I have a shower faucet handle that is leaking hot water. When I tried to remove the screw inside the handle, I stripped it (probably because it was totally rusted). I have tried the extractor thing, and the dremel thing, and the bigger screw driver thing- it will not move. I am afraid to drill it out because it is screwed into my plumbing. Help!!

The only other thing you may end up having to do is cut the head of the screw off then pull the handle off. Also have you tried any products to loosen it? One that stinks but works well is areocroil. Check your automotive or hardware store. If you can get the head off the screw then the handle should pull off leaving a slight shaft for you to grab onto to remove the screw.

I have seen this even at Walgreens and ACE Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls - Grabit Screw Removal System

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by califdadof3

The only other thing you may end up having to do is cut the head of the screw off then pull the handle off. Also have you tried any products to loosen it? One that stinks but works well is areocroil. Check your automotive or hardware store. If you can get the head off the screw then the handle should pull off leaving a slight shaft for you to grab onto to remove the screw.

---

I tried CLR to remove all of the calcium deposits then later I tried WD40, but I will try the areocroil too, I had not even heard of it before. Im not even sure if I could cut the head off since it is completely flush with the inside of the handle- it's one of those that have the clear plastic button that hides the screw inside, so its hard to get behind it. If you have any ideas on how to do that, just in case the areocroil doesn't work, please let me know. Thanks for the advice! Wish me luck!

Is this a single handle faucet?

If 2 handle faucet, u can replace valve.

Once u get handle off, u will have to remove valve to replace washer.

If unable to remove screw and have to drill it out, replace valve with new one.

Check valve seat before putting valve back in. U can do this with finger. It should be smooth. If not it will have to be replced also.

Good luck

Chuck

Can you post a picture of your faucet?

The worst scenario will be like Creahand says to drill the screw head that you be able to remove the handle once the handle is removed, remove the stem or the cartridge depends on your faucet, now get a new handle and a replacement stem or cartridge, good luck.

John

Turn the water off. Tighten a pair of vise-grip pliers around the handle itself and turn
Using considerable force in the water off direction (clockwise) until the screw breaks off.
Replace the washer and put the handle back on without the screw.If you need to secure the
Handle screw once again a new cartridge will be required.It works!
John R

Hi Longhorn and welcome to the Plumbing pageat at AskMeHelpDesk.com. You piggybacked on an a 2 year old dead thread. In the future, before you post, look in the upper left hand corner for the date.
Thanks for your input. Hope to see more of you in the future. Tom

@senior plumbing expert, I for one was very thankful for longhorns answer as it was the only one that worked. In the future please keep in mind that this page comes up when people search Google for this specific answer, and that no time limit or statute of limitations applies to things like plumbing questions.

And welcome to you evilswa! Why jump on my case when I agreed and thanked longhorns for his input, Part of my job, as well as answering questions is to help moderate the site, That consists of clearing off clutter, I realize old posts are helpful but why not start a new thread instead of dragging up a old thread with a zillion posts along with it. You've read the thread and got the information or solution. Use that in a new thread instead of cluttering up the page with a 5 year old thread with a bunch of posts

Does that really work by twisting the handle clockwise until it breaks? I am afraid to try it in fear of doing more damage. I have the same problem and may I also add, piggybacking an answer is what I got on the 4th choice on Google. Both answers to piggybacking made sense so move on... helped me! Thx!

I for one is having the same trouble as the original person that posted. Thank you Longhorn, if it wasn't for this I would not have gotten off my handle :)