If you find your kitchen faucet base or handle getting loose, you may be able to lengthen the life of your faucet by tightening it. This could put off the need to replace your faucet for a bit. Tightening your faucet base will allow your kitchen faucet to function correctly, so you can use it the way you normally do.
Here is how to tighten your faucet base.
- Clear out the area under your sink. You’ll need to remove everything you have stored beneath your sink. Then, you will turn off the water supply valves. After this, you should turn on your faucet in order to release the pressure from the valves.
- Access the faucet base. After you turn the water supply off, you should look around the cabinet under the kitchen sink and locate the faucet base. You may need to use a flashlight to be able to see it. Once you locate it, take an adjustable wrench and carefully remove the water supply lines from the base.
- Tighten the faucet. Next, you will tighten the faucet. To do this, you will use a basin wrench. If you don’t have a basin wrench, it is often possible to rent one if you would rather not purchase one. Once you have a basin wrench, use it to tighten the nuts on the faucet base until they are tight. Then, attach the water lines and turn the water on.
How To Tighten a Loose Faucet Handle
It is possible you might have a loose faucet handle in addition to your loose faucet base. A loose faucet can make it difficult to turn the water on and off. This is something you might be able to fix yourself, which could save you the cost of having a plumber replace your kitchen faucet. So, here is how you can tighten your kitchen faucets.
- Remove items beneath the sink as necessary. In order to tighten your faucet handles, you need to have access to the water supply lines. So, you should take out any items that may get in your way. Then, when you locate the water valves, turn them off.
- Look at Your Faucet Handles. Check to see if you have a decorative top on your faucet handles or a set screw with a dissolved hex head. Some faucets have a decorative cap that you’ll need to take off to access the set screw. Then, you can use a hex head wrench and turn the set screw clockwise to tighten it. If you have trouble accessing the set screw with the hex head wrench, try lifting the handle to the on position.
- Turn on the water. Once you have tightened the set screw, you can go back under the sink and reconnect the water supply lines. After this, you can turn the water back on. Then you can try the faucet handles to see if they work well. If everything works well, you can put the decorative caps back on your faucets and place your items back under the sink.
Both of the fixes in this article are reasonably easy to do. So, if you have a loose faucet or a loose faucet base, they are worth a try. However, if they don’t work, you may need to contact a plumber.
Contact Us
If you are having problems with your kitchen faucet and need some help, then contact J Griffin Heating & Plumbing. Our professional team of plumbers has more than three decades of experience with heating and plumbing services. Call us at 781-520-1212 and connect with us on Facebook.
