Recently bought a house. Hot water is going in the entire house, except the master shower. Removed faucet handle (Moen) to access cartridge. Cannot remove the retaining clip because of a plastic housing in the way, so I cannot remove and inspect the cartridge. Picture of what I see: http://i.imgur.com/8p8xtuY.jpg. Any ideas, or know why there is no hot water in the master shower?

I figure if I can access the cartridge, I might get somewhere. But I can't get past that stupid plastic housing.

I wanted to edit to add more information. Couldn't figure it out.

At any rate, house is built in 2004. Moen faucets throughout. It's a single knob, far right is off, turn to the left to get hotter.

I'm not a plumbing guy (more electrical), so please be detailed! I have heard of a 'mixing valve', but don't know what it would look like or how I would access that.

I also know sediment buildup might be an issue, and I should flush the pipes (possibly flush the hot pipes with the cold water). I've attempted to do this, but I don't think I succeeded in fixing anything. At least I haven't broken anything.

Hi and welcome to The Plumbing Page at ANHD.com. The first thing you have to do is remove the copper horseshoe clip. You can't go any farther until you do. Cut the plastic piece out if you can. Pull the cartridge and check and clean the inlet ports, Before you reassemble turn the water on for a few seconds to flush out the supplies. Reassemble and test. Good luck, Tom

Thanks for the idea. So you're saying that plastic piece I've shown is okay to be cut a little bit above the horseshoe clip?

I can slightly move the clip, but I can't fully remove it since that plastic housing blocks it. I have no problem trying to cut this, though, if it isn't a huge deal. At that point, pulling everything out and checking the inlets should be easy to do. I'll try that and report back tonight.

Thank you, Tom!

If you need a new cartridge contact Moen at. Call: 1-800-BUY-MOEN (1-800-289-6636)
8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 6:30 pm on Saturdays EST
Closed on Sundays and all nationally observed holidays.
To contact Moen Canada call: 905-829-3400
And they will send you one for free, Good luck, Tom

There is a Anti-Scald ring behind the handle. Either adjust it so you get more hot water - or toss it.

Milo

That plastic thing is the template for cutting the hole in the wall around the valve. The hole should have been cut around the template and the template removed. The valve should have been mounted so that the template would be flush with the exterior surface of the wall.

What kind of wall is that? Certainly not tile, must be fiberglass tub or shower surround. If so the wall must be bowed out about 1/2" in that area. Cut out template and discard.

Somebody cut the hole slightly off centered.