How to Reassemble a Sillcock to Fix a Leak

That leak from an outdoor faucet not only drains water, it drains your wallet by making your water bill skyrocket. Most outdoor faucets use a long-stem compression design known as a freezeless sillcock. While it prevents freezing, it doesn't prevent leaks. After taking apart the exterior assembly to check for problems, it's easy to reassemble the sillcock.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Phillips screwdriver

1. Turn off the water at the shutoff valve or the water meter.

2. Install a new washer, which is the usual problem, and replace the collar. See "How to Replace a Washer to Fix a Leaky Sillcock" under related eHows.

3. Put the handle back on the faucet and reinstall the screw in the center of the handle with a Phillips screwdriver. Tighten the screw well to clamp the handle down on the washer.

4. Go to the shutoff valve or the water meter to turn on the water flow to the faucet.

5. Rotate the handle to the on position. Turn it just slightly, to check that water has been restored.

6. Shut off the faucet when water starts flowing. Wait for a few minutes to see if the sillcock drips. If it continues to drip, you will need to disassemble the sillcock and check for chips or cracks elsewhere. The new washer should fix most drips.

Tips & Warnings

• A leak in a sillcock can go unnoticed for a long time, especially if you don't use outside faucets often. Check your faucets while mowing the grass. This regular routine will prevent large water bills.