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Disassemble Faucet Handle — Remove the Old Delta Shower Handle

Beginner45 mins

Part of project

Delta Shower Handle Replacement: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 2 of 4

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In this video

Using a small flathead screwdriver, carefully pry off the decorative cap from the end of the faucet handle. With the cap removed, use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the retaining screw located inside. If the handle is seized on, you can use two spanners as levers behind the handle to gently pry it off. Once the handle is off, unscrew the chrome decorative shroud by hand to expose the valve cartridge.

Goal: Faucet Repair (Handle Replacement)

Used in this video

  • Screwdriver (brand: Unspecified, Tool Type: Screwdriver, Power Source: Manual, Screwdriver_Type: Flathead) — Prying off the decorative cap and removing the handle's retaining screw.
  • Screwdriver (brand: Unspecified, Tool Type: Screwdriver, Power Source: Manual, Screwdriver_Type: Phillips) — Removing the handle's retaining screw.
  • Spanner (brand: Draper, Tool Type: Wrench) · optional — Providing leverage to remove a stuck faucet handle.
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FAQs

Do I need the specific Milwaukee screwdriver mentioned, or will any flathead and Phillips head screwdriver work for this project?

While the Milwaukee screwdriver is a good quality tool, any standard flathead and Phillips head screwdriver of the appropriate size will work. Ensure the screwdriver tip matches the screw head size to prevent stripping the screws during removal or installation, which is a common issue.

What should I do if I can't shut off the water supply to just the shower, or if water continues to drip after shutting it off?

If you can't isolate the shower's water supply, you'll need to turn off the main water supply to your entire house, usually found near the water meter or main shut-off valve. If water still drips after turning off the supply, double-check that the valve is fully closed. For persistent drips, you might need to address the shut-off valve itself or consult a plumber before proceeding.

My old Delta handle's screw cover is stuck or won't come off easily. How can I remove it without causing damage?

Often, old screw covers can be stiff due to mineral buildup. Try gently prying around the edges with a thin, flat tool like a plastic putty knife or the edge of a flathead screwdriver wrapped in painter's tape to avoid scratching. If it's still stuck, a small amount of penetrating lubricant applied carefully around the edge might help loosen it, but wipe away any excess immediately.

Is 45 minutes a realistic time estimate for a complete beginner, or should I budget more time for this Delta handle replacement?

The 45-minute estimate is generally realistic for someone with basic DIY skills and the right tools on hand. However, as a complete beginner, it's wise to budget an hour or two. This allows for potential issues like stuck screws, locating your main water shut-off, or needing extra time to review instructions carefully.

Transcript
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Well whichever one you have the problem with. So using a flathead screwdriver just not pop the end off, put it to the side and using a screwdriver just remove the end cap screw. Now the screws off, you may have a problem if your taps have been there for kind of a while to get the tap end off. Well this is just a tip how to get the tap off if you find it hard to pull off like that. So it should be as easy as that, but if it's not just for the simple tip, get two spanners, just point behind the tap end and fit them both on either side. So you're going to do, you've got both ends of the spanners and slightly push the end off the tap and that's what's happening. So that's just a simple way of getting the tap off the end and yeah it doesn't do that much damage, it can cover the end if you want to, but the easy way of getting the tap off the end if you haven't had time. So we have the taps off and do the cover and you left with the valve itself.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.