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About Sharon McCarthy
Expertise
I can help with most questions about residential plumbing problems including septic systems, and some questions about irrigation. I have no experience with commercial installations or codes.

Experience
I have been a sole-proprietor service plumber in two small towns north of Phoenix Arizona for 26 years.

Publications
I had a monthly column in the United Steelworkers of America, local 1033, newsletter 1978 to 1982. I wrote an article for "The Theosophist" in 1977. I've written dozens of letters to the editor in many newspapers.

Education/Credentials
High school and three years of college. My step-father, having worked 40 years in the plumbing trade in Chicago, taught me for two years. The rest has been hands-on experience.

Past/Present Clients
Many hundreds of good people in Cave Creek and Carefree Arizona

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Plumbing in the Home > Moen Extensa lever drop

Plumbing in the Home - Moen Extensa lever drop

Expert: Sharon McCarthy - 10/31/2009

Question
I recently replaced the cartridge (1225) on my 8 year old Moen Extensa kitchen faucet. The lever had become very stiff and eventually a leak developed at the top end under the lever. Replacing the cartridge has made the action of the lever very smooth but I still have a few drips run down the supply lines (the fittings are tight to the faucet lines) after the lever has been turned off. There is no leaking at all when the lever is open and water is flowing. Once the lever is turned off a few (maybe 5-10) drops make it down the lines.

Also, the lever will not remain up unless it is wide open. Anything less than full results in the lever dropping and shutting off the water supply.

I explained this to Moen today and they are sending out a vacuum breaker hub kit and handle hardware kit as well as a second cartridge (I bought the first one at the hardware store because the leak had become pretty severe and I didn't want to wait two weeks for delivery).

In your opinion will these parts and the proper installation of them solve the two problems noted above?

Thanks in advance!

Answer
Dear Keith,

  Moen. Used to be the best. Now it's probably the most troublesome brand on the market. I've installed hundreds of pull-out-spout faucets in the last 15 years [when they were first sold] and I've repaired dozens of them. Of those dozens, 95% were Moen or Grohe.

  3 chronic problems with the Moen, the spouts tend to crack, the hoses tend to leak, and the handle mounting bracket under the lever handle has some plastic parts that easily break off. I'm not sure this is your problem. The dripping...this will often happen with any pull-out type fixture if the spout is not screwed on tight.

  I'd say at least 20 times I've been called because of a leak under a kitchen sink and discovered the water was running down the flex hose connected to the spout because the spout was loose. Before you do any more, pull out the spout and make sure it's tight where it connects to the hose. If it is, hold it out and run the water. See if there might be water dripping at that connection. You may need to replace the washer inside the end of the spout. Also check the spout for a crack.

  As far as the handle falling down, I'm sure you noticed that the Moen cartridge stem pulls straight out and pushes straight in. For this to operate with a lever handle there is a mounting unit under the handle that the handle fits on. It has a rectangular shaped stem, and the handle fits over it and tightens down with a set screw.

  That unit fits over the cartridge stem. When you lift the handle up, the mounting bracket basically pries up the cartridge stem, almost like a hinge works. Since I can't see your faucet and study the operation of the handle, first check and make sure you tightened everything down under the handle. Something may be loose and this is causing the handle to drop. Also, look at that hinge unit and see if some little part or tab is broken off.

  This might be hard to find. If you can find a picture of the part online, compare the picture with that part under the handle. If Moen is sending a handle hardware kit, this part may be included. I've had to replace that hinge mount a number of times.

I always try to repair a faucet if the faucet is in good condition. I've come across many Moens that have a cracked spout and a leaking hose, and I always suggest a new faucet, NOT a Moen. A Moen spout costs about $40, the hose about $30. It would take me less time to put a new faucet in that hunt down the right parts and install them.

  Maybe the repair parts they send you will take care of the problem. I hope so!! Sharon

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