Skip to main content
Stesso
Project

Remove handle — Remove Old Faucet Handles and Escutcheon

Beginner4 hours

Part of project

Tub Faucet & Shower Valve Replacement: A Complete DIY Guide · Step 2 of 6

Helpful?

In this video

Use an Allen wrench to remove the screw holding the handle in place. Carefully pry off the decorative cap covering the screw with a small screwdriver or a sharp pick. Gently lift the handle off the faucet.

Goal: Access internal faucet components.

  • Be careful not to scratch the faucet finish when removing the handle. Use metric Allen wrenches if standard sizes don't fit.

Used in this video

  • Allen wrench (Allen Wrench/Hex Key: Various sizes) — Removing the handle screw
  • Screwdriver (Screwdriver_Type: Flathead) — Removing the cap
102.1K views5715 minutes
This Old House

2.2M subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

What should I do if I can't find or turn off the main water supply to my house or apartment?

Locating and shutting off the main water supply is the most critical first step. If you can't find it, check your water heater for a shut-off valve, or contact your building manager or a professional plumber. Do not proceed with the project until the water supply is completely off to avoid significant water damage.

Besides the screwdriver and adjustable wrench, are there any other essential supplies or tools I might need for this tub faucet replacement?

Yes, it's highly recommended to have plumber's tape (Teflon tape) for sealing threads, penetrating oil for loosening stuck or corroded old parts, and a small wire brush for cleaning debris. You might also find a basin wrench helpful for reaching nuts in tight spaces behind the tub wall.

I've replaced everything and turned the water back on, but the faucet is still leaking. What should I check first?

First, re-check that the new valve stems are fully seated and securely tightened, but not overtightened. Ensure all O-rings are correctly positioned and intact, as a misplaced or damaged O-ring is a common cause of leaks. Also, verify that the connections to the water supply lines are tight and sealed with plumber's tape.

Is 4 hours a realistic estimate for a complete beginner, or should I budget more time, especially if I encounter stuck parts?

While 4 hours is a good estimate for someone with some DIY experience and no major issues, a complete beginner should budget more, perhaps 6-8 hours. Encountering corroded or stuck parts, or making unexpected trips to the hardware store for forgotten items, can significantly extend the project time.

Transcript
Hide

just to be safe um i need two allen wrenches i actually had to go and buy some metric ones um so i needed uh three and a two and a half so hopefully those will work for you as well um the way that this is gonna work is we're gonna come over here and right underneath here you can kind of see this uh this little like sticker thing um plug maybe and we're gonna just kind of use a small um i got a little jeweler set screwdriver to help me get that out i'm just going to very gently so i don't scratch the black um kind of pop that out all right so i got that that little piece out it's a little black thing um and if you look back in there you'll see that there's a little tiny screw and this is where your two and a half allen wrench is going to work so i'm just going to get that back in there and pull that screw out screws out so i'm just going to lift gently on the handle here it'll pop right off you can see that the screw kind of fell right in there so i'll get that out i can there we go and here's the top of your

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.