No matter how expensive, leading manufacturer, best brand, or certified your faucet is; it still undergoes “wear and tear” over time. No one wants to wish for their faucet to break, but it is a certain future that you need to be prepared for. One of the problems they may encounter is with the handle. It can be loose or some screws can cause the problem.
Prepare the necessary equipment
As with any war, you must be prepared. The equipment you need to prepare are the flashlight, a screwdriver (that fits the screw of the handle, depending on the brand), and an adjustable wrench (crescent, or smooth), you can use a pair of channel locks if the wrench is not available. You also need plumber’s tape (wall seal tape) or a replacement part – the ball lever, or a set of screws.
Preparation for repair
In addition to having the necessary equipment for the repair, you also need to prepare your work space – in this case the sink, above and below. Remove things that may interfere with your repair that are on the counter top such as soap dispensers. It is also best to cover the sink drain to prevent anything from falling down. Then remove things that are under the sink, things that can knock you over (just for precaution). You also want to turn off the water valve that is usually found under the sink, use your flashlight for this. If you have hot and cold water, then you should turn off two valves, otherwise, there should be one. Check if the water valve is completely turned off by opening the faucet handle (there should be no water coming out). Now you are ready to repair your loose kitchen faucet.
Step 1: Inspect the handle/spout
The first thing you need to check is the aerator. If the aerator is damaged, then it may not filter very well. Then check the appearance of the handle for any breaks or holes. Now you have to find the screw. In most cases, when you remove the handle/spout, the screw will be there. Prepare the screwdriver that goes into it.
Step 2: Remove the screw
Using your screwdriver, gently remove the screw and set it aside. Be sure to also check the screw for its integrity. Remove the handle slowly using your wrench, and inside you will be able to see the different parts of the faucet, starting from the cover. Remove the cover and the ball/lever; just make sure you know the sequence of putting them back in place.
Step 3: Inspect the cap and lever
If the cap or ball/lever has any areas of cracks, then you need replacement parts. There is no way you can fix that. If there is no crack, then the cap is loose.
Step 4: Use plumber’s tape or replace
Wrap plumber’s tape around the lid. If there are any loose parts of the old tape from the cap, some advise to actually remove or cut it off. Then wrap tape tightly in a few layers, maybe 3-5 times. This tape will act as the seal to tighten the faucet.
Step 5: Sit back and turn on the valve
Now put the ball/lever and cap back in place. Slide the handle back by hand, and tighten with your flat wrench. Now screw the handle back in with your screwdriver in a clockwise motion. Make sure it’s done right. Then check the handle for any sensations of looseness (there should not be). Finally, turn on the water valves under the sink, and your faucet is now working properly.
Precaution
Most of the time, a loose kitchen faucet is just because of a loose screw or a loose handle. If that is the case, just tighten the screw or handle in a clockwise motion of the screwdriver or wrench. Situations such as where the faucet is mounted can also be the cause of it becoming loose. And fixing the faucet won’t do any good. Maybe the water leaks and overtime rots the wood where the faucet is mounted. Therefore, it is necessary to replace this material and not the faucet.
