How to Repair a Leaky Frost-Proof Faucet.
- 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 ...
- Remove the handle screw. Lift the handle straigh up and off.
- Using an adjustable wrench, remove the hexagonal retaining nut by turning it counterclockwise.
- Turn the stem counterclockwise and pull it all th way out.
- Take the retaining nut and the stem to a hardware store and purchase replacement O-rings and washer.
- Replace the O-rings and washer.
- Insert the stem into the sillcock body and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.
Full Answer
How to stop a freeze proof faucet from leaking?
Worn-Out Stem Washer or Cartridge
- Shut off the water to the faucet, either at an indoor shutoff valve or by turning off water to the entire house.
- Remove the handle from the spigot by removing the handle screw.
- Unscrew the faucet mounting nut, and extract the entire stem from the faucet body.
- Examing the washer and/or O-rings at the end of the faucet stem and replace them. ...
How to fix a leaky outdoor frost free faucet?
- First, start by tightening the retainer nut to see if that fixes the problem. ...
- Once the retaining nut is gone, remove the pipe stem and inspect the material for any cracks or deformities. ...
- If the faucet stem seems to have integrity, inspect the washer assembly unit on the end of the stem. ...
How to prevent a frozen outdoor faucet?
- Use a hair dryer and turn it on the highest (hottest) setting. ...
- Instead of towels and rags, use specialized heat tape to wrap around your spigot. ...
- Use either a space heater or heat lamp to slowly thaw out the faucet. ...
How do I Stop my frost free faucet from leaking?
How to Install a Frost Proof Faucet
- Choose a location on the side of your house for the faucet. ...
- Drill a 1-inch hole through the siding with a drill and a 1-inch spade bit. ...
- Insert the valve-end of a frost-proof faucet through the hole and attach the faucet to the siding. ...
- Shut off the water to the 3/4-inch cold water pipe that supplies the faucet. ...
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).
Why is my frost proof faucet leaking?
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.
How do you fix an outside frost free faucet?
1:172:55Frost Free Faucet Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipContinue your outdoor water faucet repair by inserting the new rod assembly all the way into theMoreContinue your outdoor water faucet repair by inserting the new rod assembly all the way into the tube casing. And turn the handle clockwise. In order to connect the rod at the back of the faucet.
How do you fix a leaking outdoor faucet in the winter?
0:452:35How 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.
How do you fix a leaking outdoor faucet?
0:257:35How to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet - DON'T Replace It - Cheap & EasyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first tip is the easiest the cheapest. And the best buy one of these special caps and you canMoreThe first tip is the easiest the cheapest. And the best buy one of these special caps and you can screw it right on the end of your faucet. If you've got a leak this cap can instantly fix the problem
Why does my outdoor faucet leak when I turn it on?
Sometimes your outdoor faucet will leak because the water pressure is too much for it to handle. In such a case, you'll have to call in a plumber to diagnose the problem. Usually, high pressure is a sign of underlying problems. If you're not careful, the high water pressure might permanently damage your faucet.
How do you replace a valve stem on an outdoor faucet?
0:343:59Repair Outdoor Faucet - traditional style - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's pretty simple you're just going to unscrew the screw. Replace the washer put the screw back inMoreIt's pretty simple you're just going to unscrew the screw. Replace the washer put the screw back in you don't need to be super tight on that you're just going to Snug it down.
Why does my hose leak at the spigot?
If your hose leaks where it connects to the spigot, it's most likely caused by a worn gasket, stripped adapter, or leaking connector. Connection problems usually cost between $2 and $20 to fix. New garden hoses can cost up to $400, depending on the length and material.
How do you repack a frost free faucet?
1:493:02Fixing Faucets : How to Repair a Leak in a Frost-Proof Water FaucetYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt up when repairing the faucet. You'll need to remove the bib washer first remove the screw. AndMoreIt up when repairing the faucet. You'll need to remove the bib washer first remove the screw. And then take your pick or knife and remove the bib washer. Once you have your new washer you've matched
How much does a plumber charge to replace an outdoor spigot?
Plumber Cost to Install a New Outdoor Water Spigot For most small jobs, plumbers charge a flat rate of $100 to $300 which includes both materials and labor. For larger projects that require new pipes, demolition or that might exceed an hour and a half, expect to pay $45 to $65 per hour.
Do you Drip outside faucets in freezing weather?
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
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.
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 ...
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, ...
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 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.
Do sillcocks have a vacuum breaker?
Newer frost-proof sillcocks also integrat e a vacuum breaker mechanism that prevents siphoning. This is now a code requirement, but older frost-proof faucets may not have this feature. Like any faucet, a variety of routine problems can cause a frost-proof faucet to leak.
Can a hose spigot freeze?
A frost-proof sillcock faucet (hose spigot) is an excellent choice in climates with freezing winter temperatures, since the faucet's design prevents water from remaining inside the faucet near the exterior wall, where it can freeze and split the faucet body. The parts of a frost-proof faucet can, however, wear out and require repair or replacement .
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 freeze proof faucet?
Freeze-Proof Faucet. A freeze-proof faucet stops the water flow far inside the warm house, so it won’t freeze in winter.
Why does water trickle out of faucets?
The trouble with these faucets is that water trickles out for a few seconds after the valve is closed. That trickle makes you think the valve is still open, so you turn the faucet handle harder. It doesn’t take much of this repeated overtightening to wreck the valve’s rubber washer.
Can you fix a freeze proof outdoor faucet?
In fact, you can fix most outdoor faucets that aren’t freeze-proof the same way. Photos 1 – 3 show how it’s done. Don’t forget to shut off the water supply before you get started. Be sure to hold back the faucet when you unscrew the packing nut and later screw it back on (Photo 1).
What to do if hydrant lever is not fully closed?
If the hydrant lever can't be fully closed, or if the faucet continues to dribble water when the lever is closed, you may need to adjust the hydrant's shutoff. Most hydrants have a square-head setscrew or a lock wheel that can loosened to allow for small adjustments to the position of the lever.
What makes a hydrant frost proof?
But what makes the hydrant frost-proof is a design variation that features a drain port built into the bottom of the valve. When the pump rod and plunger lift away from the valve seat, this drain port is blocked, forcing water to flow up the standpipe. However, when the pump rod and plunger are lowered down to close against the water inlet, ...
How to remove a pump rod?
Remove the Pump Rod. Carefully pull up and remove the long pump rod from inside the standpipe. If necessary, grip the rod with pliers to remove it; use pliers only on the outer portion of the rod, not on the brass spindle. Unscrew the old plunger from the end of the rod, using a screwdriver.
What is a frost free yard hydrant?
A frost-free yard hydrant is really just a variation on a standard compression faucet, in which a plunger at the end of a plunger stem opens and closes against a water inlet to control the flow of water. But in the case of a yard hydrant, the plunger is fitted onto the end of a long pump rod that runs down inside the vertical standpipe to ...
How does a frost free hydrant work?
How a Frost-Free Hydrant Works. A frost-free hydrant can be thought of as a very long compression faucet. The horizontal water pipe running out to the hydrant location from the house must be buried deep enough to be below the frost line, which in some climates can be 4 feet or more below ground. The actual valve body is located at ...
When a pump rod and plunger are lowered down to close against the water inlet, the drain port is
However, when the pump rod and plunger are lowered down to close against the water inlet, the drain port is opened and any water in the standpipe drains away into the ground—the surrounding area is usually packed with gravel to facilitate drainage.
Where do you turn off water lines in your house?
If there's no shutoff valve on the individual water line, you can turn off the water at your home's main shutoff valve .
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...
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!
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…