Sillcock Repair Tip:
- Remove sillcock handle, and loosen retaining nut with channel-type pliers. Remove stem. Replace O-ring found on...
- Remove the brass stem screw at the end of the stem, and replace the washer. Reassemble the sillcock.
Full Answer
How do you repair a leaking sillcock?
A sillcock is a compression faucet attached to the outside of the house. Repair a leaky sillcock by replacing the stem washer and the O-ring. Sillcocks can be damaged by frost in the winter, according to the Concord plumbing specialists, leaving the homeowner with a ruptured pipe.
What is a sillcock faucet?
A sillcock is a compression faucet attached to the outside of the house. Repair a leaky sillcock by replacing the stem washer and the O-ring.
Are Sillcocks necessary for plumbing?
Are Sillcocks Necessary? The plumbing codes in many areas require that buildings have sillcocks. They are the best and often the only way to deliver a supply of water outside the home. This is helpful in emergencies, for outdoor water recreation, or simply to keep lawns and gardens thriving in the summer.
How do you keep a window sillcock from freezing up?
A special frost-proof sillcock has a long stem that reaches at least 6″ inside the house to protect it from cold. Install a sillcock so the pipe angles downward from the shutoff valve. This allows water to drain away each time the faucet is turned off.
How do you repair an old Sillcock?
1:032:20Repair Frostproof Sillcock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you've confirmed your water supply is off remove the stem from your frost proof silcock. InMoreOnce you've confirmed your water supply is off remove the stem from your frost proof silcock. In order to do this you'll need a wrench to loosen the packing nut behind the handle.
How do you stop a Sillcock from leaking?
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.
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 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 does a Sillcock valve work?
AKA “Sillcock”. It works by shutting off the water inside your home and allowing the water to run out of the actual faucet so that there is nothing to freeze. Years ago before these things were invented, we would just shut the water off inside the home which supplied that faucet under the house, and drain the line.
How do you fix an outside water spigot?
0:385:13How to Fix a Leaky Hose Spigot | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo many times you can just tighten up tighten up this top nut which thereby compresses that bonnetMoreSo many times you can just tighten up tighten up this top nut which thereby compresses that bonnet again to have it stop leaking out from here right but sometimes that's not enough it's just so worn.
How do you replace a bib on an outdoor faucet?
0:096:51Replacing a Leaky Hose Bibb - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipToday we're going to show you how to take off the hose bill and replace it with a new. One. We'reMoreToday we're going to show you how to take off the hose bill and replace it with a new. One. We're gonna replace this hose bib. Because as you can see it's leaking.
Do you leave hose bib open in winter?
You want to ensure you leave your hose bib open in case any water finds its way into the pipes. Once done your pipes should be completely water free.
How does a frost free Sillcock valve work?
On a frost-free model, the pipe that goes inside your home is longer than a traditional faucet, with the shutoff valve sitting additional inside your home where it's warmer. When installed effectively, the pipe rests at a slight downward angle to assist any water drain pipes out so it doesn't freeze.
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.
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.
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 you remove a Sillcock valve?
1:454:46How to Replace an Outdoor Faucet with a Frost-Proof Sillcock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut it around the pipe snap it together and then just spin it around in the direction the arrow.MorePut it around the pipe snap it together and then just spin it around in the direction the arrow. Pretty cool cutter surfeit go got it a little bit of water.
What is the knob on top of 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 To Repair a Sillcock
A sillcock is a compression faucet attached to the outside of the house. Repair a leaky sillcock by replacing the stem washer and the O-ring.
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.
Common Types of Valves
Gate valve has a movable brass wedge, or “gate,” that screws up and down to control water flow. Gate valves may develop leaks around the handle. Repair leaks by replacing the packing washer or packing string found underneath the packing nut.
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.
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 ...
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 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.
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 .
Can a frost proof faucet leak?
Another place a frost-proof faucet can leak is from the anti-siphon portion of the valve if the faucet has one. This component can go bad with use, and to repair it you will most likely need a new anti-siphon rebuild kit that is brand-specific to your faucet.
How Does a Sillcock Faucet Work?
Generally, a sillcock works like most faucets. When the handle is turned in a clockwise direction, a mechanism inside the spigot blocks the flow of water. When the handle is turned in a counterclockwise direction, water is able to flow.
Are Sillcocks Necessary?
The plumbing codes in many areas require that buildings have sillcocks. They are the best and often the only way to deliver a supply of water outside the home. This is helpful in emergencies, for outdoor water recreation, or simply to keep lawns and gardens thriving in the summer.
How to reassemble a frost free sillcock?
Reassemble your frost-free sillcock and test the fittings by turning on the water. BIG TIP COMING UP. Make sure your frost-proof sillcock tilts down toward the ground. This allows water to drain out of it and prevents residual water from freezing during the winter months.
How to keep sillcocks from freezing?
BIG TIP COMING UP. Make sure your frost-proof sillcock tilts down toward the ground. This allows water to drain out of it and prevents residual water from freezing during the winter months.
Why return 3 sillcocks?
Because it’s much easier to return 3 sillcocks than it is to run to the store 3 extra times. Installing a new frost-free sillcock or hose bib (whichever you’d like to call it) is a lot easier than you’d think. Especially since soldering has been made obsolete by SharkBite fittings.
How do I remove an outside water faucet?
Go outside and unfasten the screws that hold the old outside water faucet to the outdoor wall. If you don’t have any screws then you’re in luck. In my case, I just had to pull the old unit out of the brick.
How to tighten a sharkbite?
Add Teflon tape, about 4-5 revolutions, on the male threaded end of the new frost-free sillcock. Hand tighten the female SharkBite fitting as much as you can then tighten it 1/2 to 1 revolution with channel locks to create a good water-tight connection.
What size masonry bit do I need for a brick wall?
If you have brick and your hole is too narrow you will need to visit a home store and purchase a 1 1/4 inch masonry bit. When I rushed to Lowe’s to get this bit, the biggest size they had was 1 inch but it worked out just fine. You’ll also need a hammer drill with a 1/2 inch chuck.
What does anti-siphon do?
As an added benefit the anti-siphon stops water or other liquids from being siphoned back into your water supply. This is only relevant if you’re maniacal (think Emperor Palpatine, the crazy guy who technically killed Darth Vader) and have a hose that is connected to your outside water faucet resting in gasoline or some other toxic chemical.
