Repairing Guides

how to repair a sillcock valve

by Kale Rath Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • 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.

More items...

Part of a video titled Repair Frostproof Sillcock - YouTube
1:03
2:20
Once 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.

Full Answer

How to replace a leaking sillcock?

Process of Replacing Frost-Free Sillcock Outdoor Faucets:

  1. Turn off the Water Heater and Drain the System. Your first task is to find the heater valve. ...
  2. Remove the Old Faucet. First, you need a wrench. ...
  3. Install the New Faucet. First, you need to call your drill into action. ...
  4. Attach New Faucet to the Existing Water Pipe. ...
  5. Securing the New Sillcock Faucet. ...

How to fix leaking sillcock?

  • 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.

More items...

How to replace sillcock valve with frost free shark bite?

Usage

  • Compatible with PEX, copper, CPVC, PE-RT and HDPE pipe.
  • No special tools, crimping, glue or soldering is needed.
  • Approved for behind-the-wall applications with no access panels.
  • Can be installed in wet lines.
  • Can be rotated for easier and faster installation.
  • Ideal for working in tight spaces.

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How to fix leaky sillcock?

  • The hydrant's valve should be below the frost line - the deepest point in the soil that is expected to freeze during cold weather
  • The water supply piping to the hydrant should be below the frost line
  • A gravel bed is provided around the yard hydrant's buried valve. ...

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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.

Why does my silcock leak?

One of the most common reasons why your sillcock could be leaking is due to a work-out cartridge or stem washer. To identify if this is the problem with your water hydrant, notice if when you try closing the handle, water refuses to stop flowing completely.

How do you fix a frost free Sillcock?

2:5616:09How To Fix a Leaking Frost Proof Faucet | DIY Plumbing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAfter you change it out put the cap. Back on. And if the leak was up here you've got it fixed. IfMoreAfter you change it out put the cap. Back on. And if the leak was up here you've got it fixed. If you put a vacuum breaker repair kit on it that was designed for yours.

How do you repair a frost free spigot?

0:002:55Frost Free Faucet Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWork around the outer diameter of the packing material. Until it dislodges. And comes out place theMoreWork around the outer diameter of the packing material. Until it dislodges. And comes out place the handle back on the rod without the screw. And turn the handle counterclockwise. Four to five times.

How do you fix an outside water spigot?

0:342:35How 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 replace an outdoor faucet stem?

0:073:59Repair Outdoor Faucet - traditional style - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe same you take out that lower nut and the entire stem. And handle will unscrew with it and on theMoreThe same you take out that lower nut and the entire stem. And handle will unscrew with it and on the bottom you can see the two nuts here yep. You've got a washer held in with the screw.

Can a frost proof faucet be repaired?

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.

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. Start with the retaining nut, then look for other problems. Tighten retaining nut.

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 fix an outside faucet that won't turn off?

Outdoor Faucet Won't Turn Off? Here's 5 Steps to Fix ItTurn off the water supply to the faucet.Drain the water from the faucet.Remove the packing nut.Remove the valve stem.Reassemble the faucet with a new parts where necessary.

How do you repack a silcock?

0:582:20Repair 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.

Why is my water spigot not working?

If you are still having issues with your outdoor faucet, you may need to call a plumber to investigate the issue further. If the faucet has no water, the issue could be the aerator or the spout inside the faucet. At the bottom of the faucet spout, rubble may get into the filter.

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.

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.

What is a long valve stem?

In older types of faucets, a long valve stem operates a rubber washer that compresses down against a valve seat located well inside the house where it remains too warm to freeze. The faucet is designed so that any standing water inside the pipe drains out whenever the faucet is shut off. With no water in the pipe, it cannot freeze, expand, ...

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 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 .

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.

What is an anti-siphon valve?

Explanation of the faucet's anti-siphon feature: The vent (allowing air into the faucet) combines with a check valve to prevent back-flow of unsanitary water from a garden hose backwards into the building water supply piping.

Why does backflow occur in hose bibs?

Back-flow of water from such a source through an open hose bibb faucet would then occur if the building happened to lose water pressure.

Can you leave a hose on an outdoor faucet in winter?

As we explained above in describing standard compression type hose bibbs, you should never leave a garden hose attached to the outdoor fa ucet in winter.

Can you pull out a sillcock?

Watch out: while you cannot simply pull out a sillcock that was soldered in place, valves are sold terminating in either a solder-type or sweat fitting OR in a threaded fitting.

Can you see water coming out of anti-siphon valve?

Water should not be leaking out of the anti-siphon valve at this point though of course, water is pouring all over your feet as you've opened the sillcock. In my photo above [Click to enlarge any image] you may see that there's water inside of the valve, because I've opened the sillcock for testing.

Do plumbers need a shut off valve?

In a freezing climate where hose bibbs like this one are installed, the plumber should have installed a shut-off valve inside the heated building interior. Before freezing weather arrives the indoor shutoff valve is closed and then the sillcock or hose-bibb is opened to drain.

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