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How to Take Off Plastic Shower Handles

Dannah Swift

In order to perform routine maintenance on a leaking shower faucet or to replace a broken handle, you’ll have to access the inside of the device. This project will involve removal of the decorative plastic shower handle.

This plastic handle covers the metal faucet underneath, and is usually held in place with little more than a few screws.

  1. Turn off the water at the main and plug the drain with a rag so you don’t lose any screws or other handle components.

  2. Remove the cover plate on the front of the knob, located in its center. This center plate often is round and may contain the brand name of the faucet. Wedge a flathead screwdriver under that cover plate and pop it out of place.

  3. Loosen the screw that holds the plastic faucet cover in place. Put the screw someplace safe if you intend to replace the same plastic knob.

  4. Pull the plastic knob from the metal handle to which it attaches.

  5. Loosen the screws that hold the cover plate in place and remove it to access the handle cover. Pull off the metal handle to access the faucet’s insides.