How to Repair a Leaking Outside Faucet

Worn washers often are the problem with leaky hose bibs.

Outdoor faucets are sometimes called hose bibs, spigots or silcocks, and they are compression-type faucets. When you turn the handle to turn this type of faucet off, the valve stem is tightened against the water inlet in the valve seat and a washer on the end of the valve stem stops the water flow. If this washer is worn, or the valve seat is chipped, the faucet will leak. Assuming the body of the faucet itself is not damaged, these are the only things that can go wrong it.

Things You'll Need

• Channel-locking pliers
• Screwdriver
• Spray lubricant

Instructions

1. Tighten the nut under the handle that holds the valve stem with channel-locking pliers. If water is dripping from the handle or spout, this may be all it takes to stop it. If the leak continues, disassemble the faucet and inspect the valve stem and seat.

2. Turn off the water to the faucet. The shutoff may be under the house or, if the faucet is part of an irrigation system, somewhere in the yard.

3. Unscrew the nut holding the valve stem with channel-locking pliers. If the nut is corroded and is hard to turn, spray lubricant on the threads by pointing the tip of the sprayer up toward the inside of the nut. Wait a few minutes, then try again to unscrew it.

4. Remove the nut and lift the valve stem out of the faucet body. Turn the stem over and inspect the washer on the end. If it appears worn, unscrew the screw holding it in place and remove it.

5. Replace the stem into the faucet and tighten the nut. Turn the water on and test the faucet.

6. Inspect the valve seat if the faucet still leaks after you have replaced the washer. Sometimes there are deposits from the water that accumulate there, preventing the washer from completely seating. Brush the valve seat with a wire brush to remove these obstructions, then reassemble the faucet and test it.

Tips & Warnings

• If water is leaking through chips in the valve seat, you can grind the seat down to remove these. Hose bibs are inexpensive, though, so it's probably easier to replace the faucet.

• Be sure you have the right size replacement washer. The old washer is not a good reference because it is probably stretched or worn.

• Be sure the water is off before you remove the nut holding the valve stem in place, or you will have an uncontrollable fountain of water on your hands.

References

• Bob Vila: How to Repair a Dripping Outdoor Faucet
• Home Addition Plus: How to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet