You can’t go wrong with the Delta brand when looking for a reliable, high-quality faucet handle. Delta faucets are known for their durability and performance. As a result, many homeowners who want to enjoy a long-lasting, leak-free experience prefer them over other brands.
But what if you have a leaking delta bathroom faucet? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! You probably just need to replace the cartridge valve or gaskets around it.
We’ll show you how to remove your handle and get to that cartridge valve on your own in less than 5 minutes. We’ll also tell you which Allen wrench to use so that you can finish this project in no time flat!
What Size Allen Wrench for a Delta Shower Handle?
When removing a Delta shower handle, you’ll need to use an Allen wrench—a hexagonal-shaped tool used for loosening or tightening screws. You can find these in any hardware store or online.
If you’re working with a Delta faucet, use a 3/32″ Imperial (or 2mm) Allen key, which should fit into the hex screw. Turn it counterclockwise to remove it.
The best way to get at those screws is with an Allen key with an L-shaped end. The short end of this tool will help you reach into tight spots where other tools might not fit.
If you don’t have an L-shaped Allen key, try using a folding set of Allen keys. You might have to rotate the handle slightly to get at the screw, but this method should do fine in most cases!
Things You’ll Need
This fix is quick and easy, but it requires some tools you probably already have in your toolbox. Luckily, we’ve made this list for you so you can get back to enjoying your shower as soon as possible!
You’ll need the following tools:
- Allen wrench (3/32″)
- Needle Nose pliers
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Towel
Protect your workspace and keep small pieces from falling into your sink. Cover the sink with a towel before you begin. Find some sort of lighting source so you can see what’s going on inside the faucet handle while you’re working on it.
How To Remove a Delta Faucet Handle: Single-Handle Style
Delta single-handle faucets have a ball valve regulating water flow from hot to cold. When the handle turns, it moves a rod that opens or closes this valve.
When you want to remove the handle for repair or replacement, start by turning off the hot and cold water supply lines at their respective valves. Before performing any plumbing repair, cover drains with towels to keep parts from falling into them.
Locate the handle set screw, which you can find below the faucet handle. Next, remove any cap covering the set screw (if there is no set screw, follow our guide to removing tub spouts). Next, unscrew the screw using an Allen wrench. If you don’t have a 3/32″ Allen wrench, then a 1/8″ one might work. It’ll be a little small and require extra effort, but it will still get the job done.
To remove a Delta single-handle faucet:
- Turn the chrome housing counterclockwise until you can slide it off.
- Lift the white plastic shield and slide it off the handle.
- Remove the stickball assembly by pulling up on it.
- Pull out the ball valve by lifting it.
You have now successfully removed your Delta single-handle faucet.
How To Remove a Delta Faucet Handle: Double-Handle Style
The process of removing a Delta two-handle faucet is similar to that of removing a single-handle faucet.
You can usually find the screw under or around the handle’s curve. First, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the rubber plug covering the screw. Then use an Allen wrench to loosen and remove the set screw altogether.
If you can’t see a rubber plug, the screw might be hidden inside the handle. Look for seams along its edge and use a flathead screwdriver to pry them apart.
Carefully pry apart the pieces and lift the lid to remove them, taking care not to warp or damage them.
The screw is usually located underneath the cap or plug. Once you’ve exposed it, use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove it—this should allow you to easily pull off the entire handle for replacement or repair.
Where Is the Set Screw?
If you’re working on your Delta shower handle, the set screw that holds it in place can be hard to find. The Delta set screws are hidden behind a cap underneath the lever handle.
Pry off that cap with a flathead screwdriver before removing the set screw underneath. Once you’ve removed the cap, look for a small threaded hole to insert your Allen wrench.
On Delta kitchen faucets, the screws that hold the handles in place are located underneath and face away from you. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the cap so you can access and loosen the set screw.
A Delta bathroom faucet handle set screw is a small piece of hardware that can easily fall down the drain. Therefore, it’s essential to turn off the water before servicing, close the drain, and put down a towel so you don’t lose pieces down the drain.
What Should I Do If The Set Screw Doesn’t Turn?
If you’ve removed the cap, located the set screw, and inserted a key that fits into it—and still can’t turn it—apply more pressure to get things moving. But be careful not to force it; if you do, you could strip the screw.
The small Allen key can break if you’re not careful while trying to loosen a screw. If it breaks off inside the set screw, pry off the handle with a hammer or crowbar. It’ll be unusable after that point anyway, so it doesn’t matter how much force you use. You’ll have to replace the whole faucet then.
If applying more gentle pressure doesn’t make the screw budge, use your can of WD-40 to saturate the threads and let it set for at least five minutes. Then try putting the Allen wrench on that bad boy again!
If it still won’t budge, apply a few more squirts of WD-40 and wait another 10 minutes before trying again.
What if There Is No Set Screw?
If you cannot find a cap and set screw on your Delta bathroom faucet, you haven’t lost your mind. Delta makes some single-handle bathroom faucets that don’t have a set screw. They’re called “Push-Fit Handles.”
Delta Push-Fit Handles can be removed and replaced quickly. First, align the handle with the spot on your faucet body. Then, pull on the handle straight away from your faucet body.
When removing the handle from a side-mounted handle, pull off to that side. When removing an upward-facing handle, pull upward.
To replace a Delta Push-Fit Handle, align the hole in the base of the handle with the valve stem in the faucet and push it down.
Are Delta Faucet Replacement Parts Universal?
Only Delta faucet parts will fit into your Delta faucets. If you need to buy a part, make sure it’s from Delta—their certified retailers sell their products at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, or Home Depot.
If you can’t locate the serial or model number for your exact Delta faucet, it might be best to call a professional. You’ll save yourself time and money by leaving this kind of work up to experts.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve gone over what size Allen Wrench for Delta bathroom shower handle you’ll need, we hope this article helped you understand how to remove and repair a Delta faucet handle.
If your faucet leaks, you may need to replace the cartridge valve or gaskets around the valve. Contact a professional plumber for assistance if you have any questions or concerns.
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