How to Fix Outdoor Faucets

Outdoor faucet repair is straightforward.

The drip, drip, drip of a leaky outdoor faucet not only adds up to big water bills, but a broken faucet can also prevent lawns and gardens from getting watered. Outdoor faucet repair is a novice-level plumbing project that teaches homeowners valuable plumbing skills. With basic plumbing tools, you can fix your own outdoor faucet, save some money and apply the learned skills to more complex projects.

Things You'll Need

• Two pipe wrenches
• Wire brush
• Lint-free cloth
• Pipe-thread seal tape
• Replacement faucet

Instructions

1. Shut off the water supply to the outdoor faucet. Find a supply valve directly down-line from the faucet or shut off the main water supply to the entire structure. Main water supply valves are located around the perimeter of a building, near water meters, or in valve boxes buried near property lines. Turn the valve's knob clockwise to tighten and shut off the water supply. If applicable, position a quarter-turn valve's handle so that it is perpendicular to the supply pipe.

2. Open the broken outdoor faucet and allow water to drain from the pipes. Let water flow slow to a trickle before moving on.

3. Attach one pipe wrench to the outdoor faucet and another pipe wrench to the faucet's supply pipe. Hold the wrench attached to the supply pipe stationary and gently rotate the other wrench counterclockwise to loosen the faucet. Loosen the faucet by wrench and, when sufficiently loose, finish removing the faucet from the pipe by hand.

4. Clean corrosion, build-up and old pipe-thread seal tape from the pipe's threads with a wire brush. Wipe away debris and dust from the threads with a lint-free cloth.

5. Apply a double-thick layer of pipe-thread seal tape to the male threads of either the pipe or the replacement faucet. Position the pipe's threads against the replacement faucet's threads and turn clockwise to engage the connection. Rotate the faucet clockwise to attach it to the water supply pipe.

6. Tighten the faucet by hand until it can no longer be turned. Attach a wrench to the faucet and turn one-quarter turn farther. If the faucet does not face the correct direction, remove the faucet, clean pipe-thread seal tape from threads and reapply tape. Begin the attachment at a different point than before.

Tips & Warnings

• Use "pipe-dope," a thread-seal putty; it makes sealing threads as easy as squeezing a tube.

• Don't force a faucet that refuses to be removed--you might just break the pipe. Instead, spray lubricant or a pipe-joint loosening liquid onto the fussy joint.

Resources

• Nibco: Hose Bibbs
• Oatey: Pipe Joint and PTFE Tape