How to Repair a Leaky Frost-Free Faucet
Frost-free faucets work by keeping the water supply inside the walls or foundation of your house, which protects it from freezing. They do this by means of a long-stem lever. The rubber washer attached at the end of the stem seals the water out at the valve seat. A broken or worn washer can cause your faucet to leak, which could freeze in cold weather and burst your pipes. Repairing a leaky frost-free faucet involves replacing the washer and also ensuring that the threads on the valve stem are sealed tightly. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Penetrating lubricant
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Rubber washer
- Steel wool
- Pipe thread compound
Instructions
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1
Turn off the water supply. Some outdoor faucets may have a shutoff valve installed nearby. The most common is a shutoff valve in a basement or crawl space. It may also be in an outbuilding or shed. Rotate the shutoff valve clockwise to turn off the water. If you cannot locate a separate shutoff valve, turn off the water supply for the house. Turn off the main valve, which is usually near your water meter.
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2
Unscrew the faucet stem. Adjust the wrench so it fits comfortably around the hexagonal nut just beneath the faucet. Turn counterclockwise to loosen. On tough-to-remove faucets, spray penetrating lubricant and allow time to soak in before unscrewing.
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3
Pull the faucet stem out of the body slowly. Use caution, as the turning lever portion of the frost-free faucet can be quite long and can cause a malfunction if bent.
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4
Turn the faucet over so you can examine the washer at the bottom. Remove the retaining screw at the bottom with a flat-blade screwdriver. Pull the washer from the socket and insert a new one. Secure with the retaining screw. Apply a light coating of silicone grease to the surface to the washer to help seal the valve tight.
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5
Clean the threads on the upper portion of the stem, using steel wool. Apply a coating of pipe thread compound on the threads. Smear it around with your finger to distribute evenly.
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6
Insert the stem into the faucet and pipe slowly. Tighten with the wrench.
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7
Restore the water supply.
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