Removing faucet handles requires simple tools.
You may want to remove the handles of your faucet for any number of reasons. First and foremost is to get access to the cartridge underneath it, which controls water flow. When leaks or poor performance is an issue, the cartridge needs replacing. Decorative handles also need replacing if they damage or tarnish.
Single-handle Kitchen Faucets
A single-handle kitchen faucet has one handle on top of the base. This handle lifts to operate the cartridge underneath, opening the cold water valve. It turns to open the hot water valve. To remove it, there is a small screw at the base of the handle. Sometimes it is located near the back of the handle and sometimes it is along the front side. Turn this screw counterclockwise with an Allen wrench and remove it. Next, lift the handle up and off the stem of the faucet by hand. It will slide right off. Prying is not required, unless the handle is stuck.
Double-handle Kitchen Faucets
Removing the handle on a double-handle kitchen faucet is similar. First, choose which handle you want to remove. Second, take off the plastic cap or guard on the top center of the handle, and unscrew the screw sitting beneath this cap with an Allen wrench. Finally, lift the handle off by hand. These handles also slide right off. They are connected to a cartridge stem, which is part of the faucet's cartridge.
Single Lever Bath and Tub Faucets
A single-handle bath faucet is similar to a single-handle kitchen faucet with one big difference: the set screw is sometimes located underneath a cover on top of the handle. If you do not find a hole for a set screw along the base of the faucet, pry off the plastic cover on top, the screw is located there. Unscrew this screw with an Allen wrench and take it off. More decorative single-handle bath faucets with levers for handles are different. Turn the entire lever counterclockwise to unscrew it, or find the set screw on top of the lever itself, and unscrew this to pull the handle off.
Double-handle Bath Sink Faucets
A double-handle bath faucet is also simple to remove. The set screw is usually underneath the cover on the top of the faucet handle. After prying this cover off, remove the screw and pull up on the handle. If the double handles are levers, there may be a plug on the end of the levers. Pry this out and you will find the set screw under it. If there is no set screw, twist the levers counterclockwise and take them off. Or, unscrew the bottom base of the handle by rotating it counterclockwise and pull the entire handle and base off the sink by hand.
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