How To Deal With Moen Shower Handle Stuck [7 Easy Steps]

After years of use, a Moen shower handle or knob can get stuck or idle. And most of the time, it is considered to be a sign that the shower handle needs to be replaced. 

So, how to deal with moen shower handle stuck?

Your Moen shower handle can get stuck due to:

• Sediment or debris like mineral buildup
• The broken shaft inside the handle (stiff cartridge)
• Damaged seal within the cartridge 
• Using petroleum-based lubricants 

Moreover, if the cartridge is stiff or the seal gets damaged you need to replace the cartridge entirely.

But don’t lose hope, you can easily resolve moen shower handle stuck issues with our guide. So, without any further ado, let’s jump into the discussion. 

Moen Shower Handle Stuck [7 Easy Steps]

Based on our experience and the guideline from Moen, there shouldn’t be an issue of having a stuck handle or handle valve when it’s newly installed unless you’ve broken anything inside of the handle. Refer to the below table.

Note: You can also read why Moen Shower faucet won’t turn on.

Reasons	Solutions
Heavy Mineral Deposit	> Clean the mineral buildup with vinegar, baking soda, pumice stone, or mineral buildup cleaning spray.
Corrosion in the shower handle	> Remove the corrosion using vinegar, baking soda, or a rust-removing spray
Damaged seal or faulty cartridge	> Replace the cartridge accordingly
> Remove the corrosion using vinegar, baking soda, or a rust removing spray	Using petroleum-based lubricants

So there are the main reasons behind the main shower handle being stuck. Now, let’s discuss the reasons in detail.

1. Heavy Mineral Deposit

Deposits often accumulate between the components of a handle, filling the small gaps that allow for flexible movement of the parts. As a result, the handle may become stuck and difficult to move no matter how much you try, and it may even end up getting broken.

How To Clean:

There are several ways to remove calcium buildup on the shower/faucet. You can follow one of the methods given below:

• Vinegar: Soak a cloth or paper towel in white vinegar and wrap it around the affected area. Leave it on for a few hours, then scrub the area with a toothbrush. Rinse the area afterward.
• Vinegar and baking soda paste: Combine vinegar and baking soda to make a paste, then use it to scrub the calcium deposits.
• Pumice stone: For stubborn calcium buildup, wet a pumice stone and rub it over the affected area in a circular motion. Rinse off the area afterward to remove any residue.
• Lemon or citrus: Lemon is a natural agent that breaks down calcium. Scrub a lemon wedge on the faucet to remove the buildup.
• Commercial mineral deposit remover: You can one of the calcium deposit remover sprays available on the market.

Tips To Prevent Mineral Deposits In Plumbing Systems:

To prevent mineral deposits in your plumbing system, here are some tips:

• Install a water softener to reduce the number of minerals in your water.
• Use a sediment filter to remove particles from your water.
• Replace metal pipes with PEX (plastic) pipes, which are more resistant to mineral buildup.
• Use vinegar and baking soda to dissolve calcium buildup in drains and pipes.
• Have your plumbing professionally cleaned regularly to maintain optimal performance.

2. Corroison In the Shower Handle

Exposure to moisture and mineral buildup are common causes of corrosion in metal surfaces in Moen shower handles. Water and moisture can corrode metal over time, especially if the metal is not adequately sealed or coated to protect against moisture. 

Meanwhile, mineral buildup from hard water can accumulate on the metal surface and cause pitting and other types of corrosion. Another possible trouble mineral buildups can make is rust and corrosion. The handle or handle valve can become rusty from the inside because of the buildups. 

The deposition of layers on metal parts can undergo various oxidation reactions that can result in the formation of rust. In the worst-case scenario, rust can cause small areas of the handle to corrode and break into metal particles. These particle fragments can obstruct the movement of the handle, making it difficult to use.

How To Fix:

You can clean the rust the same way we discussed earlier in the mineral deposit section. Here are the steps you need to follow to remove corroison:

• Spray a little vinegar or a delimer solution on the corroded areas of the handle and let it sit for a few minutes. This will help to loosen the corrosion and make it easier to remove.
• Use an old toothbrush or a soft cloth to gently scrub the corroded areas, removing the loosened corrosion.
• If the corrosion is stubborn, create a paste by mixing equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar. Apply the paste onto the corroded areas and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Then, use a soft cloth to scrub the shower handle and remove the corrosion. Finally, rinse the shower handle with warm water to remove any residue from the cleaning solution.

Tips To Prevent Rust In Plumbing Systems:

To prevent rust in your shower handle, follow these steps:

• Replace any rust-prone screws with stainless steel ones
• Wipe down the shower handle, faucets, and other metal fixtures after each use to remove moisture
• Use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to clean and protect metal fixtures from rust
• Apply an anti-rust spray to the shower handle and other metal fixtures
• Ensure proper ventilation in your bathroom to reduce humidity and moisture buildup

3. Faulty Cartridge & Broken Seal

A faulty cartridge and broken seal can cause a Moen shower handle to become stuck. When the cartridge is too stiff, it can make it difficult to turn the water on or adjust the temperature, indicating that the cartridge needs replacement.

Internal link to the content where cartridge replacement is discussed.

But before the replacement, you need to remove the stuck cartridge. Let’s see how you can do that in a detailed step-by-step guide.

4. Using Petrolium-based Lubricants

According to Moen Officials, rubber seals within the cartridge can be damaged by petroleum-based lubricants, making it harder to operate the handle. So Moen recommends using silicon-based grease in the cartridge. So, whenever you change the cartridge with a new one ensure using silicon-based grease.

How To Remove A Moen Shower Handle That’s Stuck

Well, you can loosen a shower handle or valve that’s tighter than usual. But it’s both nearly impossible and costly to fix a handle that’s completely stuck.

The amount you need to spend on fixing such handles is nearly the average price of OEM  handles and equipment. So let’s see how to take off a stuck Moen shower handle in a few simple steps. 

Tools You Need:

• 7/64 Allen Wrench
• Philip head Screwdriver or Drill
• One Hammer
• Other Required OEM Parts
• Faucet grease

Step 1:

There’s a small hole beneath the handle puller. You’d find a small screw inside that hole.

Use a thin Allen key or any other electric screwdriver or driller to pull off the bolt from the handle. 

Step 2:

Next up, use your full force and try to pull the handle towards your body. Sometimes, the shower handle won’t come off after removing the screws.

Take a small hammer and slowly hit over the head of the handlebar while pulling it off. The hammering would create a vibration that can loosen the handle a bit. 

Step 3:

After putting off the bar, it’s time to bring out the nickel cover and plate around the valve.

They can be attached by some bolts that you can pull out using any screwdriver. 

Step 4:

When the shower valve is naked, twist the cartridge to uninstall it from the main system. Then, keep the parts on a table. 

Step 5:

Check which parts are affected by clogging or deposits. If you see not the whole handle mechanism contains mineral buildup, change only the affected parts with the new OEM ones. 

Step 6:

If you need to change the whole handle or knobs, buy a set that contains everything. Don’t buy anything separately, that would cost more than expected. 

Step 7:

Finally, you’ve to play reverse. Install each component step by step. Install the cartridge first. But remember to lube the cartridge before putting it inside the main structure. Then, cover the cartridge with the nickel sleeve and plate. Screw them properly, don’t over-tighten anything.

Finally, install the handlebar slowly and put the screw carefully because it’s very thin. Congratulations you’re done with the process.

Precautions:

• Make sure you’ve closed the main supply valve before starting to work. Or, you can also empty the whole line before work. 
• Don’t buy a brand-new handle set right after you see the shower handle won’t turn all the way. Dismantle all the parts and see if only changing screws or O-rings would do the job or not. If so, change only those and save nearly a hundred bucks. 
• There’s always a pin keeping the cartridge steady, remember to put the pin back after installing a new cartridge.
• We always guide you to avoid using Vaseline or petroleum as a lube. Petroleum can damage rubber elements badly. Only use the best faucet lubes on the market. 
• If you see the handle is working just the opposite of your command, or the shower is pouring hot water instead of cold, it means you’ve inserted the cartridge in the wrong way. Switch the cartridge 180 degrees and install it again to solve the matter. 

FAQs:

Concluding Words

It is not uncommon to encounter a Moen shower handle stuck issue after years of use. It is one of the common issues people face with Moen showers.

If you follow the steps outlined in today’s article, you should find the issues to be quite easy to fix. Additionally, it is important to address any hard water issues present in your home’s water line, as failure to do so may result in recurring plumbing problems. 

If you encounter any difficulties or uncertainties during the process, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.