It is very important to know the type of Allen wrench that best fits your faucet, especially when removing or installing the Delta faucets. A good example would be the; Delta Faucet RP26853 Allen Wrench for 3/32-Inch.
Removing a Delta Kitchen Faucet Handle (No Screws)
For Delta faucets, the handle or the knob contains a cap that is situated at the base of the faucet. Remove the cap with a small screwdriver. Proceed to remove the screw using an Allen wrench. remove the Delta faucet handle using your hand or a pair of pliers if it is stuck in place.
How to Remove a Delta Faucet Handle with an Allen Wrench
This particular section will focus on those Delta faucets that contain set screws:
1. Shut off the main water supply. Turn the hot and cold water valves clockwise.
2. Use a 1/8” Allen wrench to insert into the set screw. The set screw is usually located at the base of the Delta faucet handle.
The Delta faucets consist of either a ball valve or a cartridge valve. Whenever a Delta faucet leaks, it can be quite easy to fix the problem. You can replace the valve or gaskets and remove the handle.
How to Locate the Delta Set Screw
If the Delta faucet handle fails to come off on its own, loosen the set screws that are used to secure it to the valve stem. The Delta set screw is usually obstructed by a decorative cap. Find the cap first before finding the set screw.
If your faucet has a lever-style handle, the set screw should be under the lever.
Some of the Delta kitchen faucets that are upscale have a screw on the side of the handle cover. The handle cover usually faces the back wall each time that the faucet is turned off. This fact alone makes it complicated since you will be required to shut off the water, rotate the handle, and access the Delta set screw to remove it. Either way, you will still need to do that if you are servicing the valve.
Once you have located the cap, it may look difficult to remove but no worries; you will just require a flathead screwdriver to pry it off. Be careful at this stage since the cap is small and can fall and get lost down the drain.
The Right Allen Wrench
Delta has gone further in providing a 3/32” hex wrench and you will require that very size of an Allen key to turn one. Meaning if you go poking around in the standard 1/8” key that most homeowners have in their toolset, then it won’t fit well with the hex wrench.
Another item that can do the job well would be the folding set of metric Allen keys that is approximately 2.5 millimetres. The Allen keys are distinguished by their L-shape. Whereby, the short part of the “L” is designed to fit in tight places. You need to rotate your Delta faucet to be able to get the key inside the hole if the type of Allen key set you have is foldable.
The problem mentioned above mostly occurs with the Delta single-handle faucets and there are high chances that you may rotate using too much force. It is important to remember to rotate the faucet back into its initial position when you are done with it. If your Delta faucet does not budge, then you have to put the folding Allen key set away and proceed to the hardware store to purchase another key that is the right size for your faucet.
When the Delta Set Screw Fails to Turn
Cut the handle off and then use a crowbar to pry off the set screw. There are high chances that you will have to replace your Delta faucet with a new one.
Remove the Allen key set and then insert the red spray tube of WD-40 inside the opening of the screw opening and then give the screw a few squirts. Wait for about five minutes and then try removing the screw one more time. If you have no luck with this, spray on the screw a couple more times and then wait another five minutes.