Why is My Moen Motionsense Touchless Faucet Dripping?

Moen’s MotionSense touchless technology is a fancy addition to nearly any kitchen. Out with the manual labor necessary to turn on a faucet and in with flapping hands and magic water flow. The technology in the faucet allows it to regulate water flow via motion, powered by a battery. But, like most other technological devices, it’s bound to have hiccups here and there.

If your Moen MotionSense touchless faucet is leaking from its spout, there are a few potential culprits. And if you’re scratching your head, wondering what could possibly cause the technology to go on strike and allow water to sneak through the tap even when you’re not waving at it, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to learn more!

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What Causes A Faucet To Drip?

An array of culprits may be causing your faucet to leak water, ranging from issues with the O ring to problems with the washer. Here are a few of the common causes:

• O ring issues: The O ring in a faucet is essential for proper function. It’s a small disc found attached to the stem screw, which holds the faucet handle in place. A loose or worn-out O ring can cause a leaky faucet.
• Corrosion on valve seat: When the leak originates from the spout or seems to, the problem could be an issue with the valve seat. The valve seat connects the faucet and the spout, and when water-sediment builds up, it can corrode the valve seat, thus causing the faucet to leak.
• Problems with the washer: Tired washers can also cause your kitchen faucet to drip. The washer rests against the valve seat, and friction between the two may cause the washer to wear out over time. If the washer is improperly sized or installed incorrectly, this could also cause leaking.
• Loose parts: In some cases, if the sink handle is leaking, the problem may be as simple as loose parts. Tightening the packing nut may help correct the leak.

How To Fix A Leaky Faucet

The proper fix for your Moen MotionSense touchless faucet is dependent on where it’s leaking. So, try to figure out where the water leak is coming from. Is it leaking from the spout? Or perhaps a slow leak from the handle?

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Once you determine that, you can approach the repair with the proper materials.

Troubleshooting A Dripping Handle

If the handle is leaking, the nut within the faucet handle might be loose. In this case, the repair is quick and easy. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Allen wrench
• Crescent wrench

Start by removing the handle. Locate the hex screw near the base of the handle, then remove the screw by turning counterclockwise with the Allen wrench. Once you pull the handle, a rounded base will be underneath the handle covering the holding nut.

Depending on the faucet model, you may be able to simply pull the circular base out of the faucet body. However, others require you to twist it to remove it. Once that’s out of the way, locate the large plastic holding nut. If it’s loose, there’s a good chance it was causing the leak.

Tighten it using your hands or a crescent wrench. Careful not to overtighten it, as you don’t want to strip the threads. After you tighten it, check your repair by turning on the water and watching for leaks. If the fix worked, go ahead and reinstall the handle.

Replacing The Cartridge

A defective faucet cartridge may also cause a leak. You may notice that you have to position the handle just right, or it’ll drip water, which can indicate a faulty cartridge. Luckily, Moen offers a lifetime warranty on its faucet cartridges, so the fix should be pretty cheap. Additionally, the faucet’s design is straightforward, so you don’t need a cartridge puller to remove the cartridge.

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Here’s what you’ll need:

• Crescent wrench
• Allen wrench
• Replacement cartridge

Before starting your project, you need to shut off the water. There might be a water shut-off valve underneath the sink, but if there’s not, you’ll have to restrict water flow to the entire house by shutting off the main water supply valve.

Once you shut off the water supply, drain the water from the water lines by running the faucet for a few seconds. Then, once the water lines are clear, you can proceed with your project. Follow the exact directions for removing the handle we outlined above using the Allen wrench.

After the handle is out of the way, use the crescent wrench to remove the holding nut. With the holding nut set aside, pull the cartridge right out of the faucet. Insert the replacement, then replace the nut. Reinstall the handle, then turn the water supply on. Check your handiwork.

Refer To The Owner’s Manual

Moen’s owner’s manual has a troubleshooting section. Refer to said manual for additional assistance if the above repairs didn’t do the trick. If you still can’t figure it out, reach out to a professional plumber or Moen customer support.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens