Help Please - Leaking Bathroom Faucet

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UPDATE: Woo hoo! I finally got it apart, well most of the way anyway. Those caps were just decorative. I just removed the set screw and kept moving the stem up and down until it came off (there are actually 2 set screws on each handle). The leak is a little worse now. When I shut off the water, it drips, drips, drips constantly.

I just don't know what to do next. I know unscrew the top screw but what happens after that I have no idea. I hope this is a cartridge where I can just remove it and get the part. I hope it's not where I'd have to replace o-rings or springs because I would really be lost. I"ve been watching the video that Nealnw posted. Now I know to use a razor blade to get rid of the schmootz (love that word).

Here's a pic (sorry, looks like it's upside down. It was right side up on my computer):

FaucetHandle3.jpg
 
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Mazel tov! (goes with schmootz). Now where exactly is it leaking from? The spout? the base of the faucet? Underneath the sink? Be as specific as possible.
 
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I only use Moen single handle faucets so I am not familiar with the type you are working on. However, I would start by removing the large nut just below the stem. Once you do that take a picture and post it, or look for some type of hardware that is holding the cartridge inside the body of the faucet. With Moens, the retainer is a U shaped piece that slips through a slot in the valve body. Once you remove that retainer the cartridge can be pulled out. Sometimes you need a puller tool, but most times channel lock pliers will do the trick. If you can find the name of the company that made the faucet, call them, since many faucets come with lifetime warrantys. Often they will send you the cartridges and associated parts for free, rather than paying $30 or so at a big box or supply house.

Obviously, all of this should be done with the water off below the sink.
 
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Yep, most likely Moen will send you a replacement cartridge for free.
 
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Hi guys,

Thanks so much for the replies. I appreciate them more than you can know. Sorry for the delay but we got hit with 10" of snow over the weekend so my project got delayed. I still can't figure out what brand this faucet is, but here's a pic of it taken apart. The leak is from the spout only, on the hot side, although I am going to buy replacement parts for the cold side while I'm at it in case I need them in the future.

I've been watching videos and reading articles but I'm still not sure how to remove the cartridge. Do I unscrew the screw that is on the top? Do I remove that retaining clip? I'm lost as to what I should be doing next (and confused why my pictures keep coming out sideways).

FaucetHandle4.jpg
 
I believe the screw on top is only there if you needed to replace the various handle configurations. As Neal recommended, pull the clip and unscrew the chrome piece. Then either match up and replace the entire stem or purchase the parts to make it "whole" again. Since it may help others down the road, please take a pic of the stem for us once you remove it.
 
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havasu said:
I believe the screw on top is only there if you needed to replace the various handle configurations. As Neal recommended, pull the clip and unscrew the chrome piece. Then either match up and replace the entire stem or purchase the parts to make it "whole" again. Since it may help others down the road, please take a pic of the stem for us once you remove it.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will definitely take a pic once I get it removed. I think the less parts I have to deal with, so much the better, so hopefully I can just get a replacement stem. I know when I fixed my leaky shower, it was just a big cartridge piece that I replaced. That one was a lot easier because it was a Delta and they had a video on their website that showed exactly what to do. Plus, they sent the part for free. I can't find any indication of the brand of this faucet. There are some numbers on the aerator, but I think it may just be for the aerator itself.
 
nealtw said:
look for a name on the spot some times in the front sometimes on the back
Click to expand...

I know it had some numbers and then 2.5 gpm or something like that. I'm going to check again when I get home from work. Thanks!
 
Finally got the cartridge out. Unfortunately I couldn't get the water to shut off completely, so water is coming up out of the brass base part. Can't wait to get home from work and see the mess. Hopefully not that much more water will leak out. I left rags all around it.

Here's some pics of the cartridge, and the leaky base. Do you guys think I'll be able to find this part at a Home Depot, or would I have to go to a plumbing supply store?

Thanks for hanging in there with me on this fun project.

Cartridge1.jpg

Cartridge2.jpg

Cartridge3.jpg

cartridge4.jpg
 
nealtw said:
HD should have them, hot and cold are different.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Neal. I went on HD's site and looked at about 120 cartridges and didn't find a good enough match (although they probably have some that are in the store and not online). So there's a plumbing supply about 20 minutes from work that I'm gonna go to and leave work early as they close at 5. The guy on the phone there seemed really knowledgeable and I think I'd feel better than relying on HD not having the correct part and also answering my questions.

My concern is the bubbling up of the water in the part that I pulled the cartridge out of. However, before I left for work, I turned off the cold water too. Evidently because I have a widespread faucet and it makes a T underneath, the cold water, if not shut off, can come up through the hot water side where I took the cartridge out (at least that's what the plumbing supply guy said). So hopefully I won't have a mess when I get home.

We're due for another snow storm tonight so that's why I'm anxious to get the part today. Wish me luck! and thanks again for all your help too!
 
Update: So I went to the plumbing supply and got both the hot and cold side ceramic cartridges. Came home to a lake on the counter. Turned off the whole house water shutoff and proceeded to install the new hot side cartridge.

I'm embarrassed to say the darn thing is still leaking, although not nearly as bad, and at least the handle is now in the right position. Does anyone have an idea why replacing the cartridge wouldn't stop the leak completely? I'm wondering if, because it's a widespread faucet and has that T thing underneath the sink, if the cold side is bad too, even though it doesn't seem to be leaking.

I also found this and wonder if I should try it: "Moen also recommended cleaning out the inside of the valve with an old toothbrush or bottle brush and then flushing thoroughly before installing the new cartridge."

I know when I pulled out the old cartridge on the hot side, it was in very bad shape.

Wish I would have hired a plumber :(
 
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m4p said:
Update: So I went to the plumbing supply and got both the hot and cold side ceramic cartridges. Came home to a lake on the counter. Turned off the whole house water shutoff and proceeded to install the new hot side cartridge.

I'm embarrassed to say the darn thing is still leaking, although not nearly as bad, and at least the handle is now in the right position. Does anyone have an idea why replacing the cartridge wouldn't stop the leak completely? I'm wondering if, because it's a widespread faucet and has that T thing underneath the sink, if the cold side is bad too, even though it doesn't seem to be leaking.

I also found this and wonder if I should try it: "Moen also recommended cleaning out the inside of the valve with an old toothbrush or bottle brush and then flushing thoroughly before installing the new cartridge."

I know when I pulled out the old cartridge on the hot side, it was in very bad shape.

Wish I would have hired a plumber :(
Click to expand...

Did you remove the old washer. It only takes a little chunk of junk in the ceramic to hold it open.
 
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nealtw said:
Did you remove the old washer. It only takes a little chunk of junk in the ceramic to hold it open.
Click to expand...

I did remove it. However, it came out in pieces, and even after removing it, it still had a white ring where the white washer was. That would be awesome if that's all it is. I think I will take it apart and use an old toothbrush to scrub the area. Wonder if something like CLR would be good to use? Thanks, Neal!
 
m4p said:
I did remove it. However, it came out in pieces, and even after removing it, it still had a white ring where the white washer was. That would be awesome if that's all it is. I think I will take it apart and use an old toothbrush to scrub the area. Wonder if something like CLR would be good to use? Thanks, Neal!
Click to expand...

Instect the new valve and make sure there is nothing in it block it.
Once you have cleaned out the unit. put a cup or glass over it and a rag over that and give it a little shot of water to blow any crude out.
 
If, like you mentioned, a washer came out in pieces it must be replaced. Also, if I'm reading this correctly the water is leaking from around the base of the cartridge. If the cartridge was bad, the water would be dripping from the spout when it should be off.

I'm curious how much the two cartridges cost, plus whatever you still need to repair this faucet vs. the cost of a new faucet. I know the installation of a new faucet is pretty straightforward and relatively easy.
 
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