The Moen Shower valve is a critical part of your shower; if it’s not working, it can be a major inconvenience.
Here are a few things to check if your Moen shower valve is not working. Common issues include a loss of water pressure, a complete loss of water, or leaks.
Moen Shower Valve Not Working
If your Moen shower valve is not working, here’s how you can troubleshoot the issue.
- Ensure Water Supply
First, check to ensure your shower’s water supply is on. This may seem like an obvious step, but it’s often the culprit when a shower valve isn’t working.
If the water supply is on and you’re still not getting any water from your shower valve, consider checking the water pressure.
- Check Water Pressure
If you have low water pressure, that could be the reason your Moen shower valve isn’t working properly.
You can use a water pressure gauge or contact your local water provider to check your water pressure.
If the pressure is low, there is a chance that your Moen shower valve is not used to work with low water pressure, and you may need to replace it.
- Position the Diverter
If the water is on and you’re not getting any water flow, the diverter may be in the wrong position.
The diverter is the small lever on the shower valve that controls whether the water flows to the showerhead or the tub spout.
Make sure that the diverter is turned to the “shower” position.
- Check for Obstructions
If the diverter is in the correct position and you’re still not getting any water flow, look for an obstruction.
Remove the shower handle (the part you turn to control the water flow) and use a small mirror to look inside the valve.
If you see anything blocking the opening, use a small wire brush or another tool to remove it.
- Replace the Valve Cartridge
If you’re still having trouble with your Moen shower valve, the next step is to inspect the cartridge. The cartridge controls the flow of water through the shower valve.
The problem may be with the valve cartridge if there is no obstruction, and the diverter is in the correct position.
The valve cartridge is the part of the shower valve that controls the water flow.
Over time, it can become clogged with mineral deposits, reducing water flow. You’ll need to replace the valve cartridge to fix this problem.
To replace the valve cartridge:
- Turn off the water supplyÂ
- Remove the shower handle (the part you turn to control the water flow).
- Use a wrench to remove the retaining nut that holds the valve cartridge in place.
- Pull out the old valve cartridge and insert a new one.
- Reattach the retaining nut and reattach the shower handle.
- Hot Water Turned Off:
If the problem is that only cold water is coming out of your shower valve, the first thing to check is whether the hot water in your home is turned off.
If the hot water is off, that could be why only cold water is coming out of your shower valve.
To check whether the hot water is off, look for a knob near your water heater. The knob should be turned to the “on” position.
If not, turn it on and wait a few minutes for the hot water to start flowing through the pipes.
- Thermostat Set Too Low
If the problem is that only cold water is coming out of your shower valve, another possibility is that the thermostat on your water heater is set too low.
The thermostat controls the temperature of the water in the tank. If it’s too low, the water in the tank may not be hot enough to flow through the shower valve.
To check the thermostat, look for a knob near your water heater. The knob should be turned to the “on” position.
If not, turn it on and wait a few minutes for the hot water to start flowing through the pipes.
- Water Heater Not Working
If the problem is that only cold water is coming out of your shower valve, another possibility is that your water heater isn’t working.
This could be because the pilot light is out, the power is off, or there is a problem with the gas line.
If the pilot light is out, consider relighting it. To do this:
- Find the knob near the bottom of the water heater.
- Turn it “off” and wait a few minutes.
- Turn it back to the “on” position. You should see a small flame appear in the window at the top of the water heater.
You’ll need to turn the power back on if it is off. To do this, find the breaker box and flip the switch for the water heater.
In case of a faulty gas line, you’ll need to call a plumber to fix it.
To Prevent This Issue
You can prevent this issue by regularly checking the diverter and the valve cartridge. If you notice any mineral deposits, clean them off with a small wire brush or another tool.
You should also check the thermostat on your water heater and ensure it’s turned to the “on” position.
Check the pilot light to make sure it’s lit. Lastly, make sure the power is turned on to your water heater.
Regularly checking these things can prevent your shower valve from becoming clogged and ensure that hot water always flows through it.
Concluding Thoughts
You can check a few things if you’re having trouble with your shower valve:
- Make sure the water is turned on in your home.
- Check the diverter and the valve cartridge for mineral deposits. If there are any deposits, clean them off. You should also check the thermostat on your water heater and ensure it’s turned to the “on” position.
- Make sure the power is turned on to your water heater.
Regularly checking these things can prevent your shower valve from becoming clogged and ensure that hot water always flows through it.