Moen faucet problem.. any plumbers in here?

[DavidS]

Our new house has a whirlpool tub in the master bath. The faucet is a Moen "Kingsley" T910. We are the first owners so it has never been used. It has separate hot and cold handles. For some reason, the hot is only putting out lukewarm water. I turned the water heater up and the other faucets in the house put out scalding water.

The Moen website doesn't have any good info and I'm striking out on Google. Some info about this type of problem, but none with this type of faucet and I can even figure out how to get the handles off to examine the valves.

[mikebw]

How is the water pressure when you only open the hot valve? Check if there are shutoff valves for each hot and cold pipe going into the faucet. The hot may be partially closed.

[DavidS]

mikebw wrote:
How is the water pressure when you only open the hot valve? Check if there are shutoff valves for each hot and cold pipe going into the faucet. The hot may be partially closed.

The water pressure is fine. Unfortunately, the tub surround is finished with very nice travertine tile, so I cannot get to the individual shutoff valves.

[JoeH]

Or the plumber who ran the pipes did not flush out all debris before installing the valve and part of the hot water flow is blocked. Also, in some locations hot water going to a bathroom fixture is required to go through a temperature mixing valve to limit the high temperature and prevent scalding. Look for one on the line from the water heater to the bathroom, and if one is there adjust it.

[Carm]

What joeH said about debris and valve.

[C(-)ris]

DavidS wrote:

Unfortunately, the tub surround is finished with very nice travertine tile, so I cannot get to the individual shutoff valves.

That probably isn't a great/safe situation. Might want to figure out where to put access in.

[Kraniac]

Very doubtful re the debris...the water would eventually get hot with the cold turned off.

It sounds like a temp control valve in the mixer phase for sure.

They need to be calibrated, essentially, when they are installed..usually involving a plastic ring with a stop on it and checking temps with a thermometer...then placing the stop ring in the proper position to limit hot flow in proportion to cold.

If you can't get to the cutoff valves then what's the point of having cutoffs? If they're there then you should be able to reach them...they might not be under that tile..

good luck..

[vicrock]

Code requires access. It may be in a place you don't expect - ours for the Master Bath is in a guest room one floor down!

[Black]

vicrock wrote:
Code requires access. It may be in a place you don't expect - ours for the Master Bath is in a guest room one floor down!

Or on the other side of the wall, behind an oven or other kitchen fixture.

[M>B>]

Look on the wall behind the fixture, might be an access panel in a closet type area?

If not, install one!