How To Replace Moen Trim Kit Without Changing Your Valve

Do you want to upgrade your Moen shower valve trim without replacing your existing shower valve?

In this video, I'm going to show you exactly how to do that. We'll be replacing Moen's Standard Valve Trim with the "new" Moentrol Trim without even having to shut the water off to your house.

You can buy the components that I used in this video here on Amazon:

To clarify, the Moentrol is the most "recent" iteration of the Moen Standard Valve. Both valves use the 1225 cartridge which has that push/pull feature to open and close the valve. If you want to go the extra distance and replace your cartridge while replacing your trim, it's not a bad idea since you'll already have access to the valve...it's kind of like an oil change. Just make sure you shut off your water supply if you do this optional step!

While these valves are essentially the same, except the Moentrol has pressure balancing, the screw positions on the escutcheon plate are not.

What does that mean? You need to first install Moen's shower valve adapter kit! Without this kit you will NOT be able to fasten the shower plate to the valve. And I'm sorry for the let down, but this adapter kit CANNOT be used to convert a Moen Posi Temp trim kit to Moentrol trim kit.

In addition to the adapter kit, I'm using the Moen Kingsley Trim Kit which is specifically designed for the Moentrol Valve. The Kingsley style is not only Moen's most timeless look, but it's their least expensive. With all the parts constructed from metal, I figured this would be the most popular option for those of you watching. But don't let me completely persuade you, there are quite a few other styles of trim for the Moentrol valve that work just the same.

If you've never replaced a trim kit before, it's really quite easy. All you'll need, in addition to the parts above, are the following tools:

- Phillips Head Screw Driver (Power Drill will speed things up.)
- Utility Knife
- Pliers
- 7/64 Allen Wrench (Moen doesn't seem to include this but it's needed to remove the set screw in the temperature limiter during install.)
- Silicone Sealant (For an optional extra seal on the shower plate. Moen's plate already has a foam flange built in.)

Follow my steps and you should have your new Moen Trim Kit installed in under 30 minutes!

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[bluehannah]

Thank you so much!! I did this by myself (twice) and it saved me so much money and gives me so much pride when I look at the results. Anyone can follow this video and modernize their bathroom.

[jayrasa]

Dude you just saved me. Thank you so much for this.

[MatthewMorseCA]

Awesome - short, sweet and to-the-point video! Exactly what I needed to confirm the trim update I wanted to perform with my legacy Moen Chateau 1225 standard valve in my 1980's house! Appreciate the links to the adapter plate. I think anytime you're servicing an exposed valve during any renovation or update it's smart to remove and inspect the cartridge; I'll be replacing the 1225 cartridge for sure since I know it's over 25-yrs (if not longer) since anyone touched it. Thanks for filming the details of the install.

[rickmarino]

Great tutorial, except he got the hold & cold reversed. Cold always turns to the right (clockwise). Hot turns to the left (counterclockwise). The shorter end of the Kingsley knob should point towards the left for hot & towards the right for cold.

[KevinTMcGing]

Thanks for posting this video. I went to several "big box" stores near me with this question and no one knew how to transition from the old to the new Moen styles.

[MarkZart]

Thanks! Very helpful video after some frustrating non-help from the big boxes and Moen support. You just saved me a buncha bucks!

[mikea]

Thanks brother! Saved me, I was at a loss.

[Agentkailua]

Thank you so much! Your video was very helpful for when I had my shower retiled and the new handles didn't fit. I did the handle install myself thanks to your helpful video.

[eugeneboerger]

Where can I find a black trim kit that will fit the moentrol valve?

[elizabethwilliams]

great video...only wish is that you'd zoom in a little closer on the cartridge

[stephanik]

This video is gold. Just an fyi: I believe you can still get Chateau trim and knobs if you're just switching trim colors (eg. antique brass to chrome) and want to stay with the look.

[Wisconsineyes]

I just replaced my 1225 cartridge the other day and have been looking into updating my shower/ tub trim. This was a great help! Do i need to search for a special term in trims if my tub has a 1225? or will any handle/ trim work just need to pull to turn on water?

[cecilbernhard]

Thanks for the video, it enlighten me about the adapter, and the multiple valves Moen used over the years. Is there a way to get the handle to sit flush? It’s almost like my cartridge is too long, there is about an 1.5” gap when the valve is closed.

[paulswarbrick]

Thank you very helpful didn’t know about this part. Will help me on a particular job

[ericburns]

Very informative video. It seems that Moen is migrating to the positemp system whereas I have several bathrooms with the old push pull (chateau?) housing so this video was very useful. Along the way, I discovered that there are two different diameter stop tubes. Could you please explain the differences, and did the kit come with a stop tube or did you use the old one? Thanks

[richfrancisco]

Thanks for the video! Saves a ton going to posi temp cartridge system.

[stacimatthews]

How can I be sure I have a standard valve? I believe I do because You pull out to turn on and push in top turn off, is that what proves this? THANK YOU for helping us all!!

[javierkuan]

I have a Moen Genta LX trim kit with the Moen 2510 Balancing valve that use the 1222 cartridge and I noticed that just like this one after the installation the handle is too far away from the plate. It looks awful! Is this is normal on all Moen Trim kits??

[aubstowe]

Does every trim have a compatible valve I have to buy separately? I'm trying to choose new trim for my 1950's 3-handle bathtub faucet but I have no clue if i just buy the handles individually if it'll work... how do you determine if certain trim is compatible with the valves? Sorry for the loaded question lol...

[Mirahverl]

Very good video without getting sidetracked with filler and small talk like others, so thank you for that. I have already spent way more time than I should have, looking at everything I could find out about replacing my old trim with something more stylish and finally figured out what this video shows - ie. using the Moentrol Adaptor, and even had already decided on the Kingsley trim. I just wanted to watch the video to confirm. I do have one question - I saw a number of comments from reviewers on HD and can also see very clearly on your installation, that when completed, there is a fairly large "gap' between the handle and the trim plate. Is that really designed that way??