How to Open a Faucet With an Allen Wrench

When you need to either service or change out a faucet, you must first open the faucet up by removing the water control handle. All water control handles are anchored to the faucet with a small screw, called a set screw, which you must remove before attempting to remove the handle. Depending on the faucet, some have set screws that require a Phillips screwdriver for removal, while others have a screw that requires an Allen wrench to remove the screw.

Allen wrench
Penetrating lubricant
Handle puller

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the water going to the faucet before you begin removing any parts from the faucet. Close the house’s main water valve, and then turn on another faucet to release the leftover water pressure from the pipes.
- 2
  Locate the set screw that holds the faucet’s handle in place. The screw may be on the side of the handle, near its base or where it connects to the faucet, or it may be under a cap in the middle of the handle.
- 3
  Insert an Allen wrench that fits snugly into the opening in the screw’s head. Turn the Allen wrench and the screw counterclockwise to remove it from the faucet’s handle, being careful to not drop the screw down the drain.
- 4
  Spray penetrating lubricant onto the screw if it does not turn easily. Wait at least 10 minutes, and then turn the screw using the Allen wrench. Pull the handle off the faucet by pulling it away from the faucet assembly.
- 5
  Clamp a handle puller’s arms around the handle, if the handle does not slide off the faucet easily. Turn the center post in the handle puller clockwise, continuing until the tool pulls the handle off the faucet.

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