench.
- Replace the old cartridge with a new one and secure the handle back to its place.
- Now check the faucet to see if it’s working fine! You get the task done.
Tip
If the product has a remaining warranty, call the Moen service to get new parts for the faucets.
Conclusion
Moen bathroom faucet hard-to-turn handles won’t be an issue afterward, following the fixes discussed above. A regular Moen faucet may last up to 15 years and extend to 20 years, so on durability, no question, but for many reasons, the fault can develop, so maintain the faucet and replace the faulty parts if required.
Despite that, most experts favor using WD-40 to loosen the hard faucet, so if available would cost around 2$ and make you get rid of issues. Always try fixing from simple to complex to avoid mishaps, as harming the faucet can lead to replacement costs. So, did your Moen faucet get loosened? Which fix worked for your faucet? Do share!
