
- Turn off water to the spigot and drain out the water trapped in the pipe.
- Using an adjustable wrench or a pair of pliers, loosen the packing nut and pull out the spigot stem.
- Hold the spigot stem firmly in your hand and remove the worn out washer with a Philips screwdriver. Be careful not to lose the screw.
- Replace the washer with a brand new one and screw it in place. ...
- Connect the stem back. To do this correctly pull the stem all the way back such that the washer is a close to the bonnet as possible. ...
- Turn on the water and check if the leak has been stopped.
Full Answer
How to repair a leaking outdoor 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 an outdoor faucet leak?
How to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet
- Figure out where the faucet is leaking. It may be the washer or it could be the faucet itself. ...
- If the faucet cap is tight and the water is coming from the faucet you will need to replace the washer.
- Outside, open the tap and allow any water in the tap to drain out.
Why is my outdoor spigot leaking?
Why is My Faucet Leaking?
- Leaks and Drips Out of the Faucet. In a washer-type faucet, a leak or drip out of a turned-off faucet usually indicates a worn-out washer.
- Leaks from the Faucet Handle or Stem. In the washer-type faucet, leaking from the faucet handle or stem can be caused by a worn or bent stem, deteriorated stem ...
- Leaking Behind or Under the Faucet. ...
- Noisy Faucets. ...
How to replace an outdoor water spigot?
- I took the piece that was reused and placed it within the spigot itself
- Then I securely pressed it in so that it was fully seated
- I took the 90 degree fitting and first went in with one end (these ends need to be deburred! ...
- Finally, fit in the pipe at the other end!

How do you fix a leaking outdoor spigot?
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.
What causes an outside spigot to drip?
Often, outside spigots leaking are caused by a packing nut that is loose. Adjust this component yourself to see if the leak is resolved. Locate the packing nut on your outside spigot – it is located just behind the handle. Use a pair of pliers that are adjustable and fit them around the packing nut.
How do you seal a leaky spigot?
If the spigot is leaking around the valve stem when the water is turned on, it can usually be fixed by tightening the packing nut behind the handle 1/8 to 1/4 turn. If the faucet still leaks after tightening the packing nut, the washer on the end of the valve stem needs to be replaced.
Do you need a plumber to replace outdoor spigot?
Replacing and installing an outdoor faucet is not just a quick handyperson job. It's a good idea to hire a licensed, bonded and insured plumber for the work, which should only take a few hours unless there are unseen problems.
Why does my spigot leak when hose is attached?
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 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.
Can you cap a leaking spigot?
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 much does it cost to replace an outdoor spigot?
On average, the cost for installing an outdoor spigot runs from $150 to $500, although the average cost to U.S. homeowners is about $200 for a new brass hose bib spigot and shut-off valve installation. For basic spigot replacement, homeowners may pay as little as $100.
Is it easy to replace a spigot?
Replacing an Outdoor Water Spigot At one point or another, you are going to have to replace an outside hose spigot. Luckily, this project requires just a few simple tools and a bit of gumption. You should be able to knock this out in no time at all.
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 tighten a spigot packing nut?
1:363:12Fix Leaking Shut-Off Valve | Tighten Packing Nut - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou don't need to tighten it too much just a little bit at a time. So tighten it about an eighth ofMoreYou don't need to tighten it too much just a little bit at a time. So tighten it about an eighth of a turn. And keep checking back to see if it stopped the leak.
What is a packing nut?
The packing nut is the part of the valve that provides a watertight seal around the valve stem, and usually, a leaking shut-off valve is the fault of a problem with the packing nut.
Where is the packing nut on a hose bib?
The packing nut is the hexagon nut that is located directly behind the handle of the hose bibb. It sometimes drips after you have finished using your hose. These drips can be costly and run up your water bill as it drips all month long.
What does it mean when a spigot leaks?
If you spigot is leaking all the time (through the spigot spout), it is a sign that the valve seat washer is worn out. This washer is usually located at the front of the spigot stem, connected to it using a Philips screw.
What to do if spigot is leaking from handle?
The solution for this is tightening the loose nut or replacing the worn out washer.
Why does my outdoor spigot leak?
Outdoor spigots typically start leaking when the packing or seat washers wear out. These washers are located around the spigot’s handle. You’ll need to remove the faulty washer and replace it with a new one. Here’s an easy 9-stey by step guide to fixing your faulty spigot:
How to get water back into a spigot?
You are one. Turn on the water mains or your water meter to let water back into the pipes. Next, turn on the spigot and let it run for a couple of minutes. This releases any air pressure that built up while you were fixing the spigot.
How to remove a tap stem?
To remove the stem, you’ll need to hold the spigot and water pipe that supplies water and turn both counterclockwise. In some taps, all you need to do is pull the valve firmly.
What to do if water dripping from spigot?
If you notice water dripping from the spigot’s handle, change the packing nut. It’s also wise to replace the nut if you haven’t adequately serviced the tap in a while.
How much water is wasted from leaking spigots?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water leaks lead to over 1 trillion gallons of water wasted annually nationwide . Consider how much leaking spigots contribute to this statistic, and you know you have a problem to deal with right away.
Why don't you want to have water flooding the whole area?
You don’t want to have water flooding the whole area because you need to fix a faulty tap. You can do this by shutting down the water meter or turning off the water mains. Warn everyone so that no one is caught midway through a shower with soap suds in their eyes.
Is a small water leak a sound?
The sound of a small water leak is easy to ignore – except not only is that the sound of your money draining away into the ground, but you are also exposing your home foundations and any other concrete works close by to structural damage.
How do I turn off the water supply to my spigot?
Turn off the water supply to the spigot, which you can do by either turning off an inline valve controlling the water line or turning off the main water supply to your house. 3. Using a wrench, unscrew the packing nut under the spigot’s handle, and if it would not turn, spray it with lubricant to try again in a few minutes.
How long can an outside water spigot go without service?
Typically, an outside water spigot would go for years without service, but eventually, it would see water starting to continually drip from its handle or its spout, giving you no choice but to repair it. While you might think that this task requires the service of a professional, it is actually easier than you think, ...
What is a water spigot?
Basically, a water spigot has a compression valve that tightens the washer onto its valve seat when the handle is turned, and leaks would occur when this washer or the packing around the handle is worn out. To replace these components, you need to remove its packing nut.
Steps for fixing a leaky hose spigot
1. Richard explains that in most circumstances, a leaky hose spigot will leak from one of two places: the bonnet, or the spout.
Resources
The spare washer kit, teflon tape, and spigot repair tools can all be found at home centers and plumbing supply houses.
Steps for Fixing a Leaky Outdoor Faucet-
Step #1- Turn off the water supply: The first step to fixing or replacing any water fixture is to shut off the water supply. If the faucet does not have an individual valve, you can turn the lever off from the mains, shutting the water supply to the entire house. Allow any excess water and air pressure to escape from the pipes.
About Big Apple Plumbing
If your leaky faucet needs replacement or repairing, Big Apple Plumbing can help you resolve the problem. We are a local, family-owned plumbing business that has been in operation since 2014. Our team can install and repair your kitchen, bath, drain, and sewer plumbing. We are available in Fort Collins, Berthoud, Meade, Johnstown, and Fort Lupton.
