How to Repair Freeze Faucet Packing

Outdoor faucet with packing nut visible

Many homeowners make the switch to frost-free outdoor faucets to avoid frozen pipe damage during the cold winter season. Frost-free faucets look and operate like any other outdoor tap. The difference is frost-free faucets have a longer shaft to seal off the flow of water inside the home, rather than at the faucet. When a frost-free faucet develops a leak at the handle stem, the packing seal may need replacement. This is a project the homeowner can accomplish with a few tools in about 20 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Lock-jaw pliers
• Flat-tip screwdriver
• Packing seal

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Instructions

1. Locate the packing nut just behind the faucet handle, and tighten the nut snugly with the adjustable wrench in the event that it is loose. Take care not to overly tighten the packing nut.

2. Return in 30 minutes. If the leak has stopped, you are done. If the faucet is still leaking at the stem, move on.

3. Turn off water supply to the frost-free faucet.

4. Open the faucet to relieve any residual pressure in the water line.

5. Remove the faucet handle retaining screw, using the screwdriver. If the handle is secured with a nut, use the adjustable wrench to remove the nut and handle from the faucet stem.

6. Grip the body of the faucet with the lock-jaw pliers

7. Remove the packing nut by turning the nut counterclockwise with the adjustable wrench.

8. Pull the stem assembly from the body of the faucet.

9. Remove the packing nut from the stem assembly by sliding it off the handle end of the stem.

10. Use the flat-tip screwdriver to pry and remove the old packing seal from the inside of the packing nut.

11. Wipe any residue or old material from the inside of the packing nut.

12. Install the new packing seal inside the faucet packing nut securely.

13. Place the packing nut with the newly installed seal onto the faucet stem.

14. Insert the faucet stem into the body of the faucet.

15. Turn the packing nut clockwise and hand-tighten.

16. Place the lock-jaw pliers onto the body of the frost-free faucet.

17. Tighten the packing nut snugly with the adjustable wrench while holding faucet firmly with the lock-jaw pliers.

18. Place the faucet handle onto the stem, and secure with the retaining screw or bolt. Use the screwdriver or the adjustable wrench as needed.

19. Restore the water supply to the outdoor frost-free faucet, and check for leak.

References

• Bob Vila: How to Repair a Dripping Outdoor Faucet