It is not comfortable to deal with a wobbly kitchen faucet. When a kitchen faucet is loose, it becomes annoying to use it. If the kitchen faucet won’t stay in place, it causes hindrance while using it especially when you pull out its hose. With a wobbly faucet, it becomes difficult to use the spray hose of a pull-down or pull-out faucet. Also, it may cause potential damage to the plumbing.
In most cases, the main reason for a loose faucet is a loose nut of the faucet under the sink. Tightening this loose nut is not a tough task. This DIY repairing task is properly explained in this article. By tightening the nut, you can make sure that it won’t damage the faucet and plumbing.
Why Kitchen Faucet Won’t Stay In Place?
If you have ever installed a kitchen faucet, you would have known that there is a mounting nut that holds the faucet in its place on the sink. This nut is located under the sink. This nut secures the faucet firmly in place and allows you to turn the handle of the faucet without it moving around.
But with time, this mounting nut becomes loose due to wear or tear, rust, or simply vibrations caused by the flow of water. If threads of the nut are damaged, it won’t keep the faucet stable in one place.
When the mounting nut is loose, the body of the faucet will wobble when you turn its handle. In the starting, it won’t feel enough but with time, it will wobble more, and working in this condition will become difficult.
In this situation, it becomes difficult to control the flow of water. Also, it can cause water leaks from the base of the faucet. the loose mounting nut can cause serious damage to its surrounding area so it should be fixed quickly.
How Do You Fix a Loose Kitchen Faucet That Won’t Stay In Place?
To fix the kitchen faucet in one position, you have to tighten its mounting nut. For this, you need an adjustable wrench, safety glasses, and a flashlight. Follow the below steps to know the tightening process in detail.
Step 1 – Starts Preparation
To tighten the mounting nut, you will need to go under the sink. But wait you have stored many items there. So, first, remove those items to make a proper space there. Possible that you haven’t cleaned that space for a long time, so it would be better to clean the cabinet floor properly so your clothes won’t get dirty.
Set the flashlight in the right position so the nut should be visible clearly. Before entering the cabinet, wear safety glasses to keep your eyes safe from dirt, debris, or any tiny object.
You don’t want unnecessary water on your body when you tighten the nut. For this, turn off the water supply to the water.
Step 2 – Set Your Position
Now you have done all the preparation to tighten the nut. It’s time to go under the sink. cabinet size is not the same for all kitchens. Maybe you easily fit under the cabinet or you need to adjust the position to make yourself comfortable.
You should try 2-3 different positions to make sure you are comfortable while tightening the nut. Your hand should move freely and there should be proper light so you can see the nut clearly. When you get the right position to tighten the nut, move to the next step.
Step 3 – Tighten The Mounting Nut
Here is the last step. Now it’s time to use the adjustable wrench. Make the grip of the wrench on the nut and rotate it in a clockwise direction. If the cabinet size is small, you may have to move the wrench into small rotations.
For better gripping, use Teflon tape on the nut. For this, first, remove the nut by using the wrench. Now wrap the tape on the nut 2-3 times and then start tightening the nut. Teflon tape will provide a better grip on the nut and the nut will be tightened properly.
When the tightening is completed, come out from the cabinet and check the condition of the faucet. Try to shake the faucet or move its handle, if the faucet won’t wobble, it means you have tightened the nut properly. Now turn on the water to the faucet and start your cleaning or washing work.
Is It Safe To Use Kitchen Faucet If It’s Loose?
You can use a kitchen faucet if it’s loose but it is not advisable. When a kitchen faucet is loose, it means, it is not securely attached to the countertop or sink. So, when you use the faucet, it wobbles and moves around when you use the spray head.
The spray head of the pull-down or pull-out faucet is heavy and when it comes out, it makes the faucet more wobble. It becomes difficult to control the faucet. It may be possible to use a loose kitchen faucet in the short term, but it’s not advisable to do so in the long term.
Can a Loose Kitchen Faucet Cause Damage To Plumbing?
Yes, a loose kitchen faucet can cause damage to your plumbing. Unnecessary strain can be placed on the connections between the faucet and the pipes by the frequent movement and vibration of a loose faucet, which can result in leaks or even bursts in extreme circumstances.
These leaks could result in water damage to your walls, flooring, and cabinets, necessitating pricey repairs. In addition, a loose faucet can harm its interior parts, which will make it operate improperly going forward.
To protect your plumbing and avoid future costly repairs, it’s critical to fix a loose kitchen faucet as soon as possible.
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Pull Down Kitchen Faucet Won’t Stay Up
One common cause of a pull-down kitchen faucet not staying up is a weight under the sink that has worn out. This weight is designed to help the pull-down hose retract smoothly and remains in position when the faucet is not in use.
The hose may not retract correctly if this weight is missing or worn out, which may result in the faucet head drooping or sagging.
A faulty or loose counterbalance is another potential factor. It will be challenging for the hose to remain in position if the counterweight is not properly fastened since it can move up and down the hose. Also, if the counterbalance is broken or damaged, it might not be able to exert adequate stress to hold the hose in place.
Should I Replace a Wobble Kitchen Faucet?
If you have a wobbly kitchen faucet, whether you should replace it or not, depends on the condition of the faucet.
A wobbly kitchen faucet causes due to loose nut at the base of the faucet. When you tighten the nut, the kitchen faucet becomes stable and stops wobbling. In such a scenario, you don’t need to replace the faucet. But if the faucet condition is not good and it is causing issues and leaking, you can replace it.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Loose Faucet?
The cost of repairing a loose faucet depends on different factors. First, it depends on whether you are repairing it yourself or calling a plumber to repair it. If you call a plumber, it will take its fees. Also, whether you need to replace any part or not. Generally, it costs from $30 to $350 according to damage to the faucet and handymen fee.
James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.