...I don't know if there are any plumbers or handymen on the board, but I figured I would describe a problem I have been having with a bathroom sink faucet to try to get some helpful advice. Long story/"kinda" short: We have a Delta two-handle, wide spread faucet. (Model -35741-DST) in our bathroom. We purchased it about 2-2.5 years ago, so it is relatively new. It worked great for about the first year-1.5 years we had it, but then I noticed something "funny" occurring with the hot and cold water faucet handles. Both the hot and cold handles started giving me trouble when I attempted to turn them on and off. They started to become "stiff" and required more force than usual just to move them. Their range of motion also significantly decreased. They went from having a full, "easy" range of motion when the faucet was first installed, to having about a 30-40% range of motion, as a result of the "stiffness" when they are turned. It has gotten so bad, that now, when I apply the force that is now necessary to actually move each handle to turn the cold and hot water on, the entire base of each faucet handle moves (as opposed to just the handle moving by itself, which is obviously supposed to be the case). So basically, I have two faucet handles which, when turned on and off, cause their respective bases to swivel back and forth on my bathroom sink countertop. Does anyone know what could be causing this, and if it can be easily fixed OR if it is just a sign of a defective faucet that needs to be replaced? I would appreciate any helpful advice or info.from anyone who might have any ide as to what is going on with my bathroom faucet. Thanks.
Not sure what that would be from but I'd take the handles off and see if there's a build up of corrosion or something underneath causing them to bind up. Next step would be to call Delta and explain it to them. Their customer service is really good; they recently sent me guts for a faucet that's been here at least fifteen years.
First figure out the model faucet you have, email delta and ask for replacement cartridges as they should be under warranty. When you replace the cartridges make sure put an adequate amount of silicone based grease. You'll also need to tighten the nut that holds the base of the handle, it sounds like you have a widespread faucet where the handles are not actually part of the faucet base. Like this. The handles being separate from the spout means they loosen up a lot quicker than faucets that are all one unit. The problem with them being harder to turn is likely a combination of calcium build up, lack of lubricant and the fact the base is loose. To tighten the base of the handle you will likely need a basin wrench since there is usually not enough room to get a normal wrench up to the nut that holds the base on. This is what a basin wrench looks like, many people will go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy the wrench to use and then return it as they don't need to keep one around. You can just take out the existing cartridge, clean it up, lube it and tighten the base. If you do that instead of a new cartridge then at least get new o rings for it before putting it back together.
