A squeaky faucet handle is annoying and displeasing. It would be best if you fixed it to eliminate the squeaking noise it emits when you turn your faucet on or off. What causes the squeaking noise is the handle’s rotation on the faucet’s handle stem without lubrication. Luckily, you don’t have to replace the whole faucet to eliminate the noise.
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6 Steps to Fix a Squeaky Faucet Handle:
Fixing a squeaky faucet handle is not complex as most people imagine it to be. It a simple process that you can do all by yourself. But if you don’t have enough time you can engage a professional.
Step 1: Get the Necessary Equipment
The first step of fixing the faucet is getting the necessary equipment to fix the handle. The essential equipment you require include:
• A screwdriver
• A pair of pliers or a wrench
• A lubricant- preferably some plumber’s grease
Other equipment you may need, even though they are optional such as:
• A drill,
• Some screws, and
• A screw extractor
These may come in handy in the course of the procedure, but they are not necessary. The tools can help make the process smooth, so it’s recommendable to have them.
Step 2: Pry of the Faucet’s Cap
After assembling the necessary equipment to fix the squeaking faucet, it is time to pry the faucet’s cap. For this part, you need a screwdriver. To pry off the lid, you need to press the screwdriver’s end under the faucet’s caps. If you apply the right pressure, the cap will pry off, giving you access to the faucet’s handle.
Sometimes, the cap will not come off due to some tightness in the center. If this happens, you will need a pair of pliers to loosen and remove the cap. Just grip the cap with the pair of pliers then rotate the pliers clockwise. Doing this should loosen the lid, and if you turn the faucet in the same clockwise motion, the cap will pry off.
Step 3: Remove the Screw to Remove the Knob
Next, you should remove the screw on the knob. You can do this using a screwdriver by turning it clockwise until the screw comes off. You can also use a drill to remove the screw because the drill emits more force than you can when using your hand. This is where the optional equipment becomes handy because they make your work easy and save you both energy and time.
You can use the drill and an extractor to ease your work, especially when dealing with a stripped screw. Just fix the screw extractor to the drill through the screw’s head to remove the screw. You can then remove the knob easily, now exposing the handle stem.
Step 4: Lubricate the Faucet’s Handle Stem
After removing the cap and the knob, it is now time to lubricate the faucet’s handle stem to get rid of the squeaking sounds. Here, you can use a simple lubricant, preferably a plumber’s grease, to oil and lubricate the faucet’s handle stem’s visible parts. Ensure that you coat the handle stem generously with grease to cover every visible part. This ensures that the squeaking will stop.
Step 5: Screw the Knob Back into the Handle Stem
After lubricating the faucet’s handle stem, you can now return the knob to its original position. Then, insert the screw back to the knob’s center before tightening it as you found it. It is essential to ensure that you fasten it correctly using a screwdriver or a drill.
If you have a stripped screw and you use a screw extractor to remove it, you need to replace the crew with a new one. Turn the screwdriver anticlockwise to tighten the screw’s grip to the point you desire.
Step 6: Place the Cap Back
After tightening the knob’s screw, you can return the cap to place. To do this, place the cap’s center above the knob the apply pressure to press it down to its original position. It would be best if you then turn the cap clockwise to ensure that is it tight enough.
At times, what causes the faucet handle to squeaking is its old and rusty nature. If that is case, you can open the faucet using the above method then wash the handle stem using vinegar. Doing that will get rid of the rust, after which you can apply lubrication to prevent squeaking.
You can also opt to replace the whole faucet with a new faucet to get rid of the squeaking sounds. It would be best if you consider calling a professional plumber to do the replacement for you. However, you can replace the faucet yourself through a simple process. You will have to disassemble the faucet’s handle using a wrench then replace it with a new one. Due to the rust, you might want to apply some lubrication when removing the faucet’s handle.
Conclusion
If your faucet handle makes squeaking noises, you should consider adding lubrication to the faucet’s handle stem. Lubricating the handle’s stem eliminates the squeaking noises, and your faucet will open with ease. It is a simple process that you can do yourself. You should ensure that you have the right equipment for this procedure, such as a screwdriver, some lubrication, and a pair of pliers.
Follow the above procedure to fix the squeaking faucet. After that, ensure that you reassemble the faucet as you found it, and tighten the screws. You should also ensure that the faucet’s cap is tight enough to prevent water from leaking.
