How To Tighten Kitchen Faucet Nut Under The Sink?

Due to continuous usage of the kitchen faucet, there is a very high probability or possibility that the nuts can quickly get loose. This results in leakage and other problems in the pipes. As a house owner, it becomes essential to check such kinds of issues regularly.

Most of the time, the probability of something wrong with the kitchen faucet is very high compared to your home’s other taps, plumbing systems, faucets, etc. This is not only because of continuous usage but also because of the food waste and the other particles that continuously pass through the pipe. That is why it becomes essential for the house owner not to discard “everything” in the sink because it is playing with the pipe’s durability. In this article, we will discuss certain steps that will help you tighten the kitchen faucet nuts present under the sink. Make sure that you read this article carefully to solve your issue.

What Equipment Do You Require to Perform This Process?

Plumbing problems are the most common problems in every house. But the real problem is hiring a plumber for such an easy task can be very expensive. But with the help of the necessary tools at your house, you can quickly fix every plumbing system problem.

(Kindly note we are not talking about the leakage issues or the old pipes issues that create structural damage to your buildings. We are also talking about the everyday leakage issues common in every house. For example, tightening the kitchen faucet, leakage from the pipe near the sink, etc. )

Before jumping into the main topic, it is essential to know the necessary tools you may require. Therefore you can collect them beforehand instead of getting up and searching for everything.

As mentioned in this article, we will discuss tightening tap faucets which require specific essential tools. Below is the list of all the tools that you may need to do this job:

  • The most helpful plumbing tool: A basin wrench.
  • The flashlight or a headlamp
  • A towel
  • Safety goggles

Also Read About: How to Install an Under Sink Water Filter in 10 Easy Steps

How To Tighten Kitchen Faucet Nut Under The Sink?

In this section, we will discuss the issue’s main details. We will follow a step-by-step procedure to make it simple for you to understand. Below is the list of all the steps that you are going to discuss in detail in this article:

  • Step 1: Clean the space under the sink
  • Step 2:  Get a torch
  • Step 3:  Look out for other tools
  • Step 4:  The real work begins

So, now its time to discuss these steps in detail:

Step 1. Clean the Space Under the Sink

Clean the Space Under the Sink

We all have noticed a tiny space under the sink. We all have this problem of placing detergent bottles, dusting cloth, etc., under the sink. So as the first step, you must remove all the unnecessary equipment you have kept behind the sink.

Step 2. Get a Torch

Get a Torch

The underneath part of the sink is dark because the light cannot reach there. So ensure you have a head lump or a simple flashlight that will do all the work. You can also use your phone to do this but make sure that the phone is waterproof. It would help if you also had some safety eyewear so the dirty water cannot drip into your eyes.

Step 1. Look Out for Other Tools

Look Out for Other Tools

We also discussed in the other article that having some basic plumbing tools is essential. It is because they can always help you in any emergency. The basin wrench is one of the most widely used tools and one of the most special plumbing tools. If you don’t know what it is, this tool will have a long handle and tee at one end to give you an overview. Another end of this equipment will have an adjustable wrench to help you create a grip. This tee will help you to grab the nut to follow the procedure tightly.

If you don’t have it, we recommend ordering it online, or you can easily find it in hardware stores. It is very cheap, and you can get one for $15. You don’t have to invest in a fancy or expensive version of this equipment or a tool because all have the same function. The only difference is in their material and the shininess.

Step 4. The Real Work Begins

The Real Work Begins

Grab the long handle and place it on the nut. Try to grab the nut with its one end and rotate it with the help of your wrist. Apply sufficient force that will lose the nuts, but ensure you are not pressing or turning it hard, resulting in a sprain in your wrist. You can use a port at the ends to hold the forces. The compatibility with the ends or wrench varies from one person to another, so make sure you try from both ends. Now slowly rotate the handle to tighten the faucet.

The above four steps will help tighten the faucet quickly. Ensure you keep your tools secure, as they can solve most of your plumbing problems in no time. Also, ensure you run the tap water momentarily to check if the work is successfully accomplished.

If you see that the problem is solved, you can keep all the equipment behind the sink that you might have removed in step one. Still, if you feel a problem there is a leak, repeat the procedure carefully.

Pro Tip

The majority of the house owners do not have a basin wrench.

You can also use zip-tie equipment as a substitute. It is another essential household item to prevent you from buying zip-tie equipment. This is also one of the most common pieces of equipment and can be found in houses, or you can ask your neighbors. If you have a zip tie in your home, you don’t have to go and buy the basin wrench because this will do all the work. As an ending note, we recommend you always keep specific plumbing tools in your house because they are of great use and can solve most of the issues. This will not only save you time in contacting or finding a suitable plumber, but it will also help you to save more money.

If you are finding a temporary solution to your problem, then duct tape can save you from finding the tools or collecting them. To use duct tape, you generally have to tighten the nut with the help of your fingers, so make sure you are pulling and twisting the knob as tightly as possible. Now with your hands, use duct tape and further tighten it. To do so, if possible, a 12-inch piece of tape is wrapped around the nut while extending it like a tale. Now slowly rotate it clockwise until you feel that the nut is tightening. Ensure that you are hearing the voices and observing the process because, without that, you will not even feel like there is a change in your nut or knob.

Also Read:- How to Install an Under Sink Water Filter in 10 Easy Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have regular issues with kitchen faucets?

This is one of the most common problems house owners face. This issue is widespread because of the continuous usage of kitchen sinks and the passage of food particles under your pipe. As a tip, we recommend using a strainer in your sink because it will help prevent food particles’ passage.

Is it mandatory to use a basin wrench?

A basin wrench is essential because you cannot tighten the nut with your hands. The basin wrench helps you tightly grab the nut to tighten it. You can buy this product for $15  from a nearby hardware shop or order it online.

Why is it essential to fix the faucet?

It is essential because it will lose considerable water and a 24* 7 leakage. Another option to prevent leakage is switching off the main water supply. The only problem is that you must switch on the main water supply when you want to use it again. So it’s better to fix the faucet in one go,  which is not only budget-friendly but it will save a lot of time.

Conclusion

We all know the situation very well and how irritating it is when there is a leakage from the faucets. This is one of the most common issues faced by the house owner. Generally, it happens with kitchen faucets because of their continuous use and the passage of food particles into the sink. To solve this issue, ensure you have an essential tool, i.e., a basin wrench. This is one of the most helpful tools, which comes with a long handle and has two wrenches at both ends. The ends will help you to tightly grasp the nut to tighten it by rotating the wrist. This is a straightforward process, and you will not require professional help. We hope you have understood the whole procedure and can do it yourself! So all the best with your task. We hope you conquer it!