Table of Contents
Are you worried about outdoor faucet leaks when turned on? There is nothing new about this problem. It is a silent factor in increasing your utility bills. Not just this, water loss is also a crucial concern. Therefore, fixing the problem as soon as possible will save you from being guilty of water loss and extra cost.
When you observe the leakage and require an expert to help you fix up the damage, they will not charge you a lot. But it is better to know DIY fixes and be a self-sufficient homeowner. In this guide, we will discuss all the factors. Be it the inspection of the primary causes for damage to fixing them yourself.
Damages Caused by outside Faucet Leakage
Damages caused by outdoor faucet leakage can be unattractive and bring you many uninvited guests like bills, accumulated water with mildew growth, and damage costs. Constantly dripping water from the spigot wastes at least 5 gallons of water per day, and if you observe twenty drips every minute, it will add up to 5 gallons per day. Leaving it unresolved can make it even worse. There are few other concerns regarding damage caused by leakage mentioned below. You might be looking for installing an outdoor faucet step by step guide.
Mold and mildew growth
Constant leakage of water from the faucet can result in becoming home for mold and mildew. If it remains unchecked, It can cause critical damage to the fixture.
Loss of fixture
Consistent moisture can lead to loss of fixture. The replacement cost is much higher in this case if you need to change the whole faucet.
Home exterior damage
Accumulated water can bring severe damage to the home exterior and basement too. Small puddles in your lawn due to dripping water can destroy the whole look of your home.
Primary causes for the outdoor faucet leakage
A faucet leak is a very unpleasant scenario. But do not worry. You only need to figure out the major causes of the damage to fix them. Sometimes, the problem is not that severe, and you can avoid further damage by performing just a little effort. Following are the few causes to be noticed
Loose packing nut
The packing nut is mostly behind or beneath the handle and if it becomes loose. It can cause constant leakage of an outdoor faucet.
Ragged washers
With unchecked and regular usage, the washers of the spigot tend to worn out. It can also lead to leakage.
Frost damage
Before winters, if you do not Drain And shut the pipes, the water inside the pipes freezes. The expansion and contraction of metal result in cracks. That can make the spigot leak.
Wear and tear of handle surroundings
Your outdoor faucet might be leaking due to the wear and tear of the surroundings of the handle.
Blockage in pipes
Debris and mineral residue can cause blockage in pipes and bring damages to them. Cleaning the lines and maintaining the proper check and balance can avoid such blockage and leakage.
How to fix outdoor faucet leakage?
Talking about solving the faucet leakage problem, let us not forget you can do it by yourself. You will hardly need some household tools and some patience. It will be light on your pocket and save you from unexpected damages to your fixtures. Although, it is not feasible to do it yourself in every case. Like installing a new accessory, you need to call the expert. Let’s see below some of the leakage problems and their quick fixes.
For handle leakage
When you are facing leakage around the handle, doing the following steps can help. You can perform the task by using a pair of pliers. Locate the packing nut, and put the pair of pliers around it. Now tighten it and check if it solves the issue.
Replace worn-out washer
To replace the worn-out washer, follow the steps below
- Turn the main water supply off.
- Unscrew the packing nut. You can find it behind the handle.
- Remove the valve stem.
- Unscrew the worn-out washer and replace it with the new one.
- Put back the screw attached to the washer.
- Put back the valve stem.
- Tight the packing nut into its place.
- Turn on the main supply of water and look if it still leaks or not.
Frost proof fixture
Installing frost proof fixture can save you from repair costs arising from time to time. Freezing water during winters will no longer cause any damage to pipes and faucets.
For pipe leakage
Unscrew the faucet and check for the damages on threads. Cover it with Thread sealing tape if necessary. Try this process, if the joint of the pipe is leaking, from where the water supply comes. Brush the thin mesh to clean any debris.
Spout leakage
If your faucet is leaking, the reason could be internal mechanism damage. You can fix it by replacing the faucet. Find the correct size of the faucet and replace it with the damaged one. For this purpose, you will need the following items:
- Pipe wrenches
- Brush for removing debris and dirt. ( brush should be harsh bristles)
- Oil lubricants to loosen up the threads of the faucet
- Hard sealing tape for sealing the threads
- New faucet to replace the old one
- Clean cloth for wiping
Try these fixing procedures after determining the primary causes. It will save you and your outdoor faucet from damages.
Conclusion
It is vital to take quick action if your outdoor faucet leaks when turned on, as it will save you from spending a lot of money on bills. And of course, you do not want to see a swimming pool on your lawn which can happen if it remains unchecked for an extended period. Most probably, with the help of this guide, you will be able to fix it yourself. You will barely need any primary tools and patience to fix the leakage. If the problem is big and you do not want to end up with further wreckage, call the plumber for help.