View Full Version : Low flow from one side of Moen Kitchen Faucet
simplybrianp
May 7, 2008, 10:44 AM
I have seen similar questions on this board, but I have done additional troubleshooting that might provide more insight to others, and hopefully get an answer for myself.
I have a faucet that when I move the handle to the left, the water that comes out is very weak, but when moved to the right it is strong. In its normal configuration it gives no hot water , and tons of cold, when all the way to the left or right. I switched supply lines from hot to cold, to see if it was a faucet or plumbing issue. Turns out the problem still is only with the facucet handle to the left. Now in the switched configuration I get no cold (now switched), and all the way to the right tons of hot.
Thus it seems like something in the cartridge. I just had a plumber replace this cartridge a couple of months ago, but he is not answering my calls. Is there something in the cartridge that could be misinsalled or adjusted? Finally, the screw that holds on the handle is a tamper proof hex (an allen screw with a pin in the middle to prevent standard allen wrenches from working). This seems odd, as it is hard to find these wrenches so that I can remove the handle. Is this normal, or did my plumber do this to make it hard for me?
Any advice would be appreciated.
doug238
May 13, 2008, 08:46 PM
When he removed the cartridge, I piece of rubber tore off and lodged inside the faucet.
massplumber2008
May 14, 2008, 04:36 AM
Hey Brain:
Something is obviously clogging the hot water side of the faucet.
You need to remove that handle somehow (I don't know why a tamper resistant screw would be there... doesn't matter anyway at this point... needs to be removed).
Then want to shut water flow to faucet and remove the cartridge again. Once cartridge is out you will want to pulse the hot water line to clear of any sediment/debris that may have gotten up and into the faucet (cover faucet with rag when you do this).
Check out www.moen com (<<<---click on this) to find an exploded parts view of your faucet (if you know the model number.. or can try to find it at site by looking at kitchen faucets).
Then reassemble and see if that fixed it. If did, great.. if not, may need to replace that cartridge again.
Moen has lifetime warranty on parts! Call 1800BUYMOEN to order a new cartridge (they ship in 10 days NO CHARGE)...
Moen's website also has a tutorial or two that show you how to access the cartridge I am talking about.
I suspect that you have a water heater and sediment has begun to buildup and has now gotten stuck in your sink faucet (hot side issue! ). Let me know if you have a water heater, let me know how old, and let me know when was the last time you POWER FLUSHED the water heater to clear of sediment... hmmm..?
Investigate all I mentioned... let us know what you find... Good luck... MARK
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bbisauta
Oct 2, 2011, 07:11 PM
Just installed a new Moen single handle faucet with spray accessory. Utilized new hot and cold flex 3/8in to 1/2out hoses. Ramped up the water pressure and it came to life!! Wait... what happened? Total loss of water pressure after 5 seconds. What?
After about 4 hours of trouble shooting I unistalled the unit, Took it to my bathroom and ramped up the bath faucet on hot. The next step many may not want to try. Removed the water diffuser at the outlet end and ran hot water into it. Do the next steps in sequence.
1. While putting hot water in the "out" end of the faucet put your mouth on either the hot or cold inlet pipe.
2. If you have your mouth on the cold inlet open the faucet to the cold side and use a "suck and blow", kind of like when using a straw in a cup. Spit out any water you get in your mouth. You may get sediment or other nasty stuff on the "suck" (YES you need to be very vigorous no half assing it.)
3. Repeat same step with the hot inlet. This time switching the faucet handle to the "Hot" only side.
4. Repeat until you get a posative flow while "sucking and blowing"... If you are having issues getting a flow, (ie. Water coming out of the out or water coming back towards you on the in after a few minutes.) Be sure that you have the faucet handle open to the appropriate side you are blowing through!
I did this for about the better part of 5 minutes to ensure that I had done a complete job. I discovered that Rubber was lodged somewhere inside of the faucet, thus restricting water flow. If you are utilizing hoses that have a rubber gasket seal you may run into the same issue that I was having. Good luck for whom ever gives this fix a try. My Moen Adler is now functioning like a boss. And my lungs have never gotten a better work-out.
Pete_from_Mass
Nov 9, 2011, 08:56 PM
I had the same problem. Turned out there was a screen between the hose and the removable spout that was clogged with sediment. Washed it off and flow was better than ever.
massplumber2008
Nov 10, 2011, 06:04 AM
Hi Neighbor!
Hey, you didn't exactly have the same issue as simplybrian had as he only had an issue when he used the hot water flow of water to the faucet. The cold water flow remained fine and normal, so removing the screen as you did in your case will not be of a benefit here... ;)
Also note that the original issue occurred back in May, 2008 (date in upper left corner of post) so hopefully the issue is all resolved at this point.
Have a good day!
Mark
angusmactabush
Feb 21, 2013, 07:58 PM
I just installed a Boardwalk Moen faucet model 87659SRS and had weak flow on the hot side or turning it to the left. I read on another site that he had the same issue and he disconected the hot water supply line at valve and place end in a bucket and turn on faucet and used cold water to backflush the hot side. It worked there was a piece of rubber or something came out and then I cleaned the screen on the pull out and it had some junk in it after this(was clean before hand) So maybe give this a try
Frustrated Plumber wantabe
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Apr 22, 2013, 12:26 PM
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