Repair a leaking freeze proof faucet by replacing a corroded or faulty valve stem washer that is no longer capable of create a water-tight seal. Turn off the water supply to the faucet spigot at the shut-off valve. The shut-off valve is located on the water supply pipe that leads directly to the faucet.
Full Answer
How to prevent your outdoor faucets from freezing?
Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls. Close all windows near water pipes.
How do you repair an 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 repair a freeze proof faucet?
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. ...
How to unfreeze outdoor faucets?
- To disconnect the hose, turn it to the left or counter-clockwise.
- Wriggle the hose forward and back to remove any debris that's clogging the spigot threads. Lightly tap the spigot with a hammer and spray it with WD-40. ...
- You can also use a hair dryer or heat gun on the spigot to make the metal expand, which will make it easier to remove the hose.
How do you fix a freeze proof outdoor faucet?
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 take apart a frost free faucet?
0:052:55Frost 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.
What happens if outdoor faucet freezes?
Water expands when it freezes, frozen faucets cause burst pipes. Ice takes up nearly 10% more space than the same amount of liquid water does. If the pipe is full of water in the liquid state, there is no room for expansion if the temp drops low enough for the water to freeze over!
How do you repair a frost free Sillcock outdoor faucet?
0:213:15How to Fix a Leaky Frost Free Sillcock / Outdoor Faucet video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOff I'm going to take off the center screw. Then remove the handle. And then underneath this nut isMoreOff I'm going to take off the center screw. Then remove the handle. And then underneath this nut is a washer and a lot of times the problems in this washer.
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.
How do you fix an outside faucet that won't turn on?
1:108:29WATER WON'T COME OUT!...EASY Fix for a Outdoor Water Faucet!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just slap this right. On. Here turn clockwise until it shuts.MoreYou just slap this right. On. Here turn clockwise until it shuts.
Should I leave faucet on if pipes are frozen?
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
Should you let outside faucets drip in freezing weather?
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Should outside faucets be left open or closed in winter?
If you have conventional exterior faucets (AKA sillcock, hose bib, exterior spigot, etc.), you should have a shutoff valve inside which should be closed before freezing temperatures hit.
How do you fix 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.
How do you replace a valve stem on an outside faucet?
0:172:54How to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet that has a Frost-Free Valve StemYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow remove the handle by unscrewing the screw that holds it in place behind the handle you'll find aMoreNow remove the handle by unscrewing the screw that holds it in place behind the handle you'll find a packing nut turning counterclockwise use a wrench to undo the packing nut.
How do I take my faucet apart?
1:502:51How to Remove a Faucet Cartridge - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt using an allen wrench. Then lift it off twist the bonnet nut counterclockwise to remove it liftMoreIt using an allen wrench. Then lift it off twist the bonnet nut counterclockwise to remove it lift out the cam. Then the packing and ball valve remove the seats and springs using a small screwdriver.
How do you take a two handle faucet apart?
1:084:49How to Repair a Leaky Two-Handle Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou will need to remove it by using a wrench to rotate it in the off direction until it threads outMoreYou will need to remove it by using a wrench to rotate it in the off direction until it threads out entirely. Once removed you'll need to take your stem to your local retailer.
How do you take apart a single handle faucet?
0:182:44Repairing a Leaky Single Handle Ball-Type Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis may require using an Allen wrench to loosen the handle. There may be a button that covers theMoreThis may require using an Allen wrench to loosen the handle. There may be a button that covers the screw that needs to be removed first and then you can loosen the screw and remove the lever handle.
How do you take apart a faucet head?
0:333:35Removing Hard Water Deposits From A Faucet Head - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I'll do next is unthread the faucet head from the pullout hose by twisting on the connector.MoreWhat I'll do next is unthread the faucet head from the pullout hose by twisting on the connector. Counterclockwise. When the connector is undone I'll place the rubber o-ring onto the counter.
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.
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).
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.
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 ...
What does it mean when a faucet is frost proof?
A frost-proof faucet can also have a hidden leak in the valve body. The symptom of this type of leak is reduced water pressure coming from the faucet. First, check to make sure that water pressure in other fixtures is normal, and that only the frost-proof spigot is affected. If the frost-proof faucet is the only one affected, ...
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.
Where is the washer on a faucet?
Examing the washer and/or O-rings at the end of the faucet stem and replace them. The washer at the tip of the stem is usually secured by a brass screw. Reassemble the faucet, turn on the water, and test to make sure it no longer leaks. New faucets may use a cartridge mechanism located at the end of the valve stem.
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.
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 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.
Greasy solution for an annoying problem
A dollop of plumber's grease is the best bet for curing the squealing that eventually develops on older, outdoor frost-proof faucets.
Disassembly and lubrication
Remove the handle. Then loosen the packing nut. Reinsert the plastic handle and unscrew out the entire stem.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
What to do if hydrant lever is not fully closed?
If the hydrant lever can't be fully closed, or if the faucet continues to dribble water when the lever is closed, you may need to adjust the hydrant's shutoff. Most hydrants have a square-head setscrew or a lock wheel that can loosened to allow for small adjustments to the position of the lever.
What makes a hydrant frost proof?
But what makes the hydrant frost-proof is a design variation that features a drain port built into the bottom of the valve. When the pump rod and plunger lift away from the valve seat, this drain port is blocked, forcing water to flow up the standpipe. However, when the pump rod and plunger are lowered down to close against the water inlet, ...
How to remove a pump rod?
Remove the Pump Rod. Carefully pull up and remove the long pump rod from inside the standpipe. If necessary, grip the rod with pliers to remove it; use pliers only on the outer portion of the rod, not on the brass spindle. Unscrew the old plunger from the end of the rod, using a screwdriver.
What is a frost free yard hydrant?
A frost-free yard hydrant is really just a variation on a standard compression faucet, in which a plunger at the end of a plunger stem opens and closes against a water inlet to control the flow of water. But in the case of a yard hydrant, the plunger is fitted onto the end of a long pump rod that runs down inside the vertical standpipe to ...
How does a frost free hydrant work?
How a Frost-Free Hydrant Works. A frost-free hydrant can be thought of as a very long compression faucet. The horizontal water pipe running out to the hydrant location from the house must be buried deep enough to be below the frost line, which in some climates can be 4 feet or more below ground. The actual valve body is located at ...
When a pump rod and plunger are lowered down to close against the water inlet, the drain port is
However, when the pump rod and plunger are lowered down to close against the water inlet, the drain port is opened and any water in the standpipe drains away into the ground—the surrounding area is usually packed with gravel to facilitate drainage.
Where do you turn off water lines in your house?
If there's no shutoff valve on the individual water line, you can turn off the water at your home's main shutoff valve .
