How Do I Repair a Leaking Outdoor Faucet?

In Colorado, we get a wide range of weather between early and late spring. With watering season ahead, now is when we find our outdoor spigots and sprinkler systems have sprung a leak.

Our Denver plumbing experts here at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical have put together a guide on how to repair those leaky outdoor faucets, so read on to learn more or call us for help!

What Caused My Outdoor Faucet to Fail?

An outdoor faucet, also known as a spigot or sillcock, is what connects to your garden hose. Leaking around the spigot can be from failed parts or a freeze crack.

How Do I Fix a Leaky Sillcock?

Leaks can come from different parts of your sillcock. Depending on where the leak is coming from, there are various ways to fix the leaks.

A handle Stem Leak

Your spigot has a cord wrapped at the bottom of the handle stem. If you notice a leak around the threads near the handle stem and mounting nut you can repair it by following these steps:

1. Turn off the water to the spigot
2. Remove the handle of the outdoor faucet by unscrewing it
3. Unscrew the packing nut around the faucet
4. Replace the old packing cord with a new one
5. Reassemble the faucet and reattach the handle

A Worn-Out Cartridge or Stem Washer

A worn-out cartridge or stem washer is one of the more common reasons for a leaky sillcock, identified by water continuing to flow when you close the handle. Follow these steps to repair it:

1. Turn off the water to the spigot
2. Remove the handle of the outdoor faucet by unscrewing it
3. Unscrew the mounting nut around the faucet
4. Examine the washer and rings found at the end of the sillcock stem and replace them
5. Reassemble the water hydrant and turn the water back on

A Valve Body Leak

A valve body leak is identified by low pressure. If the water pressure is fine in the rest of your home, you likely have a leak in the body of the faucet. This leak is common when water freezes in the valve body and may be inside a wall or under the house. To repair this type of leak, you’ll need to replace the entire sillcock.

Extreme temperature fluctuations can affect the performance and longevity of an outdoor faucet. When temperatures drop, the faucet can cause pipes to freeze and cause a leak. To avoid bursting pipes due to temperature fluctuations, you may want to install a frost-free hose bib. With a frost-free faucet, when you turn the water off, it stops behind the valve inside your house leaving no water to freeze in the pipes.

Get Help from the Denver Plumbing Pros!

If you need help with indoor or outdoor plumbing, contact the licensed plumbers in Denver and beyond at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. Call us today!