Moen 1225 cartridge

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What it fits (per Moen)

• Showers: all one-handle non-pressure-balanced ("Standard") tub/shower valves, and Moentrol valves. Moentrol valves are pressure-balanced and also have volume control.
• Vertical spa: the lower temperature/flow handle on Moentrol valves with an integrated transfer valve (3320, 3330, 3350).
• Kitchen: Moen one-handle kitchen faucets launched before 2009. The exact cutoff date varies by model, according to Moen.
• Bathroom sink: Moen one-handle lavatory faucets launched before 2011 (Moen 101). Moen's Solutions article is titled "prior to 2009", and its library lists the 1255 for single-handle bathroom faucets after 2009. Moen's two documents disagree on the date, so check your faucet's paperwork or ask Moen.

How to recognize it

• The handle pulls out and pushes in (volume) and rotates (temperature).
• Moen 101 describes a non-metallic polysulfone shell with stainless steel, brass and copper parts. It rotates 180° from hot to cold.
• It has two plastic tabs at the top that sit in slots at 12 and 6 o'clock on the brass valve body. A U-shaped copper-colored clip holds it in.
• Moen introduced it in 1981, and Moen 101 says it "retrofits" the older brass 1200.

Related part numbers

• 92451: service kit to rebuild an existing 1225 (grommets, O-rings, twisting tool, grease). No new cartridge is included.
• 104421: Moen cartridge puller for 1200, 1222 and 1225. Moen 104421 on moen.com

Removal on a shower, in short

1. With the handle off, pull the stop tube forward and slide the "D" washer off the stem.
2. Lift the tab of the U-shaped copper clip and pull it out. If you can't reach it, remove the escutcheon.
3. Use the plastic twisting tool that comes with a new 1225 to turn the cartridge a quarter turn (90°) either way to break it loose.
4. Pull the stem out until it stops, grip it with pliers and pull the cartridge out. If the stem comes out and the shell stays, see stuck cartridge.
5. Clean and flush the valve body. Install the new cartridge with its tabs centered on the 12 and 6 o'clock slots and refit the clip. Never force the clip, and don't turn the water on without it.

Hot and cold reversed? On the 1225, Moen's fix is to rotate the stem 180°. In showers, the small notch on the stem should face down. In kitchen and bathroom faucets, it should face forward.