Repairing Guides

how to repair a water spigot

by Macie Buckridge Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Fix Your Faulty Spigot

  1. Turn off the Water Supply. Before you do anything, turn off your water supply. ...
  2. Let out any Excess or Accumulated Water or Pressure. You’ll likely have water or pressure left in the pipes after you have turned off the mains/water meter.
  3. Loosen the Packing Nut. The packing nut is located underneath the handle. ...
  4. Remove the Spigot’s Valve. Once you loosen the packing nut, remove the tap’s valve stem from the metal housing. ...
  5. Restore the Washer. Once you pull out the valve, the washer is located at the bottom of the stem. You should remove it using a flat screwdriver.
  6. Change the Packing Nut. If you notice water dripping from the spigot’s handle, change the packing nut. ...
  7. Put the Valve Back. Now, it’s time to put the valve stem back into the faucet housing. ...
  8. Turn on the Water Mains. You are one. Turn on the water mains or your water meter to let water back into the pipes. ...
  9. Double-check for Leaks. It’s always good to double-check your work. ...

How to replace a leaky outdoor faucet or water spigot?

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.
  2. If the leak is at the bonnet: a. Start by tightening the bonnet with a wrench. ...
  3. If the leak is at the spout, the process is a little more involved:

How to fix outdoor water spigot?

How to Fix Your Faulty Spigot

  1. Turn off the Water Supply. Before you do anything, turn off your water supply. ...
  2. Let out any Excess or Accumulated Water or Pressure. You’ll likely have water or pressure left in the pipes after you have turned off the mains/water meter.
  3. Loosen the Packing Nut. ...
  4. Remove the Spigot’s Valve. ...
  5. Restore the Washer. ...
  6. Change the Packing Nut. ...
  7. Put the Valve Back. ...

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How to install a water spigot?

  • A spigot intended for half-inch CPVC water lines.
  • Since the spigot will have female threads, you will need one male adapter to attach it to the ½” CPVC water line. ...
  • One shut-off valve. ...
  • One ¾” spade bit, to drill a hole through the interior wall, and then through the exterior wall.
  • One 1” spade bit, to drill a hole through the exterior wall. ...

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How to fix leaking spigot?

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. ...

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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.

Can I replace an outdoor spigot myself?

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.

How do you fix a broken spigot pipe?

6:2815:29How To Replace A broken Hose Spigot | The Handyman | - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBreak doesn't take much for that water that's left in here to expand and crack that copper. Open.MoreBreak doesn't take much for that water that's left in here to expand and crack that copper. Open.

How much does a plumber charge to replace an outdoor spigot?

Replacing a hose bib, also called a spigot or sillcock, averages $80, or between $55 and $105. New installation raises the price to $230 to $350, depending on the spigot's proximity to existing plumbing.

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.

What is the difference between a faucet and spigot?

Faucet is the most common term in the US, similar in use to "tap" in British English, e.g. "water faucet" (although the term "tap" is also used in the US). Spigot is used by professionals in the trade (such as plumbers), and typically refers to an outdoor fixture.

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.

How do you replace an outdoor spigot with a shark bite?

2:563:58How to Install an Outdoor Faucet | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd make it a little bit easier to install a couple of screws. I want to have a tight seal on thisMoreAnd make it a little bit easier to install a couple of screws. I want to have a tight seal on this hole. So i'm going to use a little bit of plumber's putty to just fill that back side of the hole.How to Install an Outdoor Faucet | This Old House - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › watchhttps://www.youtube.com › watchSearch for: How do you install a new water spigot?

How do you replace a frost proof spigot?

0:261:49How To Install a SharkBite Outdoor Hose Bibb or Sillcock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAttach. The valve using the mounting bracket to a post or wall. And you're done for a hose bib orMoreAttach. The valve using the mounting bracket to a post or wall. And you're done for a hose bib or frost-free Silcock push a piece of PEX copper CPVC or pert pipe into the sharkbite fitting.

How do you replace an outdoor faucet stem?

0:3910:27How Pro Plumbers Replace Frost Proof Faucets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn so we want to open it up to look and see is this just a threaded joint. Or are we going to haveMoreIn so we want to open it up to look and see is this just a threaded joint. Or are we going to have to open up more of the brick. And mortar the wall. Inside in order to solder.

How do you replace a hose bib on a brick house?

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.

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.

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.

Why is it Dangerous to Ignore a Water Leak?

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.

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 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.

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 do you need to inspect plumbing fittings?

All water and plumbing fittings need to be regularly inspected and serviced to prevent leaks and structural damage to the home. While it’s easy to ignore a leak when it starts, you should make sure you get it fixed once you notice one as soon as possible.

How to fix a spigot that won't turn?

Spray more lubricant if you still can't turn it. Hold the spigot steady with a pair of adjustable pliers if you have to bear down on a problem nut frozen by corrosion.

What is spigot valve?

Spigots have a basic compression valve that tightens a washer onto the valve seat when you turn the handle . Leaks happen when the washer or the packing around the handle wears out. To replace either of these worn components, you have to remove the packing nut.

How to fix a leaking faucet handle?

If the only problem with the faucet is a small amount of water leaking from the handle, you may be able to fix it by tightening the packing nut with a wrench.

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.

How to unthread a water spigot?

Using a pipe wrench, turn your spigot counterclockwise to unthread the connection to the water line. Once the spigot is fully disconnected, you should be able to remove it from the building.

How long is a spigot?

The spigot that rests on the outside of your building is actually a pipe that's between eight and 16 inches long. On the end of the pipe is a “male” threaded connection. Using a pipe wrench, turn your spigot counterclockwise to unthread the connection to the water line (Image 2).

What type of plastic is used for spigots?

A Word on Water Supply Lines. The pipes running to your spigot are either copper, PVC plastic (white or yellow) or PEX plastic (blue and red). Copper pipes are rigid. They'll make unscrewing your spigot relatively easy because they won't move while you’re unscrewing a fixture.

What to do when disconnecting a pipe?

Shut Off Water. The first thing you need to do when disconnecting a pipe is to shut off the water to the house. Water is constantly flowing from the municipal pipe at the street to your house; stopping that flow of water will keep things dry while you work on your plumbing project.

Do you need to turn on a spigot?

You’ll need to turn your spigot on in order to drain the water line. Once all of the water has drained out of the line, you’re ready to remove the spigot.

Can you replace an outside hose 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.

Can you cut PEX line above a spigot?

If you’re replacing a spigot and your house water lines are PEX, you may want to simply cut the PEX line just above the spigot. Once the line is cut, add a “female” threaded shark-bit fitting and twist on your new spigot. At one point or another, you are going to have to replace an outside hose spigot.

How to fix a loose spigot?

Determining what the problem is can help you with an efficient repair. Many times you will find that something is loose and you just need to use a wrench to tighten it. Explore the spigot and check to make sure that everything is secure and if not, use a wrench to fix the problem. If this does not work, you may be dealing with a washer problem. this can be easily solved by taking the spigot apart and then replacing the washer.

How to remove a spigot from a washer?

Remove any screws holding the spigot on with a screwdriver and pull the hardware off. Once you have the spigot and handles off, you will need a wrench to get inside and remove the nut. Once you remove the nut you will be able to see the washer sitting back there. Remove and discard the washer. While everything is still apart, you can take this time to clean out the spigot and the insides to get rid of any build up that could be causing a blockage.

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.

How to fix a leaky shower spigot?

If the problem is only a small amount of water dripping from the handle, you might be able to fix it by tightening the packing nut. Make sure the water is turned off before unscrewing the packing nut, or you will have an unintended shower.

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, ...

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