Repairing Guides

how to repair an outdoor faucet leak

by Kamille Robel Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • 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.

Full Answer

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. ...

More items...

How to fix a leaking outdoor faucet?

Start with the retaining nut, then look for other problems

  • Tighten retaining nut. If you're lucky, you can fix your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut under the handle. ...
  • Remove the stem. Next, remove the faucet stem. ...
  • 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. ...
  • Vacuum breaker parts. ...

How to repair a noisy outdoor faucet?

Noise Problem Can Originate From Upstream Fittings

  1. Expansion Tank Problem If you have got an expansion tank along with the water heater, the water logging in the outlet pipe would also cause vibration and noise. ...
  2. Water Heater Problem If you don’t have an expansion tank, the problem may lie at the check valve on your main water inlet. ...
  3. Pressure Relief Valve Problem

How do you repair an outdoor water faucet?

Things You'll Need

  • Spray lubricant
  • Two pipe wrenches
  • Stiff bristled brush
  • Teflon tape
  • New faucet

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How do you stop an outside faucet from leaking?

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.

Why is my outside faucet leaking when turned off?

If your faucet leaks out of the spout when it's turned off, the washer is bad. On frost-proof faucets, the washer is located on the end of the long faucet stem. Remove the handle and nut (Photo 1) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo 2). You may have to turn the stem to “unscrew” it before it'll come out.

How do you fix an outdoor faucet that leaks when a hose is attached?

0:442:23EASY: Fix Leaky Garden Hose to Spigot Connection - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to remove the washer the easiest way in my opinion is to use a pair of needle nose pliers to pullMoreSo to remove the washer the easiest way in my opinion is to use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it out and this one doesn't look really bad. But sometimes the now on washers expand.

How do you replace a rubber seal on an outdoor faucet?

0:522:47How To Fix A Leaky Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just unscrew the handle. Slide the top off. And then there you can see there's a rubber gasketMoreYou just unscrew the handle. Slide the top off. And then there you can see there's a rubber gasket right there and also a little metal washer underneath it.

Where is the outdoor water shut-off valve?

The main water shutoff valve supplies water to your entire home, and is usually located below the outdoor water faucet, or hose bibb, in the front of your home, or in the enclosure that houses an outside water heater.

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.

Can you use plumbers tape on garden hose?

You are not supposed to put PTFE tape on garden hose connections, as the rubber gasket is what is supposed to provide the seal. When the connection leaks, it indicates that the gasket is worn (or the connection is not tight enough).

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 take apart an outdoor faucet?

2:248:11How to Rebuild a Hose Spigot | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're going to see just what's going on inside. So let's see if we can get this apart with someMoreAnd we're going to see just what's going on inside. So let's see if we can get this apart with some water pump pliers. For good measure i'm going to hold back with a wrench.

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?

0:062:01Temporary Way To Cap Off Leaking Hose Bibb Or Water Supply If You ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy different companies so i went ahead. And uh. You know connected it here instead turn the coldMoreBy different companies so i went ahead. And uh. You know connected it here instead turn the cold water off. And then just connected the hose here just to seal it off temporarily.

Why does my hose leak at the spigot?

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 do you fix outside faucet that won't shut 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 fix a faucet that won't turn off?

0:382:06How to turn off a faucet that keeps running - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can simply take a wrench. And then catch the square edges of the faucet inter-workings. And turnMoreYou can simply take a wrench. And then catch the square edges of the faucet inter-workings. And turn it off to the right or turn it on to the left.

Do all outdoor faucets have shut off valves?

Exterior faucets should have a separate shutoff valve inside the house, but not all of them do. In older homes, these valves are typically located at the ceiling somewhere close to the outside faucet. In newer homes, the valves are typically located right next to the main water valve, and they're also usually labeled.

How do you replace a valve stem on an outdoor faucet?

0:463:59Repair Outdoor Faucet - traditional style - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's pretty simple you're just going to unscrew the screw. Replace the washer put the screw back inMoreIt's pretty simple you're just going to unscrew the screw. Replace the washer put the screw back in you don't need to be super tight on that you're just going to Snug it down.

How do I fix a leaky outdoor faucet?

Most leaky outdoor faucets can be repaired with a simple turn of the wrench, but if the faucet still leaks after you’ve tightened the packing nut, you’ll need to replace the rubber washer on the end of the valve stem. Turn the water off at the water meter using a cut-off key.

How to get water back on a hose bib?

Push the valve stem back into the hose bibb housing. Tighten the packing nut on the hose bibb until snug. Use the cut-off key to turn the water back on at the meter. Turn the spigot back on to remove any air from the line. Check for leaks around the packing nut on the valve stem. Turn the faucet off and check the spigot for leaks.

Can I repair a leaky outside faucet?

Easy Repairs for Your Outdoor Faucet. Over time, outdoor faucets, also known as hose bibbs, begin to drip or leak around the handle, and it’s important to repair them as soon as you notice the problem. Another common problem on outside spigots is leaking around the valve stem when you turn the water on. You can easily repair both of these problems.

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.

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