How to Fix a Leaking Frost-Proof Faucet

Check out these fixes for common faucet problems

Introduction

A leaking frost-proof faucet tin can waste a lot of h2o, but fixes are unproblematic, whether the problem is the faucet stem washer associates, the vacuum breaker, or just a loose retaining nut.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Replacement vacuum breaker parts
  • Washer assembly

Project step-past-step (5)

Pace ane

Start with the retaining nut, and then look for other problems

Tighten retaining nut

tighten

If you lot're lucky, you tin fix your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut nether the handle. Don't crank it hard, though. If snugging it up doesn't solve the problem, turn off the h2o and remove the nut to repair the faucet.

Pace 2

Remove the stalk

stem

Side by side, remove the faucet stem. It's easier if yous reinstall the handle temporarily and then you'll have something to grip. You may have to turn the handle to unscrew the faucet stem to become information technology to come out.

Pace three

Replace washer assembly

washer

Keep rail of the parts as you detach the faucet so you can install the new ones in the aforementioned order.

Pace 4

Remove the vacuum billow cap

cap

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

Step 5

Vacuum breaker parts

breaker

Unscrew the servant and pull out the vacuum breaker. You may be able to prepare the leak by merely cleaning the parts and reinstalling them. If this doesn't work, take the parts to the store to find replacement parts.

Leaky, dripping exterior faucets not only waste water but also dump it next to the foundation, right where you don't want it. Luckily, they're easy to fix. If yous have a frost-proof faucet like the one nosotros show here, check out these fixes for the nearly common issues.

If the faucet leaks from around the handle just when the water is turned on, the stalk packing may be leaking. In some cases, you tin can fix this by simply tightening the retaining nut that's nether the handle. Remove the screw in the heart of the handle and pull the handle off. Try tightening the nut slightly (Photo 1). You'll take to experiment to run across which direction to turn the nut, since some faucets have reversed threads that tighten counterclockwise.

If simple tightening doesn't solve the problem, you lot'll take to remove the faucet stem (Photograph 2) and replace the packing gasket. Turn off the h2o to the exterior faucet by locating the valve within the business firm and endmost it (or the main water valve). Buy a repair kit that matches your faucet make and apply the packing from the kit. If your faucet still leaks, the stem may exist leaking and you should replace the faucet.

If your faucet leaks out of the spout when it's turned off, the washer is bad. On frost-proof faucets, the washer is located on the finish of the long faucet stem. Remove the handle and nut (Photograph ane) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo 2). You may have to plow the stem to "unscrew" it earlier it'll come out. Getting the faucet apart is the hard role. Later that, yous just replace the old parts with new ones. Pay close attention when you take the parts off (or snap a photo) and then you lot can put the new ones back the same way. Snap off or unscrew the washer assembly and replace information technology (Photo 3). So reassemble the faucet in the contrary order. If you find 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 simply plow off the h2o, unscrew the faucet and supplant information technology with one that'south the same length. If it's soldered on, you lot'll have to break out your torch and soldering tools.

Most frost-proof faucets have a congenital-in vacuum breaker located on top of the faucet (Photo 4). If you come across water dribbling out from under the cap when the water is running, it's leaking. Photos 4 and five show how to replace a leaking vacuum breaker. Some repair kits include the parts for this. If not, you'll have to buy them separately.