Hose bib and outdoor faucet repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What hose bib and outdoor faucet repair is

Hose bib and outdoor faucet repair fixes a dripping or cracked outdoor spigot, replaces a worn washer or stem, or swaps in a frost-resistant faucet and checks the connection inside the wall. Outdoor faucets fail from freezing, worn washers, and hose pressure, and each one has a different fix.

Signs you need it

  • The spigot drips from the spout even when the handle is fully closed
  • Water leaks from the wall behind the spigot, or the siding or the wall around it is wet
  • The handle is loose, or the stem turns freely without shutting the water off
  • The spigot cracked or split after a freeze, and water comes out of the body
  • Water pressure is low at the hose, or the spigot makes a banging noise when opened

What the pro does

  • Shut off the supply to the spigot from inside the house, and open the spigot to drain the line
  • Remove the handle and the packing nut, and check the stem and the washer for wear, cracks and mineral build-up
  • Replace the stem washer or the stem assembly with the correct part for the spigot brand
  • Check the vacuum breaker on the spout, and replace it if it leaks or does not seal
  • If the spigot is frost-resistant, check the length and the inside connection, and confirm it slopes to drain
  • Turn the water back on from inside, check the spigot for leaks, and check the wall around it for wetness

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Type of spigot: a standard hose bib, a frost-free sillcock, or a wall hydrant each need different parts
  • Whether the stem, the washer or the whole spigot must be replaced
  • Freeze damage to the body or the inside pipe, which may need opening the wall
  • Access to the inside connection, including the basement, crawlspace or exterior wall
  • Whether the vacuum breaker or the backflow device must be replaced
  • Condition of the shutoff valve that feeds the spigot

What a written quote should spell out

  • Spigot type and brand, and the part or whole fixture replaced
  • Stem and washer replacement, or the full spigot if it is cracked
  • Vacuum breaker, if replaced or added
  • Inside connection checked, and the slope to drain confirmed for a frost-resistant spigot
  • Whether the wall or siding is opened, and who restores it

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is this a frost-free spigot, and does it slope to drain inside the wall?
  • Is the drip from the stem or from the spout, and how did you find it?
  • Will you replace the vacuum breaker, and is it required for this spigot?
  • Can you check the connection inside the wall without opening the siding?
  • Will you test the spigot before you leave?
  • Should I replace the whole spigot, or is the stem enough?

Red flags

  • Pro who replaces the whole spigot for a worn washer without checking the stem
  • Pro who installs a frost-free spigot without a slope to drain inside the wall
  • Pro who leaves the vacuum breaker off or removes it to stop a leak
  • Pro who does not check the wall around the spigot for water damage

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can replace a worn stem washer on a standard spigot, or tighten a loose handle, with the water shut off inside the house. Call a pro for a cracked body, a frost-free spigot, a leak from the wall, or any work inside the wall, since a wrong slope or a missing drain can freeze the line again.

Licenses and permits

Hose bib and outdoor faucet repair is commonly done by licensed plumbers when it involves the supply line or the wall, and a simple washer change is often done by the homeowner or a handyman. Check with your state or local licensing agency about what applies to your work.

Hose bib and outdoor faucet repair questions

Why does my outdoor faucet drip when it is off?

The stem washer is worn or the seat is damaged. Replacing the washer, or the stem if the washer is fine, usually stops the drip.

What is a frost-free spigot?

It is a spigot with a long stem that shuts the water off inside the wall, so the water in the outdoor part drains out. It stops freezing if it is installed with a slope to drain.

Do I need a vacuum breaker on my outdoor faucet?

A vacuum breaker stops water from flowing back into the supply when a hose is connected. Whether one is required depends on local rules, and the pro should check those rules for your spigot type.

Why did my outdoor faucet crack after a freeze?

Water in the spigot body froze and expanded. A frost-free spigot is designed to drain before it freezes, but only if it was installed with the correct slope, and a hose left attached in freezing weather can still trap water inside it.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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