- Tighten retaining nut. If you're lucky, you can fix your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut under the handle. Don't crank it hard, though.
- Remove the stem. Next, remove the faucet stem. It's easier if you reinstall the handle temporarily so you'll have something to grip.
- Replace washer assembly. Keep track of the parts as you disassemble the faucet so you can install the new ones in the same order.
- Remove the vacuum breaker cap. Pop off the vacuum breaker cap to access the parts underneath. Pry from both sides with a pair of screwdrivers.
- 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.
How do you repair a freeze proof faucet?
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 dripping Moen faucet for free?
Start with the retaining nut, then look for other problems
- Tighten retaining nut. If you're lucky, you can fix your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut under the handle. ...
- Remove the stem. Next, remove the faucet stem. ...
- Replace washer assembly. Keep track of the parts as you disassemble the faucet so you can install the new ones in the same order.
- Remove the vacuum breaker cap. ...
- Vacuum breaker parts. ...
How do you replace a frost free hydrant?
Materials
- Frost-free hydrant repair kit
- Spray penetrating oil (as needed)
- Silicone plumber's grease (optional)
- Plumber's tape
How to fix a leaky outdoor frost free faucet?
- Turn off the water supply valve to the sillcock inside the house. ...
- Remove the handle screw. ...
- 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.
Why does my frost free 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.
What is the cap on top of a frost free faucet?
The vacuum cap is circular and about an inch in diameter, and it either slips or screws onto the top of the faucet. The device underneath it is known as a vacuum breaker or an anti-siphon valve.
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.
How do you fix a leaky silcock?
0:213:15How to Fix a Leaky Frost Free Sillcock / Outdoor Faucet video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOff I'm going to take off the center screw. Then remove the handle. And then underneath this nut isMoreOff I'm going to take off the center screw. Then remove the handle. And then underneath this nut is a washer and a lot of times the problems in this washer.
How do you remove an anti siphon cap?
0:502:48How to Fix Anti Siphon Valve on Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that you don't crack it. Once you remove that any safety valve just put it to the side andMoreSo that you don't crack it. Once you remove that any safety valve just put it to the side and hopefully with any luck the a TESOL anti-siphon valve itself is loose and you just unscrew it.
How do I turn off anti siphon valve?
0:003:19How to shut off an anti-siphon valve - when it won't shut off by in selfYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this video i'm going to show you how to shut the water off if your sprinkler won't stop runningMoreIn this video i'm going to show you how to shut the water off if your sprinkler won't stop running all right this first valve is a hunter valve as a plastic three quarters 100 valve. And this valve
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 remove a frost free outdoor faucet?
1:5410:27How 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.
What is a silcock?
sillcock (plural sillcocks) (US) A faucet designed to be installed horizontally on the outside wall of a building, typically to attach a hose.
What does an anti siphon valve do?
In your marine head, the anti-siphon valve works to help stop backflow of discharge water into the head and then possibly into the boat. A similar valve also works to help stop siphoning of water in the head intake line when the head is below the maximum-heeled waterline.
How do you cap off a faucet?
1:285:18How to Cap a Water Valve or Fitting Without Leaking - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you look at the end of a standard water line going to your faucet. There is an o-ring in thereMoreSo if you look at the end of a standard water line going to your faucet. There is an o-ring in there. So there is a rubber surface that helps to seal.
Can you put a cap on an outdoor faucet?
This winterization involves draining the water, shutting off the valve and installing an outdoor water faucet cap. A cap shouldn't cost you more than $20, and you should drain the line and install the cap before the first freeze of the season.
How do you cap a faucet pipe?
InstructionsShut Off the Water. Shut off the water supply to the house. ... Cut Off the Pipes. Cut off the water pipes, using a tubing cutter if you have enough room to rotate the tool around the pipe. ... Clean the Pipe Ends. Clean the end of each cut pipe with a rag. ... Cap the Pipes. ... Test the Capped Fittings.
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, ...
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 ...
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 long does it take to repair a frost free faucet?
When a frost-free faucet develops a leak, the homeowner can complete the necessary repairs in one hour or less, using a few basic tools and materials--all of which are readily available at a local hardware store or home center. Advertisement.
What is a frost free faucet?
The difference is that a longer frost-free faucet stem connected to the compression washer valve seals off the water supply inside the home rather than near the spout where the water would be exposed to the cold outside temperatures.
How to remove a packing nut from a faucet?
Remove the faucet packing nut by turning it counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench. Use lockjaw pliers to support the frost-proof faucet body while removing the packing nut. The packing nut is located directly behind the handle and has six flat sides to facilitate removal with a wrench.
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.
