How to Fix an Outdoor Faucet

You try to turn your outdoor faucet on, only to notice that it is broken, leaking, or not turning on at all. What do you do?

Knowing how to fix an outdoor faucet properly is the key to preventing leaks that can damage your foundation and become a costly hazard to your home.

How to Repair a Leaky Outdoor Faucet

If you’re experiencing a leaky outdoor faucet, it’s most likely due to part of the faucet being loose or worn.

We recommend making this fix quickly, as even small leaks can increase your water bill. Find out how much money you’re spending on your leaks with our water drip calculator.

For a simple leaky faucet repair, follow these three steps:

1. Take a close look at the external area of the faucet and tighten the packing nut. If the packing nut is loose, this could be the reason for the leak.
2. If the leak persists, replace any worn washers, screws, or other internal components that could be allowing leaking water to get through.
3. If you’ve tried both steps and still can’t locate the issue, we recommend purchasing a new faucet, as the issue could simply be that your stem is too old and corroded.

How to Replace an Outdoor Faucet

If your faucet needs to be completely replaced, take these seven steps:

1. Purchase a frost-proof faucet and shut off the water supply to the house to prevent flooding, water waste, and possible damage.
2. Completely drain the water from the faucet by unscrewing the valve. You may need to use a second wrench to hold the pipe in place.
3. You may need to drill holes into the concrete surrounding your outdoor faucet to loosen it. Be careful you don’t drill into the existing faucet.
4. Unscrew the faucet from the wall. You will need to use a large wrench to move the faucet counterclockwise until it comes free from the wall and pipe.
5. Screw the frost-proof faucet back into where the old faucet was. Make sure it’s twisted in tightly to prevent leaks.
6. Turn the water back on and test that there are no leaks and that the new faucet is working properly.
7. Fill in the gaps with concrete and let it dry.

How Do I Fix the Broken Handle on My Faucet?

The best way to fix a broken handle on your faucet is simply to replace it. Here’s how:

1. Find the screw holding the handle to the faucet and unscrew it.
2. Take the broken handle into a local hardware store so you can match the size.
3. Screw the new handle onto the faucet.
4. Test the handle to ensure your new faucet handle is working properly.

Why Isn’t Water Coming Out of My Faucet?

No water coming out of your faucet could mean there’s an issue with the vacuum breaker or a blockage in the faucet. If you’ve taken the faucet apart and found no blockage, unscrew the vacuum breaker and check to see if there are any items there that could prevent water flow.

If you’ve taken the faucet apart and checked the vacuum breaker, you could be dealing with a more serious plumbing issue. Call in a licensed professional for a quality home plumbing diagnosis.

Faucet Repair and Installation Near Me

Do you need help repairing or replacing a broken or leaky outdoor faucet? The experts at your local Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing are here to help with everything from leaky faucet repair to home plumbing diagnosis. Call or request an estimate online to get started today.