Repair Leaking Outdoor Faucet
Why It Matters
A dripping outdoor faucet wastes hundreds of gallons monthly and can freeze and burst the pipe behind it in winter.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Adjustable wrench, Screwdriver, Plumber's grease. Materials required: Faucet repair kit with washers and O-rings.
- 2
Perform the repair leaking outdoor faucet
Replace the washer, O-ring, or packing nut in a dripping outdoor hose bib. Safety note: Turn off interior shutoff valve before disassembling.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If if the faucet body is cracked or corroded through, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver
- Plumber's grease
Materials
- Faucet repair kit with washers and O-rings
Community Tips
Turn off the water supply at the outdoor faucet's shutoff valve before disassembling, as outdoor faucets often lack individual shut-offs and draining the entire system wastes time; if no valve exists, shut off the main water supply and open all indoor faucets to depressurize the line. A Watts Water Products freeze-proof faucet repair kit ($12-18) includes all necessary washers and O-rings sized for standard 3/4-inch outdoor connections, eliminating multiple trips to source individual components.
An adjustable wrench rated for plumbing work like the Channellock 808 ($15-22) grips faucet packing nuts without slipping, preventing stripped brass that forces complete faucet replacement; standard adjustable wrenches often have loose tolerances that round fastener edges during removal.
Plumber's grease must replace standard multi-purpose lubricants on all reassembled faucet threads and O-rings, as petroleum-based greases degrade rubber seals within 6-12 months in outdoor UV exposure; Oatey plumber's grease ($6-10) resists UV breakdown and maintains water-tight seals through freeze-thaw cycles that would cause standard products to fail. ---