Replacing Your Outdoor Faucet
Outdoor faucets (also known as water spigots or hose bibs) suffer from a great deal of use and wear, causing them to leak over time. Unfortunately, your faucet will not last forever and will need to be changed at some point.
The good news is that changing out an outdoor faucet isn’t that difficult. In fact, if you have a toolkit and the appropriate replacement, it is simple to do yourself.
Determining Whether Your Outdoor Faucet Needs to Be Replaced
There are a few frequent problems that indicate it’s time for a replacement. Here are a few examples:
Dripping
While dripping may appear to be a small irritation at first, it can cause your water costs to rise and even trigger other, more serious problems. Most importantly, damp ground serves as an excellent breeding ground for fungus, bacteria, and pests that can cause damage to your home.
Irregular Water Pressure
This is often a clue that something has gone wrong inside your faucet. If the water pressure is fine elsewhere on your property but the spigot is not, it may be time to replace it.
Rust or Corrosion
If you observe rust or other buildup on the outside of your spigot, it may be more than just an eyesore. Exterior accumulation can signal interior corrosion, which can make the water dangerous or completely destroy the faucet.
Repaired or Replaced?
You’ve most likely noticed that your spigot is leaking, but is it just a little repair, such as replacing a washer, or do you need to replace it entirely? Examine the handle, stem, and supply pipe for any visible signs of damage. Is it leaking from the handle, the spout, or the point where it connects to the main supply pipe?
If the handle is leaking, try tightening the packing nut or replacing the washer(s) first (see the photo below). Remove the spigot, inspect the threads for deterioration, clean the threads, and wrap them with Teflon tape if it’s leaking from the connection to the supply pipe.
If the spout is leaking, the inner mechanism may be destroyed, and it’s probably easier and less expensive to just replace the entire thing.
How to Replace an Outdoor Faucet
If your faucet is damaged beyond repair, you can replace it by following these easy steps.
- Buy a replacement faucet.
- To avoid problems while installing the new spigot, turn off the water supply to the house.
- Unscrew the valve to drain the water from the existing faucet. A second wrench might be used to keep the pipe in place.
- Drill holes in the concrete to aid in the removal of the present faucet. Drilling into the current faucet is not permitted.
- Remove the old faucet from the wall. Move the faucet counterclockwise with a big wrench until it comes loose.
- Screw the new faucet into the old faucet’s location. To prevent leaks, tightly twist it in.
- Restart the water supply to confirm that there are no leaks and that the faucet works properly.
- Fill the spaces with concrete and allow it to dry.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, you can replace your outdoor faucet by following these steps and having the right replacement on hand. Need more guidance? Take a look at this video that walks you through how to do this!
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing help with your outdoor faucets. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem.
We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
