How to Repair a Leaking Garden Hose Spigot

Types of Outdoor Faucet Leaks

Outdoor hose bibs (spigots) can leak from three locations: from the spout when the valve is closed (internal washer failure), from around the handle when the valve is open (packing failure), or from behind the escutcheon where the faucet enters the wall (pipe connection issue or frost damage). Each type of leak has a different cause and repair. Outdoor faucet leaks often go unnoticed because the water drips onto the ground, but they can waste thousands of gallons over a season and may cause foundation moisture problems.

Replacing the Stem Washer

If the faucet drips from the spout when turned off, the rubber seat washer at the end of the stem has worn out. Turn off the water supply to the faucet (there should be a shut-off valve inside the house). Remove the handle screw and pull off the handle. Use a wrench to unscrew the packing nut, then turn the stem counterclockwise to remove it completely. Replace the rubber washer at the bottom of the stem (held by a brass screw) with an exact-match replacement. Apply silicone grease to the new washer and reassemble.

Fixing Packing Leaks

If water leaks around the stem when the faucet is on (dripping from behind the handle), the packing material needs replacement. You can try tightening the packing nut first — a quarter turn clockwise may compress the existing packing enough to stop the leak. If tightening does not work, remove the packing nut, pull out the old packing material, and wrap new graphite packing string around the stem (clockwise, three to four wraps). Reassemble the packing nut and test with the water on.

When to Replace the Entire Faucet

If the faucet body is cracked (often from freezing), corroded through, or the valve seat is too damaged for a washer to seal against, replace the entire faucet. Turn off the interior shut-off valve. From inside the house, disconnect the faucet from the supply pipe (unscrew or unsolder depending on connection type). Pull the old faucet out through the wall. Install the new faucet (preferably a frost-free model with a longer stem) by sliding it through the wall from outside and connecting to the supply pipe inside. Ensure a slight downward pitch from inside to outside so water drains properly in frost-free designs.