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Removing faucet handles is not usually a difficult task, but what if there are no screws? This article will tell you everything you need to know about screwless faucets.
We’ve covered everything from why you might want to replace them, the tools required to do it, and of course, the essential step-by-step guides taking you through how to remove a bathroom sink faucet handle without screws.
Different Types of Screwless Faucet Handles
With so many different styles of faucets, you are inevitably going to get different kinds of screwless faucets. Here are the most commonly found types;
- Handles with a button or cap
- A double faucet handle without screws or cap
- A lever-style (low arc) faucet handle without screws or caps.
Tools You’ll Need To Remove A Sink Faucet Without Screws
To remove your screwless faucet handle, you will need the correct equipment and tools. Here is a list of all the items you may need depending on what type of faucet you are trying to remove.
- Allen wrench
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat head screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Cloth or old towel
- Pliers
- Distilled white vinegar
- Lemon
- A faucet handle puller set
Now that you have the tools necessary for the job, you just need to know how to remove the faucet handles.
How do you remove a faucet handle without screws? A step-by-step guide with the best methods:
Because there are three standard screwless handles, you will find below three separate step-by-step guides letting you know how to remove each one.
1. The Faucet Handle Has a Button or Cap
If the faucet handle has a button or cap, follow these steps to help you remove it;
Step 1
The first thing you will have to do is turn off the water supply. To do this, locate the valve and turn it clockwise. After completing the work, turn it anticlockwise to turn it back on.
It would be best if you also covered the sink drain to stop any parts from falling down the sinkhole.
Step 2
You will then need to locate the decorative cap or button. You can pop this off using your flat head screwdriver.
Step 3
The hidden screw will be beneath the cap, and you will be able to unscrew this or pull it out with your wrench.
Step 4
When the hidden screw has been removed, you will be able to pull the handle off.
2. A Double Faucet Handle Without Screws or Cap
If you have a double faucet handle without screws or caps, this is how you can take it off;
Step 1
As with the previous advice, you will need to locate your water valve and turn it clockwise to turn the water off.
Covering the sink drain at this point will stop any small parts or screws from falling down the drain.
Step 2
You should then hold the faucet arm in place while rotating the base in an anticlockwise motion and then remove it.
Step 3
When the faucet has been removed, you will be able to unscrew the inner screw and take the handle off.
Step 4
If you need to remove the white cartridge at this point, you will be able to do so using pliers.
3. A Lever-Style (Low Arc) Faucet Handle Without Screws or Caps
If you have a lever-style handle without screws or caps, here’s how you can remove it:
Step 1
You should always turn off the water supply before starting by turning the shut-off valves clockwise. It would be best to plug your drain to stop small parts from falling down it.
Step 2
To remove the button, you should apply pressure to the edges. They are very fragile, so be careful when doing this.
Step 3
There will be an Allen key underneath, not a screw. Use your Allen wrench to remove this.
Step 4
You will now be able to lift the screwless faucet handles and remove them.
Step 5
If your faucet contains a cartridge, you can unscrew the top gold-colored piece by hand to reveal the white cartridge underneath. You will be able to replace this if you are not permanently removing your faucet handles.
Why Would You Need to Remove a Faucet Handle?
There are many reasons that people need to remove faucet handles. Knowing how to do this yourself will save you time and money rather than paying for a plumber to come out.
Replace the actual faucet
You might need to replace your faucet if it is faulty, damaged, or you are renovating.
New fixtures and fittings can transform the look of a kitchen or bathroom, and if you are getting a completely new bathroom suite, it is unlikely you will be keeping your old ones. Or, perhaps you’re dealing with a stripped faucet handle that just keeps turning without adjusting the water flow.
Fix a leak
If you are unlucky enough to have the telltale signs of a leak or have water dripping through your downstairs ceiling, you need to identify where the leak is coming from, and resolve it as quickly as possible.
It might be the case that you have to remove the faucet to investigate or fix a leak, and sometimes it will also involve having to remove the handle.
Knowing how to do this can either help you fix the leak or identify the problem so you can give your plumber all the information they need to fix it.
Removing or replacing the faucet cartridge
If your faucet cartridge is worn or damaged, it can cause leaks. Swapping replacement parts into your faucet will stop the leak and offer better performance.
Handle cleaning
Anyone who has tried to deep clean a kitchen faucet will know it is difficult to get into hard-to-reach spots, even with brushes and special cleaners.
Removing a kitchen or bathroom sink faucet handle will give you much better access and the ability to give it a thorough clean, improving its performance and making it more hygienic.
Get rid of mineral deposits
Mineral deposits can build in the aerator and spout of faucet handles. Soaking in distilled white vinegar can help to dissolve this and make it easier to flush out. Removing a faucet will help you clean the aerator fully.
Read more: How to prevent calcium buildup on your faucets
Change a filter
Faucet filters stop chemicals, bacteria, sediment, grit, mineral deposits, and much more from contaminating your water supply. For them to work well, you will have to maintain them regularly, which means swapping old filters out for new ones.
Final Thoughts
A faucet’s purpose is to allow you to have running water on demand, but many also serve cosmetic purposes. Whatever faucet you own, however, all have a hidden or invisible set screw on the inside.
Finding the best method to remove your handles is usually the most challenging part – after that, the job should be relatively straightforward.
If your handles have seized, it is possible to invest in a faucet handle puller set, making it easier to remove them.
You may notice limescale deposits when you remove the handles. If you plan to keep them, cleaning them with lemon or white vinegar will help dissolve the deposits, making them easy to flush clean.
