Moen kitchen faucets are simple to use and typically durable, and while they may get loose at times.
Fortunately, if your Moen faucet gets loose, all you have to do is adjust the nut. Let’s take a look at how to tighten Moen kitchen faucet.
If you have a loose Moen faucet, the repair is rather straightforward. Additionally, it is very typical for the handle to loosen with time, so you may just do a short repair to restore normalcy. After shutting off the water, you have to tighten the loose nut present at the bottom of the faucet, ensuring that it is securely fastened. This task should take no more than 20 minutes on average.
Moen manufactures a diverse range of kitchen faucets, the majority of which have received praise from critics.
And besides, Moen is a faucet manufacturer, so it’s natural to expect them to provide durable kitchen faucets.
Why Does Your Moen Faucet Become Loose ?
However, what actually occurs when the base becomes loose? And how does this occur?
Base is a little sloppy
With repeated use, both the faucet base and handle would become weak and loose. That is completely normal and causes no concern. Moen faucets, in fact, are designed to endure a long time, so a loose handle is really nothing to worry about.
What Will Happen When Your Moen Faucet is Loose?
Leaking
One of the frequent signs of a loose base or handle is a small amount of water dripping from the faucet. It clearly shows that the joints are no longer secure, permitting small amounts of water to drip out.
If somehow the issue worsens, the leakage will worsen as well. So, it is recommended to tighten the faucet base or handle as soon as possible. While the leakage may not be dangerous, it is an irritation that should be addressed immediately.
Also read: How to change a bathtub faucet
Step by Step Guide: How to Tighten Moen Kitchen Faucet
The great news is that strengthening the base of your Moen faucet is a fairly easy procedure.
Additionally, it does not require any advanced tools. I believe that you will have a majority of these tools in your tool kit. If you don’t have one, then you can buy one from any home improvement store.
Materials Required
- Hand gloves
- Mini knife
- 3/32” Allen wrench
- Flashlight
- Adjustable wrench
- Basin wrench
Step 1: Cover the Basin Drain
- Begin by sealing the basin drain. This guarantees that neither of the parts, particularly the nuts, will go into the drain.
- This is a terrible scenario that has occurred frequently for many people.
- Additionally, it is crucial to avoid these concerns since losing key nuts necessitates their replacement.
- Actually, taking one of the spare nuts to the hardware shop to get a match is an unnecessary burden.
- So, it is best to cover the basin drain as a first step.
Step 2: Shut off the Water Supply
- After properly plugging the basin drain, it’s important to locate and cut off your water supply.
- Whenever it relates to a Moen kitchen faucet, you’re mostly dealing with two kinds of water delivery valves: the hot water valve and the cold water valve.
- Those valves are located at the rear of the majority of Moen kitchen faucets.
- Provide enough light; else, you may have some trouble in identifying the valves.
- Once you locate the water system valves, turn them both counterclockwise to cut them off.
- Restart the faucet and check to see that the water is no longer flowing.
- Assure that the valves are securely sealed in place; otherwise, you may encounter some leakage while working.
Step 3: Release Leftover Pressure
- Once you switch off the supply valves, the following section is critical.
- Now you have to open the handle from your faucet.
- After that, you’ll want to relieve any built-up pressure in the water pipes.
- Don’t forget this step, as it will be necessary in subsequent phases.
Step 4: Remove the Water Lines
- Once the water flow has been restricted, it’s time to concentrate on the faucet’s base region.
- This is when the adjustable wrench comes in handy, since you’ll need to pull the water pipes apart.
- Now you want to connect your adjustable wrench to the supply and intake pipes of the water system.
- To dislodge them, rotate the wrench counterclockwise.
Tip: Gloves are required here. You could probably get away without them, however there are two advantages. For starters, your hands are more covered. Two, you improve your grip on the wrench, which makes it simpler to loosen the necessary parts.
Step 5: Tighten the Nuts
- You are now on the verge of completing the job.
- Thus, the basin wrench is required to tighten the nuts present at the faucet’s base.
- Later, the nuts may get dislodged, enabling water to seep in slowly.
- Likewise, if you lack a basin wrench, anyone can purchase it from a home improvement store.
- With the help of a basin wrench, grasp the nuts and gently apply pressure to adjust them.
- You don’t have to overtighten them, however you do want to ensure they are secure.
- The very last point you need to do is strengthen them just to have the leaks return due to insufficient tightness.
Step 6: Check for Leaks
- After fastening any loose nuts, it’s essential to reassemble everything.
- Rejoin your water system valves, ensuring they are securely fastened once again.
- Next, open the faucet and check for any leakage from the base.
- If you are not able to see any water leaks, your task is complete.
Also read: How to fix a leaky shower faucet
Also read: How to fix a leaky bathtub faucet
Video Guide: How to Tighten Moen Kitchen Faucet Base
How to tighten a Moen Kitchen Faucet Handle
Whenever water begins to spill from your Moen faucet and the base is not the issue, the handle will be the next thing to examine.
Sometimes, a loose handle may be the source of the problem. The best part is that repairing it is exactly as simple as repairing the base.
Step 1: Cut off the water supply
- Make a clean sweep of the area around the sink and shut off the water supply.
- It is identical to the procedure outlined before and will prevent water from messing with your job.
Step 2: Remove the hex nut
- Examine the faucet to see which part is malfunctioning.
- This is when the faucet’s style becomes important.
- The hex nut or screw should be removed.
- If you check within the handle of your faucet, you may discover a screw or hex nut.
- You should carefully pry it out with a mini-knife or screwdriver.
- Due to the fact that these screws are often composed of plastic, you must be careful.
- This will take no more than 2 minutes.
Step 3:Tighten the Screw
- Incase you do not see the setscrew in that location, look under the cap.
- To remove the screw from this location, you will need the help of an Allen wrench.
- The most commonly required size is a 3/32″ Allen wrench. The most difficult aspect is probably finding the main screw.
- Adjust the screw. As soon as you locate the screw, tighten it by twisting your wrench clockwise.
- Ensure that it is tight. You should also avoid overtightening.
- Rejoin the supply of water. Rejoin and check your water supply valves.
How do you remove a moen faucet handle?
If you suspect a more serious problem, you may need to completely remove the faucet before attempting to repair it.
However, disconnecting the faucet is fairly straightforward process and requires even less materials.
Everything you want is a screwdriver, a wrench, and a pair of needle-nose pliers to unscrew your Moen faucet.
Incase you do not already own these equipment, it is a wise idea to get it for a variety of ordinary tasks around your home.
Step 1: Cut off the water supply
- Just like with strengthening the base or handle. Ensure that both lines are turned off.
Step 2: Empty the Pipe
- Open your faucet to see whether there is any water within. Allow it to drain completely before dismantling.
Step 3: Take out the handle
- Take off the handle.
- Release the handle with the help of your screwdriver and afterwards remove the setscrew that secures it to the faucet.
- Once you have properly loosened it, the handle might come free.
Step 4: Remove the Cartridge
- Once the handle is removed, a dome will appear.
- You can simply glide it out, next rotate the black jacket till it releases.
- From this point on, all that’s left are screws and loose pieces.
- Disconnect the spout by unscrewing the handle, detaching the ring and the washer, and then pulling it out.
- Next, using your pliers, take out the cartridge to ensure that the faucet has been entirely removed.
Also read: Install outside faucet with PEX
Conclusion
Whenever you understand how to tighten a loose moen single handle kitchen faucet, you won’t have to worry about anything coming loose in your faucet.
You may not be feeling confident right now, but I want to tell you that it is really simple to do this task.
As well as the experience itself, will be enjoyable in its own right.
I hope you liked this post.
Related Questions
1. Why does my kitchen faucet keep coming loose?
One of the most frequent causes of a loose kitchen faucets is improper tightening of nuts. The faucet head and base are secured together by a nut. It is generally situated at the bottom of the mount. Its thread will wear down over the course of time.
2. How do I find the Moen faucet model number?
Your box or instruction sheet will contain the precise model number. If somehow, the family series number is unknown, it can be found on the backside of the spout.
3. Where do the O rings go on a Moen kitchen faucet?
Underneath the faucet assembly, you will find O-rings. Detach the screw that secures the handle cover on your Moen faucet using a screwdriver. Otherwise, remove the handle cap away from the faucet using a flat head screwdriver.
