Your kitchen will not look elegant with a troublesome faucet, especially one with a loose handle. Our kitchen faucets are frequently used to wash vegetables and wash dishes. Therefore, issues with them are possible.
With repeated usage, the faucet handle begins to spin and drips water that appears to be highly irritating. It’s very bothersome to call plumbers at home for every single problem.
Sometimes an issue appears incredibly difficult, yet it may have an easy answer. The handle of the faucet might occasionally become loose, affecting how you usually clean it. You might be able to fix the loose handle on kitchen faucet on your own.
The loose faucet handle is annoying, but if you ignore it and don’t identify the source of the issue, it starts to damage the pipes. In severe cases, you’ll need to spend a lot of money replacing the entire faucet. So why not use essential tools to fix this straightforward but annoying issue?
Also Read: How much water does a dripping faucet waste
10 ways to tight a loose handle on kitchen faucet
So here are ten basic recommendations that might help you fix a loose kitchen faucet handle.
1: Gather required material
Before starting any faucet-related repair task, you must have the right tools to do the procedure effectively. To tighten the loose handle on the kitchen faucet, you will need an Allen or hex wrench, rubber seals, an old toothbrush, a screwdriver, an o-ring, and heatproof silicone plumber grease.
2: Get ready to repair
So any kind of defect can be in your faucet. Prepare yourself for any kind of repair. Apart from the necessary tools, you need to tighten the faucet handle. It’s also essential to set your working place. You also need to set up your workspace, in this case, the area around the sink. Remove anything from the countertop, including soap dispensers, scotch, rubber, or other cleaning items that can get in the way of your repair.
To stop anything from falling into the sink drain, it is also recommended to cover the sink. Aside from the countertop, look down at the sink’s base and remove anything that might bump you from under the sink. This tip is a precaution tip that is necessary for your safety.
3: Turn off the water supply line
Never forget the first step of tightening the faucet handle. The foremost step is shutting off the water supply line. Typical water supply lines contain a handle and valve. Turning the valve in a clockwise direction will turn off the water supply line, and you can do your repair task easily. Use your flashlight to turn off the water valve, which is often under the sink. There should be two valves to turn off if you have hot and cold water; otherwise, there should only be one. Verify that the water valve is completely closed.
4: Check the faucet handle
You now need to find the screw. Most of the time, the screw is visible when you lift the handle or spout. Get the screwdriver that will fit into it ready. Moreover, check the aerator. It may not filter very well if the aerator is broken. Next, go over the handle to see any holes or fractures.
5: Removing handle screws or cap
People are always confused about how to remove the loose handle of faucets. Typically, screws from the sides are used to secure the handle to the faucet cartridge. A plastic cap conceals the connection. Using an Allen wrench or screwdriver, carefully remove the plastic cover and screws from the handle.
6: Check the faucet lever
You require new components if the cap, the ball, or the lever has any regions of cracking. You cannot fix that in any manner. Perhaps the cap is only loose if there are no cracks.
When the handle is taken off, the ceramic disc cartridge is seen. Remove the cartridge with pliers and look for any leaks. Instead of mending the cartridge, it is preferable to replace it.
7: Use plumbing tape or replace the handle
Tape the cap with the plumber’s tape. Some people suggest cutting or removing the old tape from the cap if there are any loosened pieces. Then securely wrap the tape in several layers, maybe three to five times. To secure the faucet, this tape will serve as a seal.
8: Assemble the things carefully and turn on the valve
As a result of mineral deposits, the rubber seals beneath the cartridge begin to leak. Remove them with care, then scrub them with a toothbrush. A new pair of rubber seals is always preferable if they are damaged.
Replace the faucet body’s O-ring if it is damaged, or temporarily lubricate it with silicone. Don’t forget to tighten the screws when you put them back together.
Put the lever and cap back in their original positions. By hand, slide the handle back, then use your smooth wrench to tighten it.
With your screwdriver, tighten the handle once more in a clockwise direction. Make sure it is finished snugly. Next, feel the handle to see if there are any loose feelings. The water valves under the sink should now be turned on, and your faucet should function correctly.
9: Do the necessary precaution
A loose kitchen faucet is frequently only the result of a loose screw or handle. Turn the screwdriver or wrench clockwise to tighten the screw or handle. The location of the faucet’s mounting and other circumstances might potentially contribute to its loosening. Additionally, fixing the faucet won’t help. It’s possible that a water leak caused the wood where the faucet is placed to deteriorate over time. Consequently, it is necessary to replace this material rather than the faucet.
10: Take professional assistance
If your faucet handle is still not tight and does not function properly, you need to seek professional assistance. Perhaps you should call a professional plumber when things become out of control. We advise you not to take much more risk in repairing the faucet at home. It’s better to spend some money on plumbing services to get professional help on time.
What are the causes of loose faucet handles:
Listening to squeaky noises from a loose faucet handle is very annoying. Overuse may cause the handles and base to lose, but other factors must be considered.
- Loose screws: Over time, the screws holding the faucet pipes to the sink base may unwind and become loose.
- The base of the faucet is loose: The handles are fastened in the middle of the base. It can cause the faucet base to become loose from overuse. Leaks are more likely to occur as a result.
- Problematic O-rings: The O-rings that keep the faucet handles in place are wearing out. O-rings may become loose due to the frequent usage of the handles.
How to tighten the Moen kitchen faucet handle
Also, calling plumbers whenever a small issue around the house may be annoying. Brief instructions on how to tighten a kitchen faucet are provided here. The next time your faucet wobbles, we hope you’ll be able to fix it on your own.
Disconnect the water supply and cover the drain
The valve and handle are often located directly beneath the sink, or within the cabinet it is built into if you are working on the sink. To turn off the water supply, turn the handle counterclockwise and snugly. The main water supply to your home should typically be shut off if you’re cleaning a bathtub. Additionally, we advise covering your drain because failing to do so might result in screws and other objects being permanently lost.
Cover the drain after cutting off the water flow
If you are working on the sink, the valve and handle are frequently found beneath the sink or inside the cabinet, it is built into. Switch the handle tightly counterclockwise to turn off the water supply. When cleaning a bathtub, you should generally turn off the main water supply to your house. Furthermore, we recommend covering your drain because neglecting to do so might result in screws and other things being lost forever.
Disable the locking nut
On the majority of types, taking the faucet apart reveals a locking nut that holds the cartridge in place; this nut may be taken out using just a pipe wrench. The top of the cartridge has a tiny brass screw, which you should remove and put aside because not all replacement cartridges will come with a new one.
Replace or take out the faucet cartridge
The old cartridge may be removed easily after removing the locking nut; however, resistance is not unusual. Simply grab a pair of pliers. A trip to the hardware shop is necessary if you don’t already have the replacement; bring the old cartridge along for comparison so you can make an informed choice.
Replace and go backward
Replace the cartridge when you get home (no new screw? Thank goodness you retained the older ones. Once that is done, repeat the removal procedures in reverse order until your faucet is operational. All there is to it is that. Simple, right? Now, tighten the set screw if the handle starts to feel flimsy if you want to avoid having to repair faucet handles in the future. With the water running for years, this should delay the stripping process.
FAQs:
- Why did my faucet handle become loose after some use?
The considerable nut becomes loose over time because the sink pivots on its center. This separates and slightly wobbles the faucet as a whole.
- How can I keep the knobs on my faucets tight?
If tightening doesn’t help, the handle’s stem may be worn, especially if it’s plastic. Put Teflon pipe thread tape securely around the stem before sliding the handle back over it. A single wrap often produces a tight fit.
- What are the most used faucet handle types?
There are three different faucet handles styles: lever, blade, and cross. The kind of handle that can be attached to a faucet depends partly on the faucet’s design. Typically, you can get either a single or double handle in the market.
Bottom lines:
If you have learned how to tighten a loose faucet handle, nothing will be loose in your faucet anymore. But the task of tightening the faucet handle is very simple.
Additionally, the experience itself will be gratifying. We hope you like this post and find it useful for your job.
