- 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 an outdoor faucet?
To replace an outdoor faucet washer:
- Turn the water off to the faucet.
- Unscrew the packing nut by turning it counterclockwise.
- Pull the handle and stem out of the faucet housing.
- Remove the screw on the end of the stem that holds the rubber washer.
- Replace the rubber washer on the stem with one of the same size.
- Tighten the screw holding the washer back up.
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.
How do you fix a leaky outdoor 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 repair a dripping outdoor faucet?
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 leaky outdoor frost free faucet?
1:493:02Fixing Faucets : How to Repair a Leak in a Frost-Proof Water FaucetYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll need to remove the bib washer first remove the screw. And then take your pick or knife andMoreYou'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 up the proper.
How do you repair a frost free Sillcock outdoor faucet?
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.
Why is my frost free spigot 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 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 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.
What is the cap on top of an outdoor 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 you take apart a Sillcock?
1:032:20Repair Frostproof Sillcock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the packing nut is loose for our full turn model 72011 turn the handle counterclockwise. UntilMoreOnce the packing nut is loose for our full turn model 72011 turn the handle counterclockwise. Until the stem comes loose. And pull to remove the stem.
How do you change the stem on a silcock?
Sillcock Repair Tip:Remove sillcock handle, and loosen retaining nut with channel-type pliers. Remove stem. Replace O-ring found on retaining nut or stem.Remove the brass stem screw at the end of the stem, and replace the washer. Reassemble the sillcock.
How do you fix a leaky Sillcock?
Handle stem leaksTurn off the water to the spigot.Remove the handle of the sillcock by unscrewing the screw that keeps the handle in place.Around the faucet, there is a packing nut, unscrew it too.Replace the old packing cord with a new one.Once done, reassemble the faucet and attach the handle back.
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.
Do you need a plumber to replace an outside faucet
No, often, you can fix a leaky faucet by yourself without a professional plumber.
How much does it cost to replace an outdoor spigot?
It depends on the part that is broken, but the typical outdoor spigot can cost anywhere between $30-$100 to replace/fix.
Will a leaking outdoor faucet freeze? How do you prevent this?
Yes, leaking outdoor faucets are more prone to freezing during the winter because excess water is still stuck in the pipes. You can prevent this pr...
What are the main types of outdoor faucets?
The two main types of outdoor faucets are regular and frost-free faucets.
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.
Why is there a loose retaining nut on my faucet?
A loose retaining nut is the most common cause. A loose nut prevents the faucet stem from being sealed fully. There could also be general damage around the faucet from mechanical stress or frost damage. Read more about touchless faucets here.
Why is my water spigot leaking?
Here are some of the most common causes of a leaky water spigot. A damaged washer assembly unit can mean the pipe is not connected to the water correctly, and some is leaking out . A cracked stem is also a common cause of a water faucet leaking. If the vacuum breaker does not close entirely, water can leak through and come out of the faucet.
What is the main part of an outdoor spigot?
Here are the main parts of an outdoor spigot: Faucet stem - This is the part that contains the pipe that lets water flow to the faucet.Usually, it’s inside the house wall but not always. Washer assembly unit - The washer assembly unit is the tip of the stem that secures it to the pipe. Vacuum breaker - The vacuum breaker prevents water ...
What prevents water from entering the pipe?
Vacuum breaker - The vacuum breaker prevents water from entering the pipe if it does not go out of the faucet. Retaining nut - The retaining nut is located directly under the handle and is connected to the faucet stem. Water can leak in from any of these parts if they are loose or worn down.
How to remove vacuum breaker plate?
Remove the vacuum breaker plate using your screwdriver and then a pair of pliers to take the fixture out. Sometimes, you may just need to clean the edges of the parts to fix the problem. If the parts are visibly deformed or damaged, replace the vacuum breaker with the new one.
What happens if a washer fails?
A failed washer will be deformed or possibly cracked. If you see that your washer assembly is broken, replace it by using your screwdriver. The washer assembly can also just be loose and need to be tightened. If the washer assembly is still in good condition, then that means the problem is likely the vacuum breaker.
Is a frost free spigot a faucet?
Parts of an Outdoor Faucet & Frost Free Spigot. As a general rule of thumb, if the handle for your faucet is perpendicular to the faucet itself, then it’s probably a frost-free faucet. If the handle is not perpendicular, then it’s probably not a frost free spigot. Here are the main parts of an outdoor spigot:
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 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. 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…