Does Moen have a lifetime faucet warranty?

The original buyer, and only for a set period. Moen warrants to the original consumer purchaser "for as long as the original consumer purchaser owns their home." That's the warranty period for homeowners. Everyone else gets a much shorter one. Moen says all other purchasers, including those buying for industrial, commercial and business use, are covered for 5 years from the original date of purchase.

Two other limits matter:

• It follows the original buyer. The text names the original consumer purchaser and runs only while that person owns their home. It says nothing about a new owner, so don't count on a home buyer inheriting it.
• It only applies to faucets bought after December 1995. The warranty is effective from the purchase date shown on your receipt.

If you rent out a property or manage a building, treat the 5-year term as the number that applies to you.

Moen warrants that the faucet will be leak-free and drip-free during normal use, and that all parts and finishes will be free from defects in material and manufacturing workmanship. Those are the promises in writing.

If a covered faucet develops a leak or drip, Moen says it will provide, free of charge, the parts needed to put the faucet back in good working condition. It will also replace, free of charge, any part or finish that proves defective under normal installation, use and service. Moen calls the warranty "extensive" because it covers all defective parts and finishes.

Notice the wording. The written promise is free parts and free replacement of defective parts and finishes. It doesn't promise a brand new faucet in every case. If the cartridge in a single-handle faucet is the part that's dripping, that's exactly the kind of part the warranty is written to replace. Our page on how to identify a Moen faucet cartridge will help you name the right one before you call.

Finishes get their own promise on some lines. Moen's brochure says its LifeShine finishes are guaranteed not to tarnish, corrode or flake off for life, and lists the finishes that carry it: Polished Brass, Classic Stainless, Stainless Steel, Satine, Nickel, Brushed Nickel and Brushed Bronze. That brochure is older, so check your own faucet's paperwork for its finish.

Moen's exclusions are plain, and a few catch people out.

1. 1Installation errors, abuse and misuse. Moen excludes damage from installation error, product abuse or product misuse, and says that applies "whether performed by a contractor, service company or yourself." A pro's mistake doesn't get you covered.
2. 2The wrong cleaner. Cleaners containing abrasives, alcohol or other organic solvents are excluded. Mild soap and water is the safe choice.
3. 3Non-genuine parts. Defects or damage caused by using anything other than genuine Moen parts aren't covered.
4. 4Labor and damage. Moen says it won't be responsible for labor charges or for damage incurred in installation, repair or replacement. It also excludes indirect, incidental or consequential damages and losses, which would include water damage from a leak. Some states don't allow those exclusions, so the terms may apply differently where you live.

The labor point is the big one. You may get the part free and still owe someone to install it. Our page on how to fix a dripping faucet shows what that swap involves if you'd like to do it yourself.

### What about your state's implied warranties?

Moen's text says the written warranty is "in lieu of" other warranties, expressed or implied, "except as provided by law." It adds that some states, provinces and nations don't allow certain exclusions, and that the warranty gives you specific legal rights alongside any others that vary by location. The FTC explains the background: laws in every state create implied warranties, unspoken promises such as the warranty of merchantability, which means a product will do what it's supposed to do. The FTC says implied warranties might cover problems a written warranty doesn't, and they apply unless the seller gives written notice that there's no warranty or sells the item "as is" where state law allows that. Whether that helps with a particular faucet is a legal question, not a plumbing one. Your state consumer protection office is the place to ask.

It depends on the item, and Moen keeps a separate list. Moen's warranty guide says:

• Soap dispensers and showerheads that came in the same box or shower set as the faucet are covered by the Lifetime Limited Warranty.
• Soap dispensers and showerheads sold on their own depend on the date. Moen lists a one-year limited warranty before 2008 and a lifetime limited warranty after 2008.
• Sinks, digital products (ioDIGITAL, U by Moen, MotionSense), garbage disposals and accessories each have their own warranty page on Moen's site.

So don't assume a sink or disposal follows the faucet rules. Check the product's own terms.

Moen's warranty sheet gives the steps.

1. 1Have your proof of purchase. The original sales receipt from the original consumer purchaser must accompany every claim. Photograph it now and save it with your warranty. The FTC offers the same advice: keep the receipt with the warranty, because it proves the purchase date and that you're the original owner.
2. 2Call or write. Replacement parts can be requested by phone at 1-800-289-6636, or by writing to Moen's consumer services in North Olmsted, Ohio.
3. 3Describe the defect. Moen asks you to explain the problem and include your name, address and phone number.
4. 4Register the faucet. Moen's warranty sheet says to register your products at moen.com/product-registration to guarantee warranty.

The FTC also points out that if a warranty doesn't list a repair or part as covered, you should assume it isn't. That's worth remembering when you read Moen's list.

### What should you have in hand when you call?

Moen's sheet asks for a description of the defect and your contact details, and the receipt has to accompany the claim. It helps to have three more things ready before the call, all drawn from how Moen identifies products: the model number or collection name, a clear photo of the faucet and, if you've already taken the handle off, a photo of the cartridge and its nut. Moen's own parts finder uses a model number, an invoice, the installation sheet or the original box to pinpoint the right part. A shower valve behind a wall is a different animal from a sink faucet, so tell Moen which one you have.

### Should you use the warranty or call a plumber?

Use both, in that order. Order the covered part through Moen so it's genuine and free, then decide who installs it. If you're comfortable shutting off the water and swapping a cartridge, you can do it yourself. If the valve is inside a wall, the parts are stuck with scale or you'd rather not risk an installation error that Moen excludes, HQ Plumbing & Air can handle it. We're licensed and insured, we give free estimates and the price is upfront before work starts. If water has already reached the wall, see leaking shower valve behind the wall.