Outside Spigot/Faucet Help

[603NH]

Hey folks, first time homeowner here and I've been having some trouble with an outside spigot; I'm hoping someone here may be able to help. I try to read up on and research as much as I can before I turn for help, but everything I've tried as far as tightening the nuts/screws doesn't seem to help. I live in NH so I turned the water off to both spigots in the fall and the one that is giving me trouble is in the front. The home was built in 1986 so its not terribly old and as far as I know the spigots are original. I'll provide some photos of the spigot to give you guys a better idea of what's going on. Any suggestions ? I am hoping its something I can do myself because I'd rather not hire a pro for what seems like a very minor problem. Please let me know what you guys think, thanks !

 

[IFIXH20]

Open the spigot or frost proof hydrant all the way then tighten the large nut. If that do not stop the leak spray, you might have to replace the spigot/ frost proof hydrant. Do you have a basement ?

 

[603NH]

Thanks for the quick response... yes I do have a basement. The large nut (the one that is spraying the leak) is really tough to turn with channel locks. Is it possible that its been soldered? The smaller nut (closer to the turn nozzle) I have been able to turn but it doesn't seem to be doing anything...

I understand what you're saying though. It seems like a tightening of that large nut would do the trick. I just won't budge....

What does that phillips screw at the front of the nozzle control ?

 

[phishfood]

Those can be very difficult to loosen or tighten. There is a seal under there, usually hard plastic, that appears to be leaking. Sometimes some teflon packing will seal that, make sure to remove the plastic seal first. The phillips head screw on top of the handle holds the handle on.

To be honest, when I get a call for a problem like this, unless replacing the entire hose bib is going to be a major undertaking, I replace them. Just too many call backs, redoing it several times, etc, to make repairing a standard hose bib a worthwhile project.

 

[603NH]

Thanks PhishFood - I will try that teflon stuff... what's involved as far as a total replacement? There are two screws on each side of the spigot; what is behind the spigot unit if I were to unscrew those? Copper pipe extension from the basement I assume? ...

 

[phishfood]

That is the million dollar question. Remove those two screws and see if the assembly pulls away from the wall a little bit. If so, get us a picture of what is behind there.

 

[johnjh2o]

You should be able to see what type pipe you have from where you turn it off in the winter.

 

[603NH]

OK, I'll give that a shot... thanks

GO BRUINS !

 

[603NH]

Hey John - the turn off in the basement is just a typical copper line. Not sure the size, maybe 3/4" ?? This pipe appears it would extend out through the wall and end at the spigot, but I am curious as far as the repair. Can you get a 'spigot/bib/faucet' at HD or Lowes and just stick it onto the end of the copper pipe?

When I turn off the water in the basement at this spigot and remove the outside bib will water still run through it? Is there another place I should be turning the water off? Maybe a dumb question...

 

[johnjh2o]

As long as the valve in the basement is good that should be all you have to turn off. The joint for the hose bibb is in the wall. Just cut the copper pipe between the hose bibb and the valve, remove the screws and pull the hose bibb out.

 

[603NH]

Just so we're on the same page, what do you mean by 'hose bib' and 'valve'? What's the difference? What kind of cutting? Seems like a little much for a typical DIY'er

 

[IFIXH20]

The hose bibb = spigot and Valve = water turn off in your basement. If you post some pics of the piping to the spigot (piping in the basement). That will gives us a better understanding of what it will take to make the repair.

 

[603NH]

Here are some photos from the basement showing the turn off valve and the copper line leading out to the spigot/bib. One shows the valve itself, then the copper pipe, then a close up of the pipe going through the sill. What does this tell you?

I am curious to unscrew the outside bib from the exterior wall to see what is behind there. I'll keep you posted... thanks guys