Faucets in our homes are probably the main household item that gets used multiple times every day! From doing the washing up to brushing our teeth and relaxing in the tub they are probably the most overlooked item in our homes but they can have a massive impact on the overall look of a washroom!
There are many different designs when it comes to faucets and they can either date or modernize your room. The most popular faucet you will come across within the US would be the Moen style.
Many times throughout the year we like to deep clean our homes or renovate. We may even be forced to fix a damaged faucet but when it comes to changing them how easy is this challenge? Is there a safe way for us to replace them without causing a leak or damage?
In this article, we will look into the safest way of removing a Moen faucet handle without screws.
Contents
How Do I Know If I Have a Moen Faucet?
The Moen faucet typically has a one-handed design. The handle of the faucet can be lifted up and moved from right to left for the user to adjust the temperature of the water. Lifting the handle up completely will also change the water pressure.
These were designed with comfort in mind as the user can adjust the temperature with a one-handle lever.
How Do I Remove the Faucet Handle?
Changing or removing your faucet for any reason doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It can be tricky but with these easy-to-follow steps hopefully, we will help make this an easy task.
- Find the caps – If your faucet hasn’t got any screws then it should have caps usually located on the side.
- Removing the Cap – To do this you will need to be extremely careful as the caps are fragile and one false move could lead you to buying a new faucet! To remove the cap use a flat head screwdriver to pop it under and off from the faucet.
- Loosen the Screw – Under the cap there should be a screw, remove this using a screwdriver.
- Remove the handle – Once the screw is removed the handle should be able to just pull off with your hands, however you may need pliers if it is being stubborn.
- Installing the new handle – This is the easiest part! Just follow these steps again but in reverse order, so from 5 to 1.
Repairing a Broken Faucet
There could be times where you find that your faucet is leaking and we all know where there is a leak there is a cost! It is best to eradicate any damaged faucet as soon as it is noticed.
Luckily removing the faucet is just as easy as the handle, check out the easy to follow steps below:
- Turn off your water supply! Check if you need to turn off your water supply you will need to ensure that you turn both the hot and cold water feeds off before attempting to remove anything. This will prevent any leaks or unexpected flooding!
- Empty the feed – water may still be lurking in the pipes of the faucet so after you have turned off the water, turn on the tap to empty any excess. This will help prevent you from a little soaking and protect your floor/cabinets.
- Remove the faucet handle – Following the above steps you can remove the faucet handle first.
- Identify the issue – After you have removed the handle it will be easy to identify what you need to do to repair the damage. It could be anything from a major crack or slight deterioration of a rubber. Whatever the issue, you can pull apart the pieces using a wrench. Turning the wrench near the plastic dome will help to extract the parts for a closer inspection.
- Removing the Mechanism – This can be fiddly so be careful not to damage it as its job is to control the water flow. The mechanism is usually attached with a screw from under the sink/tub. loosen the screw and the mechanism will come free.
- Smaller parts – Next you can remove the washer and white ring, these look irrelevant compared to the bigger picture but they prove an important part so make sure they are put in a safe place as they will be needed when putting the faucet back together!
- Spout – Removing the spout should be easy, once you have followed the above steps it should just pull out. If your faucet is an older generation you may need to use a plier to spin it free.
- Repair – Once you have removed the faucet you can now identify what needs repairing or replacing.
FAQs
How Do You Remove Faucet Handles That Have No Screws?
Removing faucet handles with no screws requires an Allen wrench. Once you have loosened it the handle should typically be able to be pulled off.
How Do You Remove a Moen Faucet Handle?
If your Moen faucet has screws then all you need to do is loosen the screw counterclockwise using a hex wrench. Once the handle has been removed you can unscrew the spout collar nut in the same way and lift it.
How Do I Tighten a Moen Faucet Handle?
This can be an easy job indeed, after you remove the handle itself the screw will be visible for you to tighten to keep the stem in place.
Are All Moen Shower Cartridges the Same?
There is no difference between the cartridges in the Moen 1222 and 1222B. They are made from the same parts but have different model numbers and packaging.
Summary
In summary of this article, I hope you now feel a little more empowered to tackle this job yourself. Without realizing it the faucets in your home are probably one of the most important features. You need them to be in tip-top condition to maintain a good routine around the home.
Leaky faucets can cause further issues and become costly so make sure you identify any issues as and when they arise.
