How to Fix a Leaking Frost-Proof Faucet

Check out these fixes for common faucet issues

Introduction

A leaking frost-proof faucet can waste a lot of water, only fixes are simple, whether the trouble is the faucet stem washer assembly, the vacuum breaker, or just a loose retaining nut.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Replacement vacuum breaker parts
  • Washer assembly

Projection step-by-step (five)

Step ane

Commencement with the retaining nut, then await for other problems

Tighten retaining nut

tighten

If you're lucky, you can set your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut under the handle. Don't crank it hard, though. If snugging it up doesn't solve the problem, turn off the water and remove the nut to repair the faucet.

Step 2

Remove the stalk

stem

Next, remove the faucet stem. It'south easier if you reinstall the handle temporarily so you'll have something to grip. You lot may have to plow the handle to unscrew the faucet stem to get it to come up out.

Step 3

Replace washer assembly

washer

Continue track of the parts as you disassemble the faucet so you can install the new ones in the same gild.

Stride 4

Remove the vacuum breaker cap

cap

Pop off the vacuum breaker cap to admission the parts underneath. Pry from both sides with a pair of screwdrivers.

Footstep 5

Vacuum breaker parts

breaker

Unscrew the retainer and pull out the vacuum billow. Y'all may be able to ready the leak by simply cleaning the parts and reinstalling them. If this doesn't work, take the parts to the shop to observe replacement parts.

Leaky, dripping exterior faucets not only waste water but besides dump it next to the foundation, right where you don't want information technology. Luckily, they're easy to fix. If you lot accept a frost-proof faucet like the one nosotros show here, check out these fixes for the most common problems.

If the faucet leaks from effectually the handle just when the h2o is turned on, the stem packing may be leaking. In some cases, you can ready this by simply tightening the retaining nut that's under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Effort tightening the nut slightly (Photograph 1). Y'all'll have to experiment to see which direction to turn the nut, since some faucets have reversed threads that tighten counterclockwise.

If simple tightening doesn't solve the problem, you'll have to remove the faucet stem (Photo 2) and replace the packing gasket. Turn off the water to the exterior faucet by locating the valve inside the business firm and closing information technology (or the master h2o valve). Buy a repair kit that matches your faucet brand and employ the packing from the kit. If your faucet yet leaks, the stem may be leaking and you should supersede the faucet.

If your faucet leaks out of the spout when it'due south turned off, the washer is bad. On frost-proof faucets, the washer is located on the end of the long faucet stem. Remove the handle and nut (Photo 1) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo 2). You lot may have to turn the stem to "unscrew" it before it'll come up out. Getting the faucet apart is the hard part. After that, you simply replace the one-time parts with new ones. Pay close attention when you take the parts off (or snap a photograph) so yous can put the new ones back the same style. Snap off or unscrew the washer assembly and supervene upon it (Photo 3). Then reassemble the faucet in the contrary order. If you notice that the faucet starts leaking again after a brusque fourth dimension, the valve seat is worn and yous should replace the entire frostproof faucet. If the faucet is attached with threads, y'all can simply turn off the water, unscrew the faucet and supervene upon it with one that'south the same length. If it's soldered on, yous'll have to intermission out your torch and soldering tools.

Almost frost-proof faucets have a built-in vacuum billow located on top of the faucet (Photograph 4). If you lot run across h2o dribbling out from under the cap when the h2o is running, information technology's leaking. Photos four and 5 show how to supercede a leaking vacuum breaker. Some repair kits include the parts for this. If not, you'll accept to buy them separately.

Originally Published: November 18, 2022