Plumbing problems can cause chaos in your home, and while some issues may seem intimidating, almost everyone has a solution. Others aren’t alarming but can create an inconvenience that interrupts your regular activities. For example, loose kitchen faucets can create major problems when you need to cook, clean, or wash.
If you ignore the problem, a loose faucet may cause leakage and damage your pipes. Once you notice a loose faucet, grab your tools, and fix it before it is too late.
Why Does My Kitchen Faucet Keep Coming Loose?
You can’t work with a loose faucet, especially when you have to worry about the noises it makes or a leak running across the counter. Look for these common causes of loose faucets:
- Loose kitchen faucet base: When you use your faucet handle, the kitchen faucet base may loosen over time and cause leakage in your home.
- Loose screws: Under the kitchen sink, screws secure the pipes. Eventually, these screws may loosen and cause a more serious plumbing issue.
- Old O-ring: The O-ring holds faucets in place and keeps them secure. When you use the faucet regularly, it may result in loose O-ring and a leaky sink.
How Do You Tighten the Bottom of a Kitchen Faucet?
Before you decide if you need professional faucet repair or kitchen faucet replacement, tighten the bottom and prolong your faucet’s life. Tightening the base will make a previously loose kitchen faucet function normally and allow you to complete all of your everyday kitchen tasks without stress.
To tighten the faucet base, follow this process:
Step 1: Remove any objects underneath the sink
First, remove all objects and cleaning products from the cabinet under your sink. Next, turn the water supply valves off and turn the faucet on to release the pressure from the valves.
Step 2: Go into the cabinet
Once you turn off the water and cut the water supply, look at the space under the sink, and assess the faucet base. If necessary, use a flashlight for better lighting.
Use an adjustable wrench to secure the lines and hold the base. To loosen, turn the adjustable wrench clockwise. Then, remove the water supply lines.
Step 3: Use a basin wrench to tighten the faucet
To tighten the faucet, you will need a basin wrench, which you can buy or rent for a small fee. Slide the basin wrench to one of the nuts supporting the faucet base to the sink.
Turn the nuts with the wrench until they are tight. Connect the water lines and turn the water supply back on.
How to Tighten the Faucet Handle
Aside from a loosened faucet base, you may also have a loose faucet handle. A loose handle can impact the ability of your faucet to turn on and off.
If you don’t tighten the handle before it becomes a problem, you’ll need faucet kitchen replacement done by a professional plumber. Instead of replacing, kitchen faucet handle-tightening is something you can do yourself.
Step 1: Remove any objects below the sink
To tighten the faucet handle, you’ll need to access the water supply valves at the back of the sink cabinet. Remove any objects that block your way, and once you get to the valves, turn off the water.
Step 2: Examine the faucet handle
You may find two things on top of the faucet handle: decorative caps or a setscrew with a dissolved hex head. Using a hex head wrench, turn the setscrew clockwise until it’s tight. If you cannot access the setscrew with the hex head wrench, lift the handle to the on position.
Some faucets come with a decorative cap. A cap is used only for decorative purposes, but in some cases, for example, when repairing faucets, you’ll have to pry off the cap.
Step 3: Apply masking tape
If you can’t find a hex head setscrew on the faucet handle, apply masking tape around the decorative caps. Slide the top of your screwdriver under the cap’s edge. Lift the screwdriver to remove the decorative cap.
Turn clockwise until it is tight. Push the decorative cap over the opening and remove the tape from the handle.
Step 4: Turn the water back on
Now that you’ve dealt with the decorative cap and removed the tape from the handle, reconnect the waterline and turn the valves back on to bring water to the faucets.
How Do You Tighten a Moen Kitchen Faucet?
When you have a stylish sink in the kitchen, you can increase the value of your home, and your faucet plays a significant role in the most attractive kitchen sinks.
With so many different types of faucets available, one of the most popular is Moen. So, what happens when you have a loose Moen faucet?
The process is similar to almost any loose kitchen faucet. First, you need to turn off the water supply valves. Next, open the Moen faucet handle to release the pressure from the lines.
Use an adjustable wrench to pry off the lines, and then attach the wrench between the lines and the inlet. Turn the wrench anti-clockwise.
Get a hex head wrench to grip the loosened nuts and connect them with the base. Make sure you tighten the base, reconnect the valves, and check for any leakage from the faucet handle. If you don’t see any, you’ve finished the job.
A Final Word
Your kitchen faucets are one of the most important parts of your kitchen. You need them to work properly at all times to keep your daily routine intact.
After all, faucets are an investment that should last for years, and you need them to do their job right. If you aren’t sure which type of faucet works best for your home, ask the Mr. Kitchen Faucets team. We can help you find the ideal faucet that matches your needs, no matter how much you use it
When you have loose kitchen faucets, replacement may be your best option. When you need a kitchen faucet, replace it with Mr. Kitchen Faucets.
We’ll help you determine what kind you need and work within your budget. If you have questions, leave name, email, or leave a comment so we can talk about your needs.