Instructions to Change a Shower Cartridge (Single Handle Moen Brand).

This project originated from practical necessity: on one hand, the urgent task of fixing a leaking shower faucet, and on the other, the academic requirement of completing a Technical Writing assignment. As I am not the most "handy" of individuals, I undertook the task of researching the process; i.e., I viewed a large number of YouTube tutorials on the subject. The result is the following set of instructions to replace a shower cartridge.

Materials and Tools

1. Smooth Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers
2. Adjustable Wrench
3. Phillips Head Screwdriver
4. Flat Head Screwdriver
5. Needle Nose Pliers
6. Utility Knife
7. Pipe Brush
8. Plumber’s Grease
9. Plumber's Caulk
10. Compatible Shower Cartridge Replacement (Delta Or Aftermarket Brand)

Shut off Water Main to the building.

Use Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew the escutcheon plate and the shower handle.

Remove the shower handle, gently pulling forward, until released. Remove the escutcheon plate from the wall; use the utility knife to remove any caulking from the escutcheon plate.

Once the plate and handle have been removed, the housing of the shower cartridge will be exposed. A bolt holds the cartridge in place. Use the smooth jaw pliers and adjustable wrench, to apply opposing leverage to the housing (adjustable wrench) of the shower cartridge, and to the bolt (smooth jaw pliers), so as not to bend the copper pipes in the wall, unscrew the bolt holding the shower cartridge in place.

Once the bolt has been removed, use the smooth jaw pliers to gently toggle the shower cartridge to loosen it from the housing. Use the needle nose pliers to pry the cartridge from the housing being careful not to break the cartridge.

Once the cartridge has been removed, use the pipe brush to clean any debris from the now vacant shower cartridge housing to ensure no obstructions when fitting the new cartridge.

Apply a small amount of plumber’s grease to the inside of the housing. Slide the new cartridge in the housing making sure that the “H” on the side of the cartridge is aligned with that of the notch on the side of the housing.

Once the cartridge is firmly in the housing, turn the Main Water Supply on. Check for any leaks in the copper pipes behind the wall. Use the needle nose pliers to turn on the shower to check for leaks in the shower head. If no leaks are detected, turn off the shower and the Main Water supply.

Replace the escutcheon plate making sure to use the plumber’s caulk to caulk the edges. Use the Phillips screwdriver to secure the plate to the wall, and to secure the handle to the cartridge. Turn on the Main Water Supply.