General Plumbing

Routine

Easy DIY

Outdoor Faucet Leaking

Exterior faucet or hose bib dripping or leaking

Estimated Time

20-40 minutes

Urgency Level

Routine

Tools Required

3 items

Problem Overview

An outdoor faucet leak might seem like a minor annoyance, but it represents a significant weak point in your home's plumbing system. These exterior fixtures, also called hose bibs or sillcocks, face harsh conditions that indoor plumbing never encounters. They're exposed to temperature extremes, UV radiation, physical impacts from yard work, and in northern climates, the relentless threat of freezing damage.

Most outdoor faucet leaks fall into two categories. The first is a dripping spout when the faucet is turned off, typically caused by worn internal washers or valve seats damaged by mineral deposits and constant use. The second, more concerning type, is leaking from the handle or where the faucet connects to the house. These leaks indicate compromised seals that allow water behind your exterior walls.

Frost-free or freeze-proof faucets extend the valve mechanism 6 to 12 inches inside your house wall, where ambient heat keeps water from freezing. These designs prevent frozen pipes but add complexity to repairs. When the internal washer fails on a frost-free model, you can't just replace the exterior components. The entire stem assembly must be withdrawn through the outside faucet housing.

Why Outdoor Faucets Fail

Freezing temperatures crack faucet bodies and rupture supply pipes
Leaving hoses attached prevents proper drainage in frost-free models
Worn washers and O-rings deteriorate from exposure and use
Loose packing nuts around handles allow leaks at the stem
Corrosion from mineral-rich water damages valve seats

Signs & Symptoms

Catching outdoor faucet problems early prevents water damage to your foundation, siding, and interior walls. Regular inspection catches issues before they become expensive emergencies.

Active Leak Indicators

Dripping spout: Continuous drip even when handle is fully closed indicates worn washer
Handle leaks: Water seeping around handle when faucet is on means failed packing nut seal
Connection leaks: Water emerging where faucet meets house points to pipe or fitting failure
Reduced water pressure: Weak flow suggests internal damage or partial blockage
Spraying water: Leaks from faucet body indicate cracks from freeze damage

Hidden Damage Signs

Wet spots on basement walls directly behind exterior faucet
Mold or mildew smell near interior wall where faucet penetrates
Soil erosion or constant wet ground below faucet
Ice buildup around faucet during winter months
Staining on siding or foundation below the faucet
Handle requires excessive force to turn on or off

Damage inside walls from frozen outdoor faucets often goes unnoticed until spring thaw. Watch for water stains appearing on interior walls near exterior faucets after winter. This delayed evidence means pipes ruptured during freezing weather but the leak only became visible once ice melted.

DIY Solutions

Tools You'll Need:

Wrench
Replacement washer
Plumber's tape

Safety First

Always shut off the water supply before attempting repairs. Locate the shut-off valve inside your house that controls the outdoor faucet. If no dedicated valve exists, you'll need to shut off your home's main water supply. Wear safety glasses when working with wrenches on tight fittings.

Fix for Dripping Spout (Worn Washer)

Turn off the water supply and open the faucet to drain remaining water. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the packing nut (the large hexagonal nut right behind the handle). Turn the handle counterclockwise to unscrew and remove the entire valve stem assembly. You'll see a rubber washer secured by a brass screw at the end of the stem.

Remove the screw and old washer. Take it to a hardware store to match the exact size. Washers cost less than a dollar. Install the new washer, making sure the flat side faces the brass screw. Reassemble in reverse order. For frost-free faucets, the stem pulls straight out after removing the packing nut, but it's much longer, extending 12 inches or more.

Fix for Handle Leaks (Packing Nut)

If water leaks around the handle when the faucet runs, the packing nut needs tightening or the O-ring needs replacement. With water on, use a wrench to gently tighten the packing nut by turning clockwise. Small adjustments matter. Quarter turns often stop the leak without requiring disassembly.

If tightening doesn't work, shut off water and remove the packing nut completely. You'll find one or more O-rings underneath. These rubber rings compress to create a watertight seal around the valve stem. Replace them with exact-size matches from the hardware store. A small tube of plumber's grease helps O-rings slide into place and extends their life.

Winterization to Prevent Future Leaks

Before first freeze, disconnect all hoses and spray nozzles. Water trapped in attached hoses prevents frost-free faucets from draining properly, which leads directly to freeze damage. Locate the interior shut-off valve for each outdoor faucet and close it completely. Open the outdoor faucet to drain water from the line.

Many frost-free faucet failures happen because homeowners don't realize hoses must be removed. The faucet valve sits 12 inches inside the warm house, but if a hose blocks the spout, water can't drain from the pipe section outside the heated space. That trapped water freezes and cracks the faucet body.

Installing Freeze Protection

Foam faucet covers provide an extra layer of protection for standard outdoor faucets. These insulated bags strap over the faucet and cost $5-10. They're not necessary for frost-free models that are properly winterized, but they help if you live in areas with extreme cold snaps.

When to Call a Professional

While many outdoor faucet repairs are DIY-friendly, certain situations require professional expertise to prevent costly water damage or ensure proper frost protection.

Call a Plumber When

Water leaks from where faucet connects to house structure
Faucet body shows visible cracks or breaks from freeze damage
No interior shut-off valve exists for the outdoor faucet
You see water stains on interior walls near the outdoor faucet location
Supply pipe behind faucet needs replacement
Faucet requires complete replacement and involves soldered copper connections
You want to upgrade from standard faucet to frost-free model
Multiple outdoor faucets have failed simultaneously

Leaks behind siding or inside walls escalate quickly. Water damage to framing, insulation, and interior finishes costs far more than prompt professional repair. If you discover water where the faucet penetrates your home's exterior, shut off the water supply immediately and call a plumber.

What a Professional Will Do

Professional plumbers handle outdoor faucet issues with efficiency that comes from doing these repairs regularly. They arrive with complete assortments of washers, O-rings, and replacement parts, eliminating the multiple hardware store trips that plague DIY efforts.

Diagnostic Assessment

The plumber inspects both the visible faucet and the supply system behind it. They check for proper slope on frost-free models, ensuring water drains away from the valve seat when closed. Improper installation angle causes water to pool in the barrel, leading to freeze damage even on "frost-proof" faucets.

They'll test water pressure and flow rate to identify restrictions that indicate internal corrosion or mineral buildup. If the faucet shows freeze damage, they inspect associated supply pipes inside walls for ruptures or weakened sections that will fail later.

Professional Repair Services

Complete rebuild: Replacing all internal components including valve seat, washer, and seals
Faucet replacement: Installing new frost-free or standard outdoor faucet with proper mounting
Supply line repair: Replacing damaged pipe sections behind exterior walls
Shut-off valve installation: Adding dedicated interior shutoffs for seasonal control
Vacuum breaker installation: Installing anti-siphon devices to meet code requirements
Upgrade to frost-free: Converting standard faucets to freeze-resistant models with extended stems

Code Compliance and Backflow Prevention

Modern codes require vacuum breakers or backflow preventers on outdoor faucets to protect drinking water from contamination. When hoses sit in puddles or swimming pools, siphoning can pull contaminated water back into your home's supply lines. Plumbers ensure outdoor faucets meet current backflow prevention requirements.

They'll also verify proper mounting that prevents strain on pipe connections. Outdoor faucets must be independently supported, not hanging solely from pipe threads. Proper installation includes blocking inside walls or secure attachment to exterior sheathing.

Prevention Tips

Outdoor faucets last decades with minimal maintenance, but a few seasonal tasks prevent the majority of problems and expensive repairs.

Fall Winterization Routine

Remove all hoses and attachments before first freeze warning. This single step prevents most freeze damage.
Close interior shut-off valves that control outdoor faucets. These valves should be located near where supply pipes exit heated spaces.
Open outdoor faucets after closing interior valves to drain remaining water from pipes.
Leave outdoor faucets open through winter. This prevents pressure buildup if any water remains and freezes.
Install foam covers on standard (non-frost-free) faucets in regions with severe winter temperatures.

Spring Inspection

Before turning water back on in spring, inspect faucets for visible cracks or damage. Open the faucet, then slowly open the interior shut-off valve while watching for leaks at the handle, body, and connection points. Start with a trickle, gradually increasing to full pressure. This careful approach catches problems before they flood walls.

Check interior walls near outdoor faucets for water stains or soft spots. Freeze damage sometimes ruptures pipes inside walls without causing immediate exterior leaks. The damage appears later as stains or mold growth.

Year-Round Best Practices

Don't overtighten faucet handles. Excessive force damages washers and valve seats.
Replace worn washers promptly when dripping starts. Delaying allows damaged valve seats to develop.
Avoid leaving hoses pressurized. Shut off the faucet and release pressure from hoses after each use.
Install shut-off valves on each hose if you frequently forget to close faucets.
Schedule faucet inspection during annual plumbing maintenance visits.

Upgrade Considerations

If you live in cold climates and have standard outdoor faucets, consider upgrading to frost-free models during renovation projects. While more expensive initially, frost-free faucets eliminate winterization hassles and prevent freeze damage. The upgrade pays for itself by avoiding even one frozen pipe repair.

Cost Estimates

Outdoor faucet repair costs remain reasonable compared to other plumbing issues, especially when caught early. Prevention costs almost nothing but saves hundreds in emergency repairs.

DIY Materials

Replacement washers: $0.50-2 each
O-ring assortment: $5-10 for complete set
Plumber's grease: $4-8 per tube
Foam faucet cover: $5-12 each
Standard outdoor faucet (DIY install): $15-40
Frost-free faucet (DIY install): $30-80 depending on length

Professional Repairs

Service call and diagnosis: $100-200
Washer and seal replacement: $120-200
Standard faucet replacement: $200-400
Frost-free faucet installation (new): $300-600
Frost-free faucet (replacement of existing): $250-450
Shut-off valve installation: $150-300
Vacuum breaker installation: $100-200

Freeze Damage Repairs

Burst pipe repair (accessible): $250-600
Supply line replacement behind walls: $500-1,500
Drywall repair after pipe access: $200-600
Siding removal and replacement: $300-800
Emergency after-hours service: Add $150-300 to standard rates

Cost Prevention Strategy

Spending $10 on foam covers and five minutes removing hoses each fall prevents $1,000+ freeze damage repairs. The math overwhelmingly favors prevention. If you're replacing an outdoor faucet in cold climates, invest in a quality frost-free model. The extra $50-100 upfront eliminates annual winterization tasks and freeze concerns.

For simple repairs like washer replacement, DIY saves the service call fee but requires basic skills and tools. Consider professional service if you're not confident working with plumbing connections or if pipes are soldered copper rather than threaded. Improperly tightened connections cause bigger leaks than the original problem.