How to Adjust a Kitchen Faucet

Adjusting your kitchen faucet's handle or temperature takes little time.

Your kitchen faucet handle is attached by a small setscrew to the cartridge underneath it. Adjusting this setup to reposition the kitchen faucet handle and make operation easier and more intuitive takes about 10 minutes. If your faucet has a temperature-control adjustment, this will take another 10 minutes to complete. Consult your parts diagram or manufacturer's website to find out if your faucet is adjustable. Provided you have all the tools needed and can handle a screwdriver, you can complete this task and have a better-operating kitchen faucet .

Things You'll Need

• Allen wrench
• Screwdriver
• Pliers (optional)

Instructions

1. Turn off the water to the faucet as a precaution.

2. Find the setscrew attaching the handle to the cartridge. This is always located on the handle of the faucet, either in the back or front and near the base. Loosen the setscrew with an Allen wrench or screwdriver, determined by the type of screw on your faucet.

3. Lift off the faucet handle. Clean the stem if it is dirty.

4. Reattach the handle and retighten the setscrew. Position the handle properly on the stem so there is enough range of motion to completely open the cartridge valves. Center the handle on the stem.

5. Turn the water on and test the faucet. Take the handle off again if necessary. Reposition the stem so it is centered, replace the handle and tighten. Repeat the process until the faucet is adjusted properly.

6. Remove the faucet handle. Locate the adjusting valve, if your faucet has one. Turn this valve left or right to adjust temperature and water flow. Turn on water to test the faucet and adjust it as necessary.

References

• The Family Handyman: How to Repair a Kitchen Faucet