DIALCET: WHAT IS MOEN DIALCET, INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL

Do you know what Dialcet is? Many people don’t know. This generation especially doesn’t know what it is if it is not in their home. Maybe you have seen them somewhere but didn’t  know that they were Dialcets. But wait? What is Dialcet?

Dialcet is a term used by the Moen company for its tub and shower faucets line which were once so popular that they made history. As part of a shower and bathroom, they are single handle faucets that control both the water flow and temperature.

Let’s discuss in detail what this dialcet actually is, where they came from, and where you can still see them.

Moen

When it comes to modern plumbing, no one can ignore the big innovations made by the this company. The biggest example is Moen Dialcet which a single handle faucet which was first introduced by the company Moen in 1937.

This invention revolutionized the plumbing industry and continues playing its part in modern plumbing. Some of its contributions include Single-handle faucets, Pull-down and pull-out spray faucets, Motion-sensor faucets, and Smart faucets.

Moen company has a big role in modern plumbing and they make it more efficient, convenient, and accessible for people of all abilities. That’s why they are one of the leading companies in the modern plumbing industry.

Features

Moen Dialcet is a line of faucets by Moen company that are single handle products and are easy to use, install, maintain, and durable. Let’s see some features of old Dialcet faucets.

• Spout with built-in aerator: this allows mixture of air with water and form a soft and even spray.
• Pull-out spray head: this feature helps in pulling out the faucet body and reaching every sink area where needed.
• Side spray: they come with separate spray heads which you can see on the die of faucet.
• Button-operated spray head: they also offer button-operated spray head which means you can press the toggle to change mode from spray to steam and back
• Lever handles: This feature helps people turn on the faucet with a light touch of your finger.

Alternatives

As everyone knows new Moen Dialcet faucets are no longer available. The company has introduced 2 new lines of faucets which contain similar designs but with advanced features. The first one is Moen Arbor line of faucets. They are similar in design to dialcet, like pull-out spray head and single lever handle. But as they came with new features so check them below.

• MotionSense technology: turn your faucet on and off with the help of waving your hand.
• PowerBoost technology: it offers powerful stream of water
• Reflex system: spray head smoothly retracts after use.
• Temperature memory: faucets have last temperature setting history, so no more temp fluctuations or manual setting issues every time.

Another faucet line is Moen Align line of faucets. Although sleek and modern in design, they have same features like Arbor faucets. Only one unique thing is the Spot Resist finish which doesn’t allow the formation of water spots or fingerprints on the faucet finish.

So, if you want an alternative to dialcet faucet, you can choose one from the above mentioned faucet lines.

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How To Install A Moen Dialcet

As we already discussed that Moen Dialcet is no longer in manufacturing by the company they are still available and used and salvage stores. So, if you already have one, or you get it from market, it’s essential to know how to properly install your Dialcet.

For proper installation of the  Moen Dialcet faucet, you need some tools if you are DIYing. The required tools are

• Moen Dialcet faucet
• Plumber’s wrench
• Adjustable wrench
• Utility knife
• Screwdriver
• Flashlight (optional)

In addition, you need some other materials for right installation of the Dialcet faucet like Silicone sealant and Teflon tape.

Instructions To Install Moen Dialcet

• Your first step should be to turn off the water supply to your older faucet. You can turn off the water supply by shutting the valve off that is under the sink. It may be behind the shower or bathtub.
• To remove the old faucet, you need a plumber’s wrench that loosens the nuts that secures the faucet to the mounting plate.
• In the case of corroded faucets, you will need a utility knife to make a cut through the silicon sealant. The silicon sealant is there to hold the faucet in place.
• Now it is time to clean the mounting surface. You can clean it by removing any old silicon sealant or other debris from the mounting surface.
• Then you have to create a watertight seal, for that and to prevent leaks, use a bead of silicon sealant around the mounting surface.
• Install the new faucet on the mounting surface and tighten nuts with your hand to secure it in place.
• Tighten the nuts until the faucet is snug with the plumber’s wrench, but remember not to over tighten it.
• Reconnect the water supply lines to the new faucet carefully and correctly. Use the Teflon tape on the thread of the water supply to prevent major leaks.
• If you want to check leaks, you have to turn off the water supply. If you see any leaks, tighten the connection to stop leakage.
• Your next step is to install the handle of faucet and escutcheon plate.
• You will test it by turning the faucet on and see if your moen Dialcet works properly.
• If your bathtub faucet is not properly giving hot water you have to check it properly by professionals.

Additional information:

• Don’t over tighten the nut because it can cause damage to the faucet or mounting surface.
• Ensure to use a silicone sealant around the mounting surface to provide a watertight sealant. It also prevents leaks if you are installing the faucet in the bathtub or shower.

How To Remove A Moen Dialcet

When it comes to removing a Moen dialcet you need a little care. It doesn’t mean that the process is difficult but you want to make sure that your tub and shower faucets are not damaged, keep them in good shape. Remember to save them in storage if you no longer use them in your bathroom.

To remove the Moen Dialcet faucet safely, you have to make the following tools available:

• Adjustable wrench
• Screwdriver
• Flashlight (optional)

Instructions To Remove

• First you have to turn off the water supply by turning off the shower valve. In order to stop the water supply to faucet, you can turn off the valve under the sink. It can be behind the shower or bathtub. Remember to turn off the valve counterclockwise or to the left to shut it off.
• Then you have to find and remove the handle, escutcheon plate, and screw. The screw is there to secure the handle and you can remove it with screwdriver. On the other hand, the Escutcheon plate is a decorative plate that surrounds the handle. You can remove it by hand or if you want then use a screwdriver to remove the plate.
• Locate and pull out the retaining nut that is located behind the handle and open it with pliers. This one is helpful in securing the handle cartridge to the valve body.
• Use pliers or an adjustable wrench to loosen the retaining clip. At this point be sure and be careful not to over tighten the nut. Otherwise, it can damage the cartridge or the valve body.
• The cartridge is difficult to remove so remove it carefully from the valve body.
• To check the cartridge shake it up and down. If you hear the sound of a ball shaken in the can then it is perfect. If there is no sound then it needs to be cleaned.
• After replacing the old one with the new one or cleaning, reset the Moen Dialcet.

Note: If your Moen Dialcet doesn’t give hot water then maybe it’s due to water heater. There is no rule that Moen Dialcet is always at fault, if your water heater isn’t in good condition or damaged, replace it with one like Point Of Use Water Heater.

Safety guidelines:

There are some safety guidelines that you should follow before work and these are as follows:

• Turn off the water supply to the faucet before starting any type of work.
• Over tightening of the retaining nut can cause damage so be careful not to over tighten the retaining clip.
• If you are not sure about removing the cartridge by yourself, then the best way to do it is to hire a plumber.

Additional tips:

1. The cartridge is difficult to remove in most of the cases, therefore you can use a cartridge removal tool.
2. Save the valve body while removing the cartridge.
3. To make reinstalling easy and accurate, apply a silicon grease’s thin coat to the O-ring on the cartridge. It makes the process smooth and damage free.

Conclusion

Moen Dialcet is basically a shower and bathtub faucet line by the company Moen, which originally invented them. However it isn’t available now as the company has stopped making these faucets in the previous century.

Still many houses have these old faucets in their bathrooms and they are working fine. For these remaining faucets the company makes the repairing parts available in used or salvage stores.

So, if you have one and want to install or remove it for any reason, we hope that our guide has helped you with this. But remember, if you have a Dialcet, keep it safe as they were once so popular and now are rare. So, you might consider them historic and classic.

For any repairs, installations, builds, or questions; We recommend you to hire a professional. Find A Pro Near You Here!