How to Make A Faucet Handle Turn The Other Direction

Regardless of whether it is hot or cold, the traditional faucet always opens counterclockwise. As the saying goes, “lefty loosey, righty tighty”. Just like a screw, turn to the left to loosen, and turn to the right to tighten. However, the problem arises when the two faucet handle runs in the opposite direction of one another. To fix it, it is recommended to reverse the faucet handle direction. Now let’s start the detailed guide on how to make a faucet handle turn the other direction.

Required tools to reverse the faucet handle direction

• Screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench or slip-joint pliers
• Allen wrench (optional)
• Towel

Detailed steps of how to reverse the faucet handle direction

First of all, you need to turn off the hot and cold water supply to the faucet you are dealing with in question. Verify that the water is turned off by turning the heating and cooling knobs and checking the water flow. Once you confirm that the water will not surprise you halfway through the project, you can start.

Put a towel on the bottom of the sink to prevent loose parts from escaping from the drain. Remove the decorative button or cover from the faucet. Use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to remove the screw that secures the handle to the cartridge rod. The fixing screws may also be distributed near the base of the handle. After removing the screws, remove the handle.

Use sliding joint pliers or adjustable wrench to loosen and remove the cartridge fixing nut. Grasp the stem and gently shake it out of the faucet valve body.

Now, rotate the ink cartridge 180 degrees. There are two labels on the side of the ink cartridge. Align these two tabs with the grooves in the lip of the valve body. Gently insert the ink cartridge back into place.

After reinstalling the valve core into the valve body, screw on the retaining ring and tighten it with an adjustable wrench or sliding joint pliers, reinstall the handle on the valve core stem, and then fix it in place with screws. Press the decorative cover firmly into place to replace the decorative cover.

Now that you have completed your project, it is time to see if your efforts are effective. Check whether your labor is successful by turning on the hot and cold water supply, and check whether the handle or lever is working properly. Verify that the handle is turned in the desired direction. If so, congratulations, you have solved this problem!

Bottom Line

You can easily apply these techniques whenever you encounter problems with the direction of the faucet handle. A guide on how to turn the faucet handle in another direction will help you solve the problem.

However, if you are using an old version of the faucet handle with a seat instead of the cartridge, you must replace them. Otherwise, you will not be able to reorient its rotation direction correctly. In addition, you can consider turning its threads in the direction you want. If it doesn’t work, replacing the faucet handle is your last choice.