Bathroom sink faucets usually come with handles, but some contain no screws. People do this for aesthetic purposes. Therefore, you should ideally know how to remove a bathroom sink faucet handle that comes with or without a screw.
Also Read: Which finish is best for bathroom faucets?
What are the Possible Reasons to Remove Bathroom Sink Faucet Handle
Here are some reasons why you would want to remove your bathroom sink faucet handle:
- If you need to replace it with another one
- To clean the inside part of the handle
- To change the cartridge that sits inside the handle
- To check where the leak is coming from, if there is one
- To change the filter
How to Remove Bathroom Sink Faucet with Cap or Button
Locate & Remove The Button Or Cap
You first should check where the cap of the handle is. This is usually located at the sides of the faucet.
Shut Off The Water & Cover The Drain
You need to shut off the water supply or cover the drain if you change the cartridge.
Remove The Screw & Handle
After locating the cap, you should take it out. You will find a screw inside the cap. Take the screw out with the help of a screwdriver. You should check the size of the screw to choose the right screwdriver for the job. After the screw is removed, the handle should come out quickly. If you still cannot pull the handle out, you can do it with the help of pliers.
Remove a Bathroom Faucet Handle Without Screws:
Locate the Cap or Button
The first step for you is locating the cap or the button. This is on the sides of your faucet.
Use a Flat Screwdriver to Pop Out the Button or Cap
You can either remove the cap with your hands or use a flat screwdriver for popping out the button or cap. In addition, you can rotate the button counter-clockwise to remove it.
Turn Off the Water Supply
As in the first case, you should turn the water supply off or shut the drain.
Remove the Screw
After removing the button and locating the screw inside the handle, you can remove the screw. You need to do this with the help of a screwdriver. Determining the type of the screwdriver depends on checking the size of the screw.
Pull the Handle
You should then pull the handle out. You will first locate the base of the handle of your sink faucet to do this. Then you should be able to lift the handle and remove it easily.
Remove Double Faucet Handles without Screw:
Turn Off the Water Supply
Turning off the water supply from under the sink is a must for this method. It is a safety precaution.
Twist the Handle’s Base
Hold the handle in place with one hand and twist the base of the handle with the other. This is an easy step. You can remove the faucet’s base using this method.
Remove the Screw
After removing the base of the faucet, you can remove the screw inside. You can do this with the help of a screwdriver. Check the size of the screw inside the handle so you can determine which size screwdriver you should use for this step.
Pull Out the Cartridge
Remove the cartridge next. You can find it once you remove the screw. Use the nosed needle plier for this step. You can remove this and replace it as and when it needs replacing using this method.
Remove a Bathroom Sink Lever-Style Faucet Handle:
Remove the Button
The buttons are on the front side of the faucet’s handle. Take a flat-headed screwdriver and remove the buttons with its help. These buttons are usually highly fragile, so you should remove them carefully with a screwdriver. People commonly mistake not covering the drain while removing the buttons. You might end up losing the buttons down the drain if you don’t cover it with something.
Remove the Allen Key
After removing the button, you will find an Allen key in the faucet. You should remove this with the help of an Allen wrench as it cannot be removed by any other tool.
Pull off the Faucet Handle
Once you remove the Allen key, you should remove the faucet handle next. You will first locate the base of the handle of your sink faucet to do this. Then you should be able to lift the handle and remove it quickly.
Expose the Cartridge
Once the Allen key and faucet handles are removed, you will find the cartridge located in your faucet. You can remove the cartridge by unscrewing it counterclockwise with your hands. Since the cartridge is highly fragile, you should do this with the help of a towel. The towel will protect the handle from getting scratched.
Also Read: 9 Best Rated Shower Faucets In The Market
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common faucet handles are lever, cross, and blade handles. The type of handle is based on the faucet shape itself. Therefore, the ergonomics of the handle will have an impact on how smoothly you can turn the faucet on and off.
No, the faucet handles are not interchangeable. They can fit the stem but will not be compatible with the whole model. In most cases, the faucet handle type will be dependent on the size and other design aspects of the faucet itself.
You need to measure your cartridge and determine its type. You can use a caliper or a ruler to measure the cartridge. The cartridge length is the central aspect you should pay attention to. Measure it from the base to the tip of the stem.
Wrapping Up
Bathroom faucet handles come in varying designs. These are based on their shapes and sizes. Their purpose is to secure the faucet properly and help control the water flow. You should know the kind of faucet you are dealing with for replacement or repair. You can follow the guide given above and remove, repair, or replace your faucet handle easily and with no troubles.
