Faucet Handles Crooked
Here's Donna's wonky faucet handles as they current look. Photo credit: Donna Hirsch
Donna Hirsch wrote to me about her bathroom faucet handles. You'll love this:
"Hi Tim, I have a minor problem in my bathroom with my sink faucets.
Take a look at the pics.
The handles on my hot and cold water used to be straight out at 90 degree angles (now the faucet runs at that angle).
Currently they are all wonky. When you turn the water on, the handles are moved toward your body.
Can you tell me how to fix them please? I'm sure it just involves popping the little circle out from the center of the handle and using a screwdriver.
I don't see a need for torches or 20-pound sledges. Not sure about turning off the water - but I do know where the bathroom shutoff is!
Do you think you can tell me how to fix this?
I'm 65 and I'm awfully good with tools and know how to follow instructions. Your faithful Chicago Tribune reader and president of your fan club."
Donna's faucet handles currently look like the photograph at the top of this column. Here's what she'd like them to look like:
This is what they're supposed to look like. Photo credit: Donna Hirsch
See the round caps on top of the faucet handles that are about the size of a thumbtack head? All you have to do is pry those off and you'll see the screw that holds the handle in place. You remove that screw and align the handle to where you want it so it's straight. You then reinstall the screw and the little cap.You can remove the cap with a sharp knife or some other piece of metal that's got a very thin edge. Just tap it under the cap to get a purchase. Be careful so you don't cut yourself or scratch the metal on the faucet.
All that said, the problem could be more involved. These wide-spread faucets often are separate parts. Each valve and the faucet spout are separate and connected by flexible hoses.
It's common for the nut under the faucet handles to come loose which is the root of the problem and why the handle is out of alignment.
This means you need to have a helper align the faucet handle from above after you've used a basin wrench under the sink to loosen the large nut that tightens the valve to the sink top. You then tighten the nut as best as possible while the helper ensures the handle is straight as in photo #2 above.
Using the basin wrench is not hard, it's just you need to wriggle your body under the sink on your back.
When's the next fan club meeting? Please contact my editor at the Chicago Tribune and put in a good word for me!
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