All my showers have Moen posi-temp valves, and all except for my Masterbath are stuck due to lack of use. I had a plumber come over once while the house was still in warranty, and he replaced the cartridge in the guest shower, confirmed the valve was just stuck due to lack of use, and warned it had to be turned on once a month. Well, I forgot a couple months, and it's stuck again. So is my kids shower, as they use the bathtub in my master. Of course Moen claims it is dirt, just clean or replace the cartridge, but the web is full of posts from people with only cold water coming from their shower. Frankly, this is just a poor design, that has probably made Moen, plumbers, and HD lots of money. I've had it with Moen posi-temp.

So, my question to the gurus out there (especially speedball1) is what do I replace these shower units with? I want to do it once, and not have to touch the thing again. I had an older Moen without the posi-temp valve in my last house, and it never gave any problems. So, do I just buy a cheaper Moen model without Posi-temp? Are there really any good brands left out there? Maybe I'm just getting older, but I don't see what was wrong with simple, single valve, separate cold and hot handles.

No advice? Anyone?

Moen is a good product any product if you don't use is for a while will give a problem, Yes Moen recommends to clean the Posi-Temp shower valve cartridge, please open the attachment and it will show you how to clean the cartridge, Thanks.

Agree, Moen posi temps are great vavles, as are most all moen products. I personally have not seen any problems with non use of the posi temp, unless the water quality is poor. Are you on well water, or city water, and how would you describe the quality of your water. You are correct, the older style moen valve was quite simple and worked very well with almost all water. I wouldn't go changing the complete faucet yet, as most newer faucets have posi temp design, and will most likely have the same problem as your moen. afaroo gave you a great show of how to clean the cartridge, so give it a try and I hope it works for you.

PS. Tom, New2Plumbing is asking directly for you, so I hope you will jump on in and give your thoughts.

Positemps are awesome its normally the other crap that muffs them up just like the roads are 100% safe it's the idiots on the road... it's the minerals or in my case corroded solder that broke loose and caused it to develop a slight drip leak due to the solder laying over the oval gasket, pretty great to pull the cartridge out and a 1/4" piece of corroded solder flies out.

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Appreciate for sharing your experience with us, Thanks.

John

When plumbing codes made anti scald mandantory, manufacturers had to change their designs. Posi-temp was moens low-priced answer. The Moentrol models have separate pressure balancing spools in the valve body. The control cartridge is the old reliable 1225 cartridge you had in your older moens (pull-push for volume, left-right for temp). Unfortuanately, they cost more than twice the average positemp. On a positive note, Moen will send you replacement cartridges for your positemps for free under their lifetime warranty. Just call 1-800-BUY-MOEN and tell them how many cartridges you need. Replacement is rather simple if your so inclined

Another reason to periodically run the water is to keep water in the p-trap. Water is needed in the p-trap to keep sewer gases from entering your home. The water in the p-trap will evaporate over time.