Moen Kitchen Faucet Is Leaking? – Try These Solutions

Small leaks in varying areas of faucets often seem like no big deal at first. However, using a Moen kitchen faucet that has been damaged over time, can make you pay for bigger repairs soon if you don’t do something about it right now.

Finding exactly where the Moen kitchen faucet is leaking can help decide what internal parts are causing it. I’ll get there in a little bit.

But first, let’s know exactly what causes Moen faucets to leak.

The major causes of a leaking Moen faucet are faulty cartridges and worn-out O-rings. There are other internal components, such as valve seats and gaskets, that can lead to leaks.

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Know Why the Moen Kitchen Faucet is Leaking and Troubleshoot Accordingly

O-rings and cartridge issues are most likely the cases when a Moen kitchen faucet starts to leak. However, some other components can malfunction and result in such a situation.

Let’s go through each issue with some ideas on the solution one by one.

It Could Be a Damaged O-Ring or Cartridge

Perhaps you’re wondering why my Moen kitchen faucet is leaking under the sink. Again, it can never be a definite reason, but my best guess would be worn-out O-rings.

Moen kitchen faucet that starts to leak under the sink often needs an O-ring replacement. This is especially the case with single-handle pull-out spray faucets. Worn-out O-rings mess up the entire system and cause a leak beneath the counter.

To Replace the O-ring –

However, are you still facing some leaks? Then the next component that could be guilty is the cartridge. While checking the O-ring, you should also consider giving the cartridge a look.

Or It Could Be a Damaged Cartridge

Can a cartridge for a Moen faucet cause a leak from a different area?

Absolutely! If there’s any leak around the faucet handle, a cartridge is more likely to be responsible. When you turn on the water, it will leak from the handle area.

Cartridge-related leaks are quite common, even with new models. This often happens due to improper installation.

However, sometimes you may have done absolutely right with the fitting, but yet there’s a leak around the handle.

Now, why does my new Moen cartridge still leaks even after getting the installation right? I know that’s what you’ll get frustrated with. But don’t, let’s give a few other things some thought and perhaps it will solve the situation.

Primarily, understand that the interior component called the cartridge plays the role of controlling the flow of water. And this part comes in different quantities based on the handle style of the faucet.

Also, Moen faucets come with a variety of cartridges that cannot be interchanged with each other. However, if you mistakenly receive the wrong cartridge for a model, then this can actually result in internal damage, leading to unexpected leaks.

So, make sure you use a suitable Moen faucet cartridge meant for that model. Now, if it’s an old kitchen faucet cartridge, you can simply replace it with a new one.

To Replace the Cartridge –

It’s also important to pay attention to proper maintenance habits. Specific silicone grease is used for the Moen faucet cartridge that helps the handle to move without problems.

Sometimes the lack of this silicone can cause wear to the cartridge leading to leaks.

So, it’s important to check and make sure the cartridge sides are well wiped with the Moen Silicone Grease. If you cannot find it, another great alternative is Evo Dyne Silicone Grease.

Also, as a part of regular upkeep, it is a good idea to change these tiny parts after a certain period of usage.

On that note, how long should a Moen faucet cartridge last?

This will vary based on how frequently you and your family use the kitchen sink and also the intensity of the workload the fixture goes through. Generally, it should be able to last somewhere between 20 to 30 years with normal usage.

Leaks Around the Faucet Base Can Root from Multiple Issues

As soon as I figured out my Moen kitchen faucet is leaking at the base, the damage to the O-rings was what came to my mind right after. But you see, this is not necessary. Multiple other things can cause such situations for varying Moen kitchen faucets.

Before going there, I just want to let you know that sometimes the handle leak puddles of water onto the plate on the base. This is the case of a handle area leak, not near the base.

So, make sure about the area of the leak just to make things easier.

Back to the main matter, how do you fix a leak at the base of a Moen kitchen faucet?Here’re the solutions summed down according to the Moen faucet types –

If you are trying to find out how to fix a leaky Moen kitchen faucet single handle that comes with a side spray, change the diverter along with the O-rings.

For a Moen kitchen faucet with a single handle but no side spray, just replace the O-rings.

To fix a two-handle kitchen faucet, only replacing the O-rings will be enough.

A faucet with a pull-out wand may have a troubling connection between the spray wand and the pull-out hose that needs to be fixed. You may also need to consider replacing Moen faucet spray hose.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it! Go ahead, find out the area where the Moen kitchen faucet is leaking from, guess the possible culprit based on it, and take the steps. Leaks can lead to other issues as well. For example, experiencing sudden low water pressure in Moen faucets.

Also, these minor replacements are often easy to do oneself. However, if you need assistance, then calling a professional won’t be much costly either.

So do whatever fits your bill, and I hope you get rid of that leak as soon as you can!