Hose Bib Repair Instructions

Hose bib is also known as outside faucet. You know the faucets located on the outside walls, usually located on the back or the front of your home’s walls, sometimes you can also located on the sides.

How to repair outside faucets? When should you repair or replace it?

Outside Faucet:

In previous pages, I have clearly stated that I personally prefer to replace a leaking faucet vs. repairing it, however, when dealing with outside faucets, the circumstances might be a little bit different.

Most outside faucets when start leaking is because they are pretty bad and, replacing them will likely be the better option, however, replacing a hose bib might not be as easy as a kitchen faucet.

Outside faucet usually involve more steps to get it replaced than a normal faucet, for example: an inside faucet usually has the advantage of open space vs. an outside one.

Hose bib faucet is usually attached to a long piece of pipe that goes through the wall and connects in the water line inside the house. The outdoor faucet piping is normally located inside the wall, in the basement ceiling or under the crawl space.

Whatever is the case, most hose bib piping won’t be exposed, therefore, it is harder to have access to it and, if you are intimidated to breaking drywall, ceiling or going in the crawl space, you should probably contract a professional plumber to do the job for you.

Another challenge involving repairing or replacing a hose bib is that, you might have to do some welding, especially if your outside faucet is connected to copper pipes, if it is connected to galvanized piping will be a bit easier, but, you still have to use some heavy duty tools to get the job done.

Materials And Tools:

In order to complete this task, you will need: an adjustable wrench, graphite packing string, screwdriver, and compression washer, packing washer, socket or socket wrench.

Ps: Please, shut off the water prior to start the task.

Repairing Leaky Outside Faucet:

Step 1: Tightening The Packing Nut:

Is the hose bib leaking around the stem? How to stop the leakage? This is one of the easiest repairs and, it can be done in minutes. If the faucet is leaking is because the packing nut under the handle is loose or damaged.

The first attempt to fix the leakage faucet is to use a wrench to tighten the packing nut. If after you have tried that, the problem persists, move on to second step.

PS: Use a second wrench to hold the faucet in place where it connects to the building when tightening the packing nut.

Step 2: Shut Off The Water Supply:

The dripping is coming from the spout, what to do? If the faucet is leaking from the spout, you will have to remove the faucet. But first, shut off the water supply to the outside faucet.

Most hose bib has a shut off valve installed on the same pipe that comes from the outside faucet and, it should be located inside the house right on the other side of the wall, if not shut off valve is located, shut off the main valve for the house.

Step 3: Remove The Valve Assembly:

How to remove the valve assembly? To do that, you must first open the faucet completely. Then, you loosen the valve assembly with an adjustable wrench on the section beneath the packing nut and above the spout.

PS: Use a second wrench to hold the faucet in place where it connects to the building when loosening the section beneath the packing nut and above the spout. Then remove the valve assembly.

Step 4: Remove The Packing Nut Washer:

How to remove packing nut washer? You do that by using a socket wrench, you first remove the retainer nut that attaches the faucet handle. Secondly, you unscrew the packing nut with an adjustable wrench, and thirdly, you remove the nut by sliding it up the stem.

PS: Use a screwdriver to pry out the packing washer.

Step 5: Replace The Packing Nut:

How to replace an old and damage packing washer with a new matching washer?

You first slide the packing nut back over the stem and tighten with an adjustable wrench.

Then, you replace the handle and retaining nut or screw. Make to tighten the retaining nut with a socket wrench or screwdriver.

Step 6: Leaking Spout

How to stop dripping water from the spout? To fix this particular problem, you will have to remove and replace the compression washer inside the valve assembly.

You remove the compression washer by using a screwdriver, then, you unscrew and remove the retaining screw from it. And, finally, you remove the worn compression washer with a small-bladed screwdriver.

Step 7: Replacing Compression Washer:

Replacing a compression washer should be fairly simple and, you do that by doing the following: First, you remove the old compression washer and replace it with a new matching washer.

Then, you replace the retaining screw, and screw the new compression washer in place with a screwdriver. That’s it.

Step 8: Re-attaching The Valve Assembly:

Do you remember how you disassembled the valve? Anyways, you first, open the handle of the valve completely.

Then, re-assemble the faucet by screwing the valve assembly into the faucet fixture.

You tighten the valve stem assembly with an adjustable wrench. To perform this task, you hold the valve with your free hand while tightening the valve assembly. The packing nut should remain loose.

PS: Once again, use a second wrench to hold the faucet in place where it connects to the building.

Step 9: Tightening The Packing Nut:

Now it is time to tighten the packing nut, do you remember what you did in the beginning? Anyways, you tighten the packing nut with the help of an adjustable wrench.

You carefully tighten the valve stem packing nut until snug. Do not force to much otherwise, you will damage or brake the new part.

Close the faucet valve handle and turn on the water supply to the faucet.

Check for leaks, if not leak is detected, you have solved the problem, otherwise, you will have to make some adjustments or even, consider replace the hose bib.

PS: If the hose bib needs to be replaced, you might consider contracting a professional.

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