How to Fix a Leaking Frost-Proof Faucet

Bank check out these fixes for common faucet problems

Introduction

A leaking frost-proof faucet can waste product a lot of h2o, merely 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 step-by-stride (five)

Step i

Get-go with the retaining nut, then wait for other issues

Tighten retaining nut

tighten

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

Step two

Remove the stalk

stem

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

Step 3

Replace washer assembly

washer

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

Stride 4

Remove the vacuum breaker cap

cap

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

Stride 5

Vacuum breaker parts

breaker

Unscrew the retainer and pull out the vacuum billow. Yous may exist able to fix the leak by simply cleaning the parts and reinstalling them. If this doesn't work, take the parts to the store to find replacement parts.

Leaky, dripping outside faucets not only waste water just also dump it side by side to the foundation, correct where you lot don't want information technology. Luckily, they're like shooting fish in a barrel to prepare. If y'all have a frost-proof faucet like the i we prove here, bank check out these fixes for the most common problems.

If the faucet leaks from around the handle just when the water is turned on, the stem packing may be leaking. In some cases, you can fix this by simply tightening the retaining nut that's under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Try tightening the nut slightly (Photo 1). Yous'll have to experiment to see which direction to plough the nut, since some faucets have reversed threads that tighten counterclockwise.

If unproblematic tightening doesn't solve the problem, you'll have to remove the faucet stem (Photo 2) and replace the packing gasket. Plow off the water to the outside faucet by locating the valve inside the house and endmost 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 exist leaking and y'all 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 end of the long faucet stem. Remove the handle and nut (Photo ane) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo ii). Y'all may take to plow the stem to "unscrew" it before information technology'll come out. Getting the faucet autonomously is the hard part. After that, you simply replace the quondam parts with new ones. Pay close attention when you lot take the parts off (or snap a photo) so y'all tin can put the new ones back the same way. Snap off or unscrew the washer assembly and supervene upon it (Photograph three). So reassemble the faucet in the reverse order. If you lot find that the faucet starts leaking over again after a brusk time, the valve seat is worn and you should replace the unabridged frostproof faucet. If the faucet is attached with threads, yous tin can but turn off the water, unscrew the faucet and replace it with i that'southward the same length. If it's soldered on, you'll have to break out your torch and soldering tools.

Almost frost-proof faucets have a congenital-in vacuum breaker located on top of the faucet (Photo four). If you see water dribbling out from nether the cap when the water is running, information technology'southward leaking. Photos 4 and 5 evidence how to replace a leaking vacuum breaker. Some repair kits include the parts for this. If not, y'all'll take to purchase them separately.

Originally Published: November 18, 2022