Hose bib question?

Question

We have an exterior hose bib that is leaking. When we try to twist it off the copper line it just trys to twist the interior line with it as well so we don't know how to get it off so we can replace it. Any ideas on how to get the stupid thing off so we can fix it? Thanks!!

The hose bib is directly attached to the interior copper line and there isn't enough to pull out of the house. We can't even tell how it is attached to the line.

Did I mention we kinda fubared the tab trying to get it off already? The handle won't screw on anymore. I hate this tap! Thanks for the help!!! :)

Answer 1

Copper is soldered so can break easily - be careful. You will need to get a wrench on the fitting where the hose bib screws in at the end of the copper line. Hold that fitting steady while you turn the hose bib counter clockwise. Us a BIG crescent wrench for lots of leverage. Will need two people. Put a 12" piece of 1" PVC over the handle of the wrench for more leverage if it still does not turn.

Answer 2

Listen to Barbouu - pull the valve stem and change the washer. The bib could be on threaded connection that you cannot see, but it might still have frozen threads and be hard to remove. It could be soldered on and you'll get yourself in trouble if you start trying to desolder that joint in tight quarters with not experience. Or it could be a forst proof sillcock in which case the actual connection is about a foot back fro, the exterior wall and only accessible from basement or crawlspace.

It's all trouble - but changing the washer is a few minutes work and very likely to do the trick. When you replace the stem do not overtighten or the packing will be too compressed and the handle will not turn easily. If it leaks around the handle, then tighten a bit more. If that doesn't work, go back to the hardware store and learn to "repack" - still a far better choice than replacing the whole faucet.

Answer 3

Ecampmont has a good idea, however, to carry that a little further, get a can of mapp gas and lighter and heat the outer bib and the removal will come easy. drain the water 1st as the water cuts down the ability to heat the bib to temp.

edit: barrbou21 has one also, you figure out which is the lesser of two evils or should I say cost.

Answer 4

Turn off the well.
Get a torch.
Heat the bib with the torch to melt the solder that's holding the adapter.pull off with plyers and replace both.

Answer 5

nicely, the guy that fixed it is going to "restoration" it lower back, with a good high quality heavy-duty brass valve. meanwhile, you will come across a hose attachment on the backyard area of the ironmongery store that has a turn-off valve. they arrive in singles and "y" types, many times 2 or 3 inches long, in the two brass or plastic. connect that to the tip of your hose bib to maintain it from dripping..

Answer 6

if you have been twisting on it the other end will be kinked you will have to shut off the water cut off the damaged copper solder a new female adapter on it or remove guts of new one and solder directly ( pay attention to top and bottom ) mark at the end , inside to identify so you don't install upside down for future reference all parts are replaceable unless it freezes and busts

Answer 7

you don't have to remove the whole thing. right below the handle
that turns the water on is a packing nut, first turn off the water to the home, remove the handle, then remove the packing nut and then pull the valve stem out. on the bottom of the valve stem is a rubber washer that is the part that needs to be replaced, take the
whole thing to a hardware store and they will sell you the correct size. reassembly is in reverse order of disassembly.