How to Fix a Leaking Frost-Proof Faucet

Cheque 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 just a loose retaining nut.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Replacement vacuum breaker parts
  • Washer assembly

Project pace-by-step (5)

Footstep 1

Showtime with the retaining nut, then look for other problems

Tighten retaining nut

tighten

If y'all're lucky, you can fix your leaking faucet past simply tightening the nut under the handle. Don't creepo it difficult, though. If snugging it upwardly 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's easier if you reinstall the handle temporarily so you'll have something to grip. You may have to turn the handle to unscrew the faucet stem to get it to come out.

Step 3

Supervene upon washer assembly

washer

Keep runway of the parts equally you detach the faucet so you lot tin can install the new ones in the same order.

Step 4

Remove the vacuum breaker 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 retainer and pull out the vacuum billow. You may be able to fix the leak by simply cleaning the parts and reinstalling them. If this doesn't work, have the parts to the store to find replacement parts.

Leaky, dripping outside faucets not only waste matter water only also dump it next to the foundation, right where you don't want it. Luckily, they're easy to fix. If y'all accept a frost-proof faucet like the 1 we show hither, bank check out these fixes for the about mutual problems.

If the faucet leaks from around the handle just when the water is turned on, the stem packing may exist leaking. In some cases, you can gear up this by simply tightening the retaining nut that'due south under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Try tightening the nut slightly (Photo one). You'll take to experiment to see which direction to plow the nut, since some faucets take reversed threads that tighten counterclockwise.

If simple tightening doesn't solve the problem, you'll have to remove the faucet stem (Photograph 2) and replace 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 h2o valve). Buy a repair kit that matches your faucet brand and use the packing from the kit. If your faucet notwithstanding leaks, the stem may be 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 stalk. Remove the handle and nut (Photo 1) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo 2). You may have to turn the stem to "unscrew" it before it'll come out. Getting the faucet apart is the hard part. Afterward that, you simply supplant the old parts with new ones. Pay shut attending when yous have 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 replace information technology (Photo 3). So reassemble the faucet in the contrary society. If you detect that the faucet starts leaking again after a short fourth dimension, the valve seat is worn and you lot should replace the entire frostproof faucet. If the faucet is fastened with threads, you can simply turn off the water, unscrew the faucet and replace it with one that's the same length. If information technology's soldered on, you lot'll accept to pause 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 y'all see water dribbling out from nether the cap when the water is running, it'southward leaking. Photos four and 5 testify how to supersede a leaking vacuum breaker. Some repair kits include the parts for this. If not, you'll take to purchase them separately.