I'm having a problem with my shower temperature fluctuating between scalding hot and cold, and I'm trying to replace the shower cartridge. My condo was built in the 1970s, so I suspect it's the original setup. I have two questions: first, which Moen cartridge should I use for the replacement? And second, how can I safely remove the old cartridge without damaging the very old pipes?
6 Answers
Honestly, if your plumbing setup doesn’t have unions, getting that old valve out can be a nightmare without cutting through pipes. Be prepared for a real struggle!
I dealt with some really old valve stems, and I took photos of everything to show a plumbing supply store. The staff were super knowledgeable and helped me identify the right parts. Just a tip: a bit of heat can help loosen it, though it might take some serious torque to get it out! Honestly, if you're not feeling up to it, hiring a plumber might save you a lot of hassle.
You can contact Moen directly—they back their products with a lifetime warranty, so they might send you a new cartridge for free! It’s worth a shot.
First, try to figure out what model cartridge you have. There are tools specifically for pulling cartridges—grab one of those if you can. It makes the job much easier!
It took me two days and I broke a couple pullers trying to get mine out—what a pain! YouTube videos were super helpful for tips. Once I got the cartridge out, I found a replacement at a big box store, so it might still be doable! Good luck, and hope your family’s okay with a water outage for a bit!
Any hardware store that sells Moen should have the cartridges. I took my old one to a store and they just gave me a new one—no paperwork at all! Also, try using Vice Grips on the cartridge and tap it with a hammer. I swear this technique works wonders!
Thanks for the heads up! I guess I’m in for a tough time.