How to Tighten Kitchen Faucet Nut under Sink?

How to Tighten Kitchen Faucet Nut under Sink? The kitchen is the busiest room in every home, and in every kitchen, there is nothing important a properly working kitchen sink. However, sometimes you have to fix little issues without calling for plumbing services including kitchen faucets with low water pressure or loose faucets creating a mess on the sink. For instance, if you know how to tighten a kitchen faucet nut under the sink, you can save your time and money by fixing it at home. Though most kitchen faucets have proper installation instructions still there are some faucets with no instruction, and fixing them can be one hell of a task. If you are facing a loose kitchen faucet nut under sink issue, this brief procedure can help you to deal with it.[acf field=”how_to”]

How to Tighten Kitchen Faucet Nut under sink?

Tightening the kitchen faucet nut under the sink can be difficult, but when you have the right tools and proper knowledge, you can easily solve the issue

Before your start the process, you need the following tools to tighten the kitchen faucet nut under the sink

• Basin Wrench
• Bolts
• Alterable pliers
• Headlamps

Step 1 – Make Space under the Kitchen Sink

Typically, we store many kitchen items under the sink, including random utensils, cookeries, or cleaning solutions. These things block the space under the sink. That’s why it is essential to clear the workstation to avoid any inconvenience. As you will be working under the sink to tighten the faucet, you need maximum space for best performance

Also, there are outer tubes attached to the kitchen faucet. Don’t forget to unscrew them before starting. However, if you are looking to detach the entire sink from the wall, it is recommended to use adjustable pliers. These pliers can help to separate the faucet from the wall and to position it on the table.

Step 2 – Giving Proper Position to Kitchen Faucet

If you don’t want to detach the faucet from the wall, make sure someone holds it steady for you. Use headlamps to get under the sink and position the lamp directly under of the kitchen faucet.

If you want to detach the kitchen faucet from the wall, it will be a lot easier to work with. Hold your tap on the workspace and gather equipment. When you are done with tightening the nut, you will need to align it properly with the wall.

Step 3 – Time for Basin Wrench

When using your basin wrench, make sure to rotate it to fit the nut under the sink. It is essential that the wrench should face the proper positioning, or it will keep detaching itself from the nut. Now start rotating the wrench clockwise to tighten the kitchen faucet nut under the sink.

If you have detached your sink to fit for your workplace, all unscrewing directions will be reversed. You may feel a bit dyslexic under the sink, but you have to do it properly and quickly. Now you are moving the faucet nut in the opposite direction of your wrench and tightening it. Make sure to position the basin wrench claw around the left side.

Step 4 – Finishing things off

When you are done with tightening the faucet nut, make sure that the screw is tightened up completely. Just un-wrench the basic wrench and turn it in the opposite direction and it should come right off.

How to Tighten a Kitchen Faucet Handle?

Another common issue in every kitchen is the loose faucet handle. Though there is a variety of handles available on the market, we are going to share the tightening procedure that works best for most faucet handles.

Before starting, make sure to collect this equipment.

• Flathead screwdriver or a knife
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Hex head wrench

Step 1. Turn off the Water Supply

It is not important to turn off the water supply, but it will help to prevent a flood if anything goes wrong. Sometimes, you need to work with the open faucet, and turning off the water supply will prevent water from coming out.

Many kitchen faucets have a set screw with a hex head which is located at the base of the handle. If you are unable to find it, remove the decorative cap in the handle. Use a knife or flathead screwdriver to do this. After removing the cap, you will see either a Phillips head screw or a hex head set screw.

Step 2. Tighten Accordingly

It primarily depends on the type of kitchen faucet to tighten the handle. If your faucet has a set screw at the handle base, take your hex head wrench and push it into the screw and turn the wrench clockwise to tighten it.

Remember you have to turn on the faucet because you cannot do this when the faucet is off. That’s one important reason why you do not turn off the water supply. If the screw is present under the decorative cap, use your Phillips head screwdriver or hex head wrench to tighten the screw by turning it clockwise. Also, you may need to hold the kitchen faucet handle for this.

Step 3. Check the Handle Properly

When you are done with everything, carefully check the faucet handle to ensure it no longer moves. If it is fixed properly, put everything back to its original position.

Step 4. Replace the Can and Turn on the Water

When you have fastened the handle properly, pop the decorative cap back and open the valves under the kitchen sink.

Step 5. Basin Wrench Alternatives and Tips

There is nothing better than using a basin wrench for tightening, but what to do when you don’t have one? Don’t worry; there are many alternatives available in your home.

Use duct tape to wrap it around the nut in layers and pull on it firmly to unscrew. You can also use a zip tie to unscrew the nut.

If you have a deep kitchen sink, use a telescoping wrench. The extended shaft of this wrench is useful when dealing with the deep sink.

When you are using an old nut, use some lubricant or oil for rusting. It will help you to prevent the extra hassle.

Final Words

A kitchen faucet becomes loose over time, and you have to tighten the faucet nut under the sink to ensure the best performance. Though there are plumbing services ready to serve you, one should know how to deal with such minor issues. Make sure to use professional tools such as basin wrench for tightening and loosening tasks.