How to Repair a Leaking Faucet Stem
- Turn off the Water Supply. Locate the shut-off the valve located under the sink, behind the faucet assembly or behind a panel. ...
- Drain the Water. To ensure no water drips off to the floor during repairs, drain the water from the water supply lines.
- Detach the Faucet Handle. ...
- Remove the Stem. ...
- Replace the Washer and Stem. ...
- Turn on the Water Supply. ...
Full Answer
How to repair a leaky faucet stem?
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 replace a faucet valve stem?
To remove the valve:
- Turn off the water to the spigot.
- Unscrew the retaining nut just under the handle using a wrench. ...
- Lift the valve out of the valve housing.
How to fix a loose faucet handle easily?
- Locate the headgear nut under the decorative cap
- Keep the screw and handle somewhere safe so that you find it when you want to put the tap back together.
- Put the plug in the plughole to stop any screws falling down the pipes.
How to repair a dripping outdoor faucet?
To replace an outdoor faucet washer:
- Turn the water off to the faucet.
- Unscrew the packing nut by turning it counterclockwise.
- Pull the handle and stem out of the faucet housing.
- Remove the screw on the end of the stem that holds the rubber washer.
- Replace the rubber washer on the stem with one of the same size.
- Tighten the screw holding the washer back up.
How do you replace a valve stem on an outdoor faucet?
0:343:59Repair 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 remove the outside faucet stem?
Remove the packing nut. This is the hexagonal nut located just behind the faucet handle. Twist it counterclockwise with the adjustable wrench to remove. Pull the faucet handle and valve stem out of the faucet.
How do you fix a broken faucet stem?
1:315:29Faucet stem repair and replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have a plastic stem. You'll need to unscrew the top cap and pop out the stem. A few brassMoreIf you have a plastic stem. You'll need to unscrew the top cap and pop out the stem. A few brass stems need to be removed this way as well.
How do you replace a valve stem on a hose bib?
As I recall, you would follow this procedure...Turn off the water, so no pressure is found at the valve itself.Remove the handle, by unscrewing the small screw in the center. ... Remove the small nut around the stem.Put the handle back on. ... If the stem will not pull out, you need to pull out the packing around the stem.More items...•
How do you replace a faucet stem?
7:288:06How do I replace the stem in my double handle faucet? Part 3YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it faces forward push your cap back in same way on this one there's a C for cold. Put that oneMoreSo it faces forward push your cap back in same way on this one there's a C for cold. Put that one back in push it down now you've learned to change your stem.
What are the parts of an outdoor faucet called?
The 9 Parts of an Outdoor FaucetSupply Pipe. Although the supply pipe isn't a direct component of the outdoor faucet itself, you can't get water without it. ... Wall Mount. ... Faucet Housing and Spigot. ... Valve Seat. ... Stem Washer. ... Spindle (Stem) ... Packing Washer. ... Packing (Bonnet) Nut.More items...•
How do I identify a faucet stem?
It is easiest for us to identify your stem or handle needs by measuring your stem from the left where the washer is attached to the right where the handle fits on the knurled end (The Broached end).Broached ends are unique by manufacturer and is critical when identifying your stem or cartridge.More items...
What does a faucet stem look like?
0:172:48What is a faucet stem and why would I need to replace it? Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe cartridge or stem is basically all the moving parts with inside this faucet it tells how big theMoreThe cartridge or stem is basically all the moving parts with inside this faucet it tells how big the openings are how much hot water how much cold water and allows you to change the temperature.
Why do faucet stems leak?
A leaky stem faucet usually means that the packing is worn out or needs tightening. The packing (which looks like string) keeps water from leaking out around the stem. These faucets have no aerators and are found mostly in laundry rooms and outdoor sinks.
How do you disassemble a hose bib?
0:103:00How To Fix A Leaky Hose Bib | RYCO Plumbing DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're going to unscrew this screw and take the washer off and replace the washer. Unscrew thatMoreSo we're going to unscrew this screw and take the washer off and replace the washer. Unscrew that little quarter inch long screw. And we'll just pry out the the old washer.
How do you fix an outside faucet handle?
0:312:35How 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 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 replace a faucet stem?
Replace it with a new one to stop any leaks if the valve stem appears to be in good condition. An old valve stem may leak, especially after a long, cold winter. Outdoor faucets are built to prevent freezing and bursting under the pressure of harsh winter winds and snow.
Why is my faucet leaking?
A leaking faucet likely has a faulty valve stem. The valve stem is a long tube, about 12 inches, that goes down the water pipe leading from your water supply.
What is an outdoor faucet?
Outdoor faucets, also known as spigots or hose bibs, have compression-style valves. That simply means that when you turn the handle clockwise to shut off the water, the valve stem compresses down onto the valve seat. For this to work, the valve stem and valve housing need to have mating threads. When these threads wear out, you can turn ...
What to do if a spigot keeps turning?
If your spigot handle keeps turning, you definitely have to remove the valve, and once you've done that, you can decide whether to replace it or replace the entire spigot. If the faucet was leaking, you may only have to replace the washer on the end of the valve stem. To remove the valve:
How to remove a retaining nut from a valve?
Unscrew the retaining nut just under the handle using a wrench. If the nut is stuck and hard to turn, spray some lubricant on it or use a wrench with a longer handle. Lift the valve out of the valve housing. Examine the valve by holding it in your hand and turning the handle. The valve seat should advance when you turn the handle clockwise ...
Do outdoor faucets work with frost free faucets?
There are many frost-free outdoor faucet types, but they all work in the same way. Most are essentially identical to conventional compression-valve spigots except that they have extra-long valve housings. When one of these becomes stripped, it does make sense to replace the valve because replacing the entire faucet can be challenging. It usually involves solder, and it's a job best left to a plumber.
How to fix a faucet that leaks from the handle?
In some cases, you can fix this by simply tightening the retaining nut that's under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Try tightening the nut slightly (Photo 1).
How do I fix a leaking faucet?
If you're lucky, you can fix your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut under the handle. Don't crank it hard, though. If snugging it up doesn't solve the problem, turn off the water and remove the nut to repair the faucet.
What to do if your faucet starts leaking?
If you find that the faucet starts leaking again after a short time, the valve seat is worn and you should replace the entire frostproof faucet. If the faucet is attached with threads, you can simply turn off the water, unscrew the faucet and replace it with one that's the same length.
What happens if a faucet spout is leaking?
If your faucet still leaks, the stem may be leaking and you should replace the faucet. 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.
Where is the vacuum breaker on a frost proof faucet?
Most frost-proof faucets have a built-in vacuum breaker located on top of the faucet (Photo 4). If you see water dribbling out from under the cap when the water is running, it's leaking. Photos 4 and 5 show how to replace a leaking vacuum breaker. Some repair kits include the parts for this.
Can a frost proof 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.
Why Do You Have an Outdoor Faucet Leaking from Hole in Stem?
There are several reasons why you might have an outdoor faucet leaking from hole in stem. This includes:
How To Fix A Broken Outside Faucet Pipe?
While having your outdoor faucet leaking from hole in stem might seem unimportant, this can result in severe damages.
When to Replace the Outdoor Faucet?
Just like with most other household elements, you’d probably like to delay replacing of some parts for as long as possible. Not only you might think this will help keep money in your pocket, but you might be sentimentally tied to some object.
To Conclude
We have given you the solution on how to fix your outdoor faucet leaking from hole in stem.
