How to Repair an Outside Faucet

An outside faucet can be a great addition to the patio area of your home. When it is not working properly and leaking, it can become a liability, skyrocketing your water bill as well as wasting precious water. To be environmentally friendly and nice to your pocketbook, fix a leaky faucet as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Packing nut washer
• Compression washer
• Small flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Tighten the nut directly behind the handle of the faucet. This is the packing nut. In most cases, if the leak occurs at the handle, the packing nut is the cause. Tightening it will eliminate any leaks in this area. Generally, leaks occur from the spout, which requires more in-depth repair.

2. Shut off the water supply to the faucet or the main water supply should the faucet not have its own shutoff. Open the valve on the faucet completely by turning the handle all the way open. Place an adjustable wrench directly behind the packing nut. Loosen the handle assembly (stem) and remove the faucet.

3. Replace the packing nut by loosening the nut inside the handle, and remove the handle from the stem. Unscrew the packing nut and slide it up the stem to remove. Inside the packing nut there will be either a rubber packing washer or a graphite packing strip.

4. Use a small flat-head screwdriver to pry the old washer out of the packing nut. Replace it with an identical washer. Slide the packing nut onto the stem. If an identical washer is not available, wrap a graphite packing strip around the stem. Holding the strip in place, slide the packing nut onto stem, and tighten. Use a wrench to tighten the packing nut. To replace the compression washer, unscrew the retaining screw, and replace the worn washer using s small flat-head screwdriver.

5. Reassemble the faucet, with the packing nut slightly loose and the valve (handle) fully opened. Screw the valve stem assembly into the faucet. While holding the faucet with your hand, tighten the valve stem assembly with a wrench. Gently tighten the packing nut.

6. Close the valve (handle). Turn the water supply on. Your faucet is ready to use and is leak free.

Tips & Warnings

• When turning water off, if the main water valve must be shut off, open all water valve in the home.

• Do not over-tighten the packing nut. This will cause the washer to become faulty.