Every little drip counts when it comes to your water bill. Even a small leak from an outdoor faucet left unfixed can cost you hundreds of dollars more. Not to mention possibly thousands if that leak causes damage to your property’s foundation.
Do you have an outdoor spigot leaking on your property? It’s time to take action and keep more of your hard-earned money in your back pocket. Keep reading to learn how to repair a leaky outdoor faucet or replace it when it has reached the end of its working life.
How to Repair a Leaking Outdoor Faucet
In most situations, a leaking outdoor tap is due to worn or loose parts inside the faucet. If you believe that’s the cause of your leak, take these three steps to solve the issue:
- Get leaky faucet repair underway by inspecting the external area of the faucet and tightening the packing nut. If the packing nut was loose, it might have been why your faucet was leaking.
- If, after tightening the packing nut, your faucet is still dripping, replace internal components that are prone to wear, such as the washers and screws.
- Do you still have a dripping outdoor faucet? It’s time to purchase a new one. The stem could be old, corroded, and no longer suitable for its intended purpose.
Are you curious about how much your dripping outdoor faucet might have cost you? Use our drip water calculator to find out.
How to Replace An Outdoor Faucet
Unfortunately, you can’t always repair a broken and leaking outdoor faucet. Learn how to replace an outdoor faucet below.
- Buy a frost-proof faucet. This is a preferred faucet type over a standard outdoor model as it prevents water from staying in the exposed section of your pipe, reducing the risk of it freezing and bursting. If you’re unsure which model to buy, ask your local, trusted plumber for advice.
- Turn off the water supply to the house to prevent water wastage and possible flooding.
- Drain the water from the faucet by unscrewing the valve. If needed, you can hold the pipe in place with a wrench.
- If you need to loosen your outdoor faucet, drill holes into the concrete surrounding it, taking care not to drill into the existing faucet.
- Using a large wrench, unscrew the faucet from the wall. You will need to move the faucet counterclockwise until it’s free from the wall and pipe.
- Screw your new frost-proof faucet into the connection of the old faucet. Twist it tightly into place to prevent leaks.
- Turn the water back on – there should be no water leaking from the outdoor faucet handle or the stem.
- Fill any gaps with concrete and leave to dry.
How to Fix a Broken Handle On An Outdoor Faucet
It’s in our nature to want to fix everything we find broken around our properties. However, in the case of an outside water faucet not working because the handle is broken, replacement is the better option. Here’s how to replace a broken faucet handle:
- Locate and unscrew the screw that holds the handle onto the faucet.
- Take the broken handle to your local hardware store to find a matching replacement.
- Screw the new handle onto the existing faucet.
- Test the faucet handle to make sure it’s working as good as new!
Outdoor Faucet Not Turning On? How to Troubleshoot and Fix It
If you turn on your outdoor faucet and no water comes out, you’re likely dealing with more than just a minor issue. This problem is often caused by a blockage in the faucet or a problem with the vacuum breaker. To troubleshoot, start by disassembling the faucet and checking for any visible debris or obstructions. If nothing is found, unscrew the vacuum breaker and inspect it for blockages that might be preventing water flow. Still no luck? At that point, it’s best to contact a licensed plumber to diagnose and fix the issue properly.
Need Help with a Leaky or Broken Outdoor Faucet? Call a Plumber Near You
Whether your outdoor faucet is leaking, has a broken handle, or is not providing water, you deserve a fast solution. Let the experienced team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing® provide it! From leaky faucet repairs and new faucet installations to general plumbing queries, we’re here to help. Call us today or request a job estimate online. We’ll get your faucet back in action in no time.
Has your leaky faucet caused water damage or mould inside your home? We recommend Rainbow International for water damage restoration and mould removal services. Rainbow International is a member of the Neighbourly® community of trusted home service providers, ready to provide disaster restoration services you can trust. Visit the Neighbourly website to learn more.
