A dripping outdoor faucet is an unnecessary waste of water and may even cause damage to the home. Even a small leak adds up to a lot of wasted water each month. Inspect all outdoor faucets at least twice each year and repair or replace those that leak.

The first thing to try when dealing with a leaky faucet is to simply tighten the packing nut located right behind the handle. Hold the faucet steady with a pair of pliers and turn the nut clockwise. If this does not work, the rubber washer inside may have become hard or brittle over time and need to be replaced.

Prior to further work on an outdoor faucet, assemble all tools and replacement parts needed. Then turn off the water. Always securely support the pipe to which the faucet is attached while twisting on the faucet. Take the faucet apart and inspect the interior of the valve to ensure that the valve seat is smooth and free of corrosion or debris. If all appears in good condition, replace the washer, reassemble and test.

It is often preferable to replace rather than to repair the problem faucet. Again, be sure to securely support the pipe and have all needed tools and parts at hand. Also, be sure to have a contingency plan in the event of an unforeseen disaster. For instance, plan repairs for a time when a plumber or additional parts are readily available. For difficult or speciality faucets, it is advisable to consult a plumbing professional rather than attempt the repair yourself.

Tags: Plumbing, Tap, WATER

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 at 2:14 pm and is filed under Appliances, DIY, Garden, Interesting, Plumbing, WATER. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.