Moen 1222 vs 1225 Cartridge: Which One Do You Need?
The Moen 1222 is the Posi-Temp shower cartridge; the 1225 is for pull-to-turn-on valves and older single-handle faucets. How to tell which one you have.
By Askento Editorial Team · 4 min read · Oct 14, 2026
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The short answer: the Moen 1222 is the cartridge for Moen's Posi-Temp shower valve, and the 1225 is the cartridge for Moen's pull-to-turn-on shower valves and older single-handle bathroom faucets. They are made for different valves and the handles work differently. The way your handle moves usually tells you which one you have.
Everything below comes from Moen's own cartridge guides, linked in the sources.
1222 vs 1225 at a Glance
| Moen 1222 | Moen 1225 | |
|---|---|---|
| Valve Moen lists it for | Posi-Temp single-handle shower | Standard single-handle and Moentrol shower valves; single-handle bathroom faucets made before 2009 |
| How the shower handle works | Rotate only | Push or pull for on, off and volume; rotate for temperature |
| Volume control | No (Moen calls it a cycling valve) | Yes |
| Pressure balanced | Yes | Moentrol versions yes; standard version not listed as pressure balanced |
| Held in by | Retainer clip through the valve body | U-shaped copper clip (bathroom faucet versions) |
How to Tell Which One You Have
Turn the shower on and watch the handle:
- It only rotates, and there is no separate way to turn the flow up or down. That matches the Posi-Temp valve, which takes the 1222.
- You pull it out to start the water, then turn it left or right to set the temperature. That matches the valves Moen lists for the 1225.
For a bathroom sink with a single handle, Moen lists the 1225 for faucets made before 2009, in two variations: one for handles that turn a full 360 degrees and one for top-mount handles that turn 180 degrees. Newer faucets may use a different cartridge, so check before you buy.
If you still aren't sure, take the old cartridge out first and match it in person. Buying the wrong one only costs you a return, but it means a second shutoff.
Replacing a 1222 Cartridge
Moen's own instructions assume the handle and trim are already off. In outline:
- Turn off the water to the shower and cover the drain so small parts can't fall in.
- Pull the retainer clip up and out of the valve body with needle-nose pliers. If you can't reach it, remove the escutcheon plate screws and the plate first. Don't drop the clip behind the wall.
- Loosen the cartridge by rotating it a little more than a quarter turn with Moen's plastic twisting tool, then pull it out by the stem with pliers. It can take some force. Moen recommends cleaning and flushing the valve body before fitting the new one.
- Fit the new cartridge. Lubricate the oval rubber grommets on each side, then slide it in with the H and C tab pointing up, without rotating it, until the tab is flush with the valve body. The grommets aren't attached and can fall off.
- Refit the retainer clip. The water can't be turned back on until it's in. If it won't slide in, the cartridge isn't fully seated.
- Check the stem orientation. The notched side faces away from the "H&C" marking, or hot and cold come out reversed.
Moen's tool list is large pliers or channel locks, needle-nose pliers and a Phillips screwdriver.
Replacing a 1225 Cartridge
The 1225 is held in by a U-shaped clip, and Moen publishes separate instructions for its shower and bathroom-faucet versions. Follow the guide for your fixture from the Moen bathroom cartridge page or the Moen shower cartridge page.
Related
- How to fix a leaky faucet: diagnosing which part is worn before you buy anything
- Best faucet repair kits: kits and brand-specific cartridges, including the Moen 1225
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between a Moen 1222 and 1225 cartridge?
- They go in different valves and work differently. Moen lists the 1222 for its Posi-Temp single-handle shower valve: the handle only rotates, there is no volume control, and the valve is pressure balanced. Moen lists the 1225 for its standard single-handle and Moentrol shower valves, where you push or pull the handle to turn the water on and set the volume, and rotate it to set the temperature.
- How do I know if I have a 1222 or a 1225?
- Watch what the shower handle does. If you turn it on by rotating it and it has no separate volume control, Moen's guide matches that to the Posi-Temp valve and the 1222. If you pull the handle out to turn the water on, then rotate it for temperature, that matches the valves Moen lists for the 1225.
- Is the Moen 1222 a pressure-balancing cartridge?
- Yes. Moen describes the Posi-Temp 1222 as pressure balanced, which means it holds the water temperature steady when pressure changes elsewhere in the house. Moen also lists the Moentrol versions of the 1225 valve as pressure balanced, but not the standard single-handle 1225 valve.
- Is the 1225 only for showers?
- No. Moen also lists the 1225 for single-handle bathroom faucets made before 2009, in two variations: one for faucets whose handle turns 360 degrees and one for top-mount handles that turn 180 degrees. It is held in by a U-shaped copper clip and was introduced in 1981.
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