How to Fix a Leaking Frost-Proof Faucet

Check out these fixes for mutual faucet problems

Introduction

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

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Replacement vacuum breaker parts
  • Washer assembly

Project step-by-step (5)

Stride ane

Start with the retaining nut, then look for other bug

Tighten retaining nut

tighten

If yous're lucky, you can set up your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut under the handle. Don't crank it hard, though. If snugging it upward doesn't solve the problem, turn off the h2o and remove the nut to repair the faucet.

Step two

Remove the stem

stem

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

Step iii

Supersede washer associates

washer

Keep rail of the parts as y'all disassemble the faucet and so y'all can install the new ones in the same order.

Pace iv

Remove the vacuum breaker cap

cap

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

Step 5

Vacuum breaker parts

breaker

Unscrew the retainer and pull out the vacuum breaker. You may exist able to ready the leak by simply cleaning the parts and reinstalling them. If this doesn't work, have the parts to the store to observe replacement parts.

Leaky, dripping exterior faucets non only waste material water but also dump it next to the foundation, right where yous don't want information technology. Luckily, they're easy to fix. If you have a frost-proof faucet like the 1 we show hither, check out these fixes for the most common problems.

If the faucet leaks from around the handle but when the h2o is turned on, the stalk packing may be leaking. In some cases, y'all tin ready this past simply tightening the retaining nut that's nether the handle. Remove the screw in the heart of the handle and pull the handle off. Endeavour tightening the nut slightly (Photograph 1). You'll accept to experiment to see which direction to plow 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 stalk (Photo 2) and supplant the packing gasket. Plow off the water to the exterior faucet by locating the valve inside the house and closing information technology (or the main water valve). Buy a repair kit that matches your faucet brand and use the packing from the kit. If your faucet withal leaks, the stem may exist leaking and you should replace the faucet.

If your faucet leaks out of the spout when it'south turned off, the washer is bad. On frost-proof faucets, the washer is located on the end of the long faucet stalk. Remove the handle and nut (Photo one) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photograph 2). Yous may take to turn the stem to "unscrew" it before information technology'll come out. Getting the faucet apart is the hard part. Later on that, you simply supplant the old parts with new ones. Pay close attention when yous accept the parts off (or snap a photo) so you can put the new ones back the same way. Snap off or unscrew the washer assembly and supercede information technology (Photo 3). Then reassemble the faucet in the opposite club. If you discover that the faucet starts leaking again after a curt time, the valve seat is worn and you should replace the entire frostproof faucet. If the faucet is attached with threads, y'all can merely turn off the water, unscrew the faucet and supercede it with one that'south the aforementioned length. If it's soldered on, yous'll have to break out your torch and soldering tools.

About frost-proof faucets have a built-in vacuum breaker located on top of the faucet (Photo iv). If you see water dribbling out from under the cap when the water is running, it'due south leaking. Photos 4 and 5 show how to supplant a leaking vacuum breaker. Some repair kits include the parts for this. If not, you'll have to buy them separately.

Originally Published: November 18, 2022