How to Tighten a Kitchen Faucet Handle That Keeps Leaking When Shut Off

Most of the time you go on with your day-to-day tasks around the kitchen sink and you don’t think twice about your kitchen faucet. When you turn on the handle the water comes on and when you turn it off the water stops. But an older faucet handle can become loose and over time inhibit the valve inside your faucet from shutting off the water completely.

What is it Inside That Causes The Valve Not To Close All The Way?

So what exactly goes wrong inside a faucet handle that keeps it from not shutting off all the way? Inside you imagine washers getting worn out, or some time of metal with friction grinding itself away to the point that something is loose. After all, all moving parts do tend to get worn out, but once you remove the handle and trip cap it’s easy to see that the faucet body is tightly held in to create a seal against the supply ports of the base of the bottom of the valve with a large brass retaining nut. Also, the outer radius of the top of the valve body is sized to fit perfectly inside the retaining nut, which also can sometimes get loose, but more than likely isn’t the problem. Another likely culprit is the friction on the ball valve is getting a little too great and may need to be greased. When you lower the friction of that ball valve it allows the valve to be closed with less torque on the valve body. This lack of torque causes the deflection inside the capture nut to decrease. Without the deflection, the valve throw is enabled to have a proper range of motion. When this happens, the valve is able to shut off like it is supposed to when it’s new.

We Actually Made a Video to Demonstrate How to Fix The Loose Faucet Handle

You may think you might have to rush out. And get a completely new faucet or that you’ve had your faucet for several years and it’s just time for a new faucet. In reality, it could just be a couple of simple things that you can easily do with common hand tools.

All you need is a large adjustable wrench, Vaseline, and an Allen wrench. You’ll also need to know how to cut off your main water supply. This fix can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.

Watch the video below to learn how it’s done.

South End Plumbing specializes in leak repair, so remember, we are just a click away. We also specialize in drain cameras – give us a call! South End Plumbing is one of the only companies that will give you a free estimate. Call us at 704-919-1722 or fill out the form online to schedule a visit.