How to Set up a Leaking Frost-Proof Faucet

Bank check out these fixes for common 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 billow parts
  • Washer assembly

Project footstep-by-step (5)

Footstep 1

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

Tighten retaining nut

tighten

If you're lucky, you lot tin fix your leaking faucet past just tightening the nut under the handle. Don't crank it hard, though. If snugging it up doesn't solve the trouble, turn off the water and remove the nut to repair the faucet.

Step 2

Remove the stalk

stem

Side by side, remove the faucet stem. It'southward 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 become it to come out.

Step 3

Replace washer assembly

washer

Keep track of the parts every bit you disassemble the faucet so you can install the new ones in the same order.

Stride 4

Remove the vacuum breaker cap

cap

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

Step v

Vacuum breaker parts

breaker

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

Leaky, dripping exterior faucets not only waste h2o but as well dump it next to the foundation, right where you don't want it. Luckily, they're easy to fix. If you take a frost-proof faucet similar the one nosotros show hither, check out these fixes for the virtually mutual problems.

If the faucet leaks from around the handle merely when the h2o is turned on, the stalk packing may be leaking. In some cases, you tin fix this by just tightening the retaining nut that's under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Endeavor tightening the nut slightly (Photograph 1). You lot'll accept to experiment to meet which direction to turn the nut, since some faucets have reversed threads that tighten counterclockwise.

If simple tightening doesn't solve the trouble, you'll have to remove the faucet stem (Photo ii) and supersede the packing gasket. Plow off the water to the exterior faucet by locating the valve inside the house and closing it (or the main water valve). Buy a repair kit that matches your faucet brand and use the packing from the kit. If your faucet still leaks, the stem may be leaking and you should supervene upon 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 end of the long faucet stem. Remove the handle and nut (Photo one) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo 2). Yous may have to plow the stem to "unscrew" information technology before it'll come out. Getting the faucet apart is the difficult part. Later on that, you but replace the one-time parts with new ones. Pay close attention when you accept the parts off (or snap a photo) and so you tin can put the new ones dorsum the aforementioned fashion. Snap off or unscrew the washer assembly and supercede it (Photo iii). Then reassemble the faucet in the opposite guild. If you detect that the faucet starts leaking over again after a short fourth dimension, the valve seat is worn and you lot should replace the unabridged frostproof faucet. If the faucet is attached with threads, you can but plow off the h2o, unscrew the faucet and supervene upon information technology with 1 that's the same length. If it's soldered on, yous'll have to suspension out your torch and soldering tools.

Most frost-proof faucets have a built-in vacuum breaker located on top of the faucet (Photo 4). If yous see water dribbling out from under the cap when the water is running, information technology'south leaking. Photos 4 and v show how to supersede a leaking vacuum breaker. Some repair kits include the parts for this. If not, you'll accept to purchase them separately.