Repairing Guides

how to repair a leaking frost proof faucet

by Myron Hand Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How do you stop a freeze proof faucet from leaking?

If the faucet leaks from around the handle just when the water is turned on, the stem packing may be leaking. In some cases, you can fix this by simply tightening the retaining nut that's under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Try tightening the nut slightly (Photo 1).

Can a frost proof faucet be repaired?

Turn off the water to the exterior faucet by locating the valve inside the house and closing it (or the main water valve). Buy a repair kit that matches your faucet brand and use the packing from the kit. If your faucet still leaks, the stem may be leaking and you should replace the faucet.

How do you fix a leaking anti frost valve?

2:4416:09How To Fix a Leaking Frost Proof Faucet | DIY Plumbing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPliers. See how this is designed like this stick your needle nose pliers in there and twist. It justMorePliers. See how this is designed like this stick your needle nose pliers in there and twist. It just like anything else lefty loosey righty tighty undo it.

How do you fix a frost free Sillcock outdoor faucet?

0:003:02Fixing Faucets : How to Repair a Leak in a Frost-Proof Water FaucetYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost all of them have the same type of screw Center screw there are many different varieties ofMoreMost all of them have the same type of screw Center screw there are many different varieties of faucets remove your handle. Next you'll have a packing nut remove your packing nut.

How do you disassemble a frost free faucet?

0:052:55Frost Free Faucet Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWork around the outer diameter of the packing material. Until it dislodges. And comes out place theMoreWork around the outer diameter of the packing material. Until it dislodges. And comes out place the handle back on the rod without the screw. And turn the handle counterclockwise.

How do I fix a dripping outdoor faucet?

0:312:35How to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake the old washer to a plumbing supply store to make sure you're replacing it with the right oneMoreTake the old washer to a plumbing supply store to make sure you're replacing it with the right one put the new washer back inside the packing nut and retighten.

Why is water coming out of my anti siphon valve?

Debris or something that's gotten stuck in that little plunger, preventing it from seating correctly in the casing, could be the cause of the anti-siphon valve leaking.

How do you fix a leak in a frost free hydrant?

0:432:14How To Adjust Leaking Water Source Frost Proof Yard Hydrant - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you still have a leak turn the water off repeat the loosening of the set screw and again raiseMoreIf you still have a leak turn the water off repeat the loosening of the set screw and again raise the handle five and a half inches or sixty degrees tighten the setscrew. And check for leaks.

Will a leaking outdoor faucet freeze?

Anyone who has ever neglected to unhook the hose from a leaky spigot during the winter probably won't ever forget to do it again. When that happens, water inside the hose can't drain properly and may freeze.

What is the difference between a Sillcock and a spigot?

A sillcock (or hose bib) is an outdoor water faucet that is located and attached to the exterior of a house. Sillcocks are nothing more than spigots that you'll find coming out of your house. They essentially have a spout in which to connect hoses to or just access tap water while outside.

How do you replace a frost proof outdoor faucet?

1:4810:27How Pro Plumbers Replace Frost Proof Faucets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut we can tell that this frost proof is actually screwed in so the good thing is all we're going toMoreBut we can tell that this frost proof is actually screwed in so the good thing is all we're going to have to do is replace this little bit of mortar.

Why did my outside faucet stop working?

If you are still having issues with your outdoor faucet, you may need to call a plumber to investigate the issue further. If the faucet has no water, the issue could be the aerator or the spout inside the faucet. At the bottom of the faucet spout, rubble may get into the filter.

How do you replace an outdoor freeze proof faucet?

2:266:47Outside Faucet Replacement: Frost Free Wall Hydrant - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFill any large gaps with an exterior silicone. And secure with exterior screws. Once the install isMoreFill any large gaps with an exterior silicone. And secure with exterior screws. Once the install is complete I'll go back and apply some finishing silicone.

How do you fix an outside faucet that won't turn on?

1:108:29WATER WON'T COME OUT!...EASY Fix for a Outdoor Water Faucet!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just slap this right. On. Here turn clockwise until it shuts.MoreYou just slap this right. On. Here turn clockwise until it shuts.

How do you rebuild a frost free hydrant?

InstructionsShut off the Water. Shut off the water supply to the hydrant. ... Remove the Hydrant Head. Remove the hydrant head from the standpipe, using two pipe wrenches. ... Remove the Pump Rod. Carefully pull up and remove the long pump rod from inside the standpipe. ... Reassemble the Hydrant. ... Adjust the Shutoff (As Needed)

What does it mean when a faucet is frost proof?

A frost-proof faucet can also have a hidden leak in the valve body. The symptom of this type of leak is reduced water pressure coming from the faucet. First, check to make sure that water pressure in other fixtures is normal, and that only the frost-proof spigot is affected. If the frost-proof faucet is the only one affected, ...

How far back does a frost proof faucet go?

The Design of Frost-Proof Faucets. Frost-proof faucets are designed so that the valve mechanism that seals off the water flow is located a full 12 inches or so back inside the house, away from the exposed exterior portion of the faucet. In older types of faucets, a long valve stem operates a rubber washer that compresses down against ...

Why does my faucet leak?

The symptom of this kind of leak is when closing the handle fails to stop the flow of water , which usually continues to drip or flow in a slow trickle.

Where is the washer on a faucet?

Examing the washer and/or O-rings at the end of the faucet stem and replace them. The washer at the tip of the stem is usually secured by a brass screw. Reassemble the faucet, turn on the water, and test to make sure it no longer leaks. New faucets may use a cartridge mechanism located at the end of the valve stem.

Where is the cartridge located on a faucet?

New faucets may use a cartridge mechanism located at the end of the valve stem. For these, disassemble the faucet, in the same manner, replace the cartridge with an exact duplicate, and reassemble the faucet.

Where is the packing cord on a faucet?

On older faucets that operate with compression washers, there is packing cord wrapped around the handle stem, just beneath the handle's mounting nut. If you see seeping around the threads of the handle mounting nut, this is the likely problem.

Can you replace a hose spigot?

It is sometimes easier, and may even be more cost-effective, to replace the entire faucet if you have difficulty finding replacement parts (which often aren't stocked in consumer-facing stores) for a frost-proof hose spigot. Replacing an entire sillcock or frost-proof hydrant is not a beginner project and is best left to professionals.

How to Repair a Leaky Frost-Proof Faucet

Here are step-by-step instructions for how to repair a frost-proof faucet that’s leaking from a worn-out O-ring or washer.

Final Thoughts

Trust us, repairing a frost-free faucet looks much more complicated than it actually is.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help repairing or installing a frost-proof outdoor faucet.

What is a frost proof faucet?

Frost-Proof faucets, also known as sillcocks, are becoming more popular with homeowners as they eliminate the need for draining and shutting off the water supply to exterior hose bibbs in parts of the country that experience freezing temperatures. That being said, frost-proof faucets are not maintenance-free and a leaking frost-proof faucet can waste a lot of water. Fortunately the repairs are similar to standard faucets where the washer assembly or packing nut is the common culprit, but the frost-proof faucet does have the additional component of a vacuum breaker. You should not have to call a plumber for this repair as long as you can isolate the frost-proof faucet with a shut off valve in the line.

How to fix a leaky vacuum breaker?

Sometimes debris from the inside of the pipe gets trapped in the ports of the vacuum breaker and you may be able to fix the leak by simply cleaning the parts and reinstalling them. If there is excessive scale build up, you are better off replacing the components with a repair kit.

How to remove stem assembly?

To remove the stem assembly, remove the packing or retaining nut and reinstall the handle. Open the valve completely and keep turning so that the threads of the stem exit the valve body. Once the threads are clear, gently pull the handle straight out and the stem assembly should come out easily.

What to do if your faucet starts leaking?

If you find that the faucet starts leaking again after a short time, the valve seat is worn and you should replace the entire frostproof faucet. If the faucet is attached with threads, you can simply turn off the water, unscrew the faucet and replace it with one that's the same length.

How to fix a faucet that leaks from the handle?

In some cases, you can fix this by simply tightening the retaining nut that's under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Try tightening the nut slightly (Photo 1).

How to fix a vacuum breaker leak?

Pry from both sides with a pair of screwdrivers. Step 5. Vacuum breaker parts. Unscrew the retainer and pull out the vacuum breaker. You may be able to fix the leak by simply cleaning the parts and reinstalling them .

Where is the washer on a frost proof faucet?

On frost-proof faucets, the washer is located on the end of the long faucet stem. Remove the handle and nut (Photo 1) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo 2). You may have to turn the stem to “unscrew” it before it'll come out. Getting the faucet apart is the hard part.

Can a frost proof faucet leak?

A leaking frost- proof faucet can waste a lot of water, but fixes are simple, whether the problem is the faucet stem washer assembly, the vacuum breaker, or just a loose retaining nut.

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How to Repair A Leaky Frost-Proof Faucet

  • Here are step-by-step instructions for how to repair a frost-proof faucet that’s leaking from a worn-out O-ring or washer. 1. Turn off the water supply valve to the sillcock inside the house. It should be located somewhere close to the opposite side of the outdoor spigot (on the inside of the house). If you can’t find it, then shut off the main wat...
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Recommended Frost-Proof Faucets

Final Thoughts

  • Trust us, repairing a frost-free faucet looks much more complicated than it actually is. Remember, all you’re doing is (1) tightening what’s already part of the assembly to make sure the fittings are extra-secure, and (2) replacing simple O-ring and washer if they look worn out. It’s as simple as taking one out and putting the new one in. Give it a try if you’re seeing a leak. You got this!
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Related Resources

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

  • Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help repairing or installing a frost-proof outdoor faucet. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing,drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavationof underground water lines and sewer main line…
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