How to Tighten a Loose Kitchen Faucet

Tighten a bothersome loose kitchen faucet.

The base of a kitchen faucet, along with the faucet handles, always should be secure. Over time, however, the faucet might become loose. If you discover that the faucet is loose at one of these locations, tighten it avoid any possible leaks and make use of the faucet less annoying. The faucet body can be tightened from under the sink, while the faucet handle is fixed from above.

Things You'll Need

• Dull knife
• Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench
• Flashlight
• Basin wrench or adjustable wrench

Instructions

Loose Handles

1. Pry off the decorative cap from the top of the loose handle, or from the front of a single handle using your fingernail or the blade of a small, dull knife.

2. Tighten the screw in the handle, directly underneath the cap, using either a Phillips screwdriver or an Allen wrench as needed.

3. Reinstall the decorative cap over the screw.

Loose Faucet Body

1. Remove any items stored underneath the sink that block your access to the faucet. Shine a flashlight underneath the sink to provide any needed additional lighting.

2. Twist the hot and cold water shut-off valves, located on the wall underneath the sink, completely clockwise.

3. Tighten the two nuts directly underneath the faucet using a basin wrench or an adjustable wrench. These two nuts mount a two-handle faucet to the kitchen sink. For a single-lever faucet, tighten the sole mounting nut directly underneath it.

4. Check the faucet from above to make sure that it is not loose. Twist the hot and cold water shut-off valves underneath the sink counterclockwise to restart the faucet's water supply.

References

• "Encyclopedia of Home Maintenance & Repair"; William P. Spence; 2000