How do I get my outside spigot to stop dripping?

Question

I turned the water off to the outside spigot and left it open in preparation for winter and the water consistently drips. How do I fix this problem to get the drip to stop? Please be detailed as I have minimal experience in spigot repair.

Answer 1

Using a pliers try to tighten the valve a little more. (Don't use too much pressure)

If this don't shut it off tight, the valve inside needs a new washer.

Turn off water to the valve. (Follow the pipes until you get to a valve)

It may be the main water shut off.

Turn off the water.

Open a valve some where that is lower than the valve you will be working on. (Other wise water in the house will drain out at the the valve you will be fixing) Or you can open the spigot out side.
You want to make sure that water will drain out of the pipes from a pipe lower than the one you are working on.

Next remove the stem (If the valve has a lever & is shut off tight you may need a new valve) from the valve that turned off the out side spigot.

First from the handle will be a nut (This is a packing nut.)
Next will be the part of the stem that screws in to the body of the valve. This is where you put your wrench & turn it out counter clock wise.

After that part is loose & away from the body of the valve you have to turn the handle to screw the stem out of the body.

At the end of the stem should be a screw & a washer.
Remove the screw & washer & replace with the right size waster.
Replace the screw & screw the stem into the valve body.
Turn the valve off & turn on the water supply.

Some times with older valves you may get a drip from the stem when working on them. A slight turn clockwise on the packing nut
should stop that drip.

Check it out is every thing OK?

Answer 2

If you know where the Main Water Valve is to your property, usually a T Bar or a good wrench will close it. Locate that valve, it is normally near the Water Meter.
Now that you have visually inspected that and confirmed that you have access to it, you want to go to a hardware store and get the items that you plan on repairing or replaceing. 1 Exterior Water Valve. 1 T Bar. 1 Adjustbale Wrench. 1 Adjustable Wrench.
While at the hardware store. in the Plumbing Department, ask the sales person if they have a CD or DVD or printed instructions on how to repair or replace that.
Close the main valve. Then open a spigot,not the one you are working on, to release the pressure. Then you will want to remove the Non Working Spigot, place Teflon Tape on the Threads, place the new Spigot on.Go close that one that you opened to release tghe pressure with, Open the Main, check for leaks.
The 2 wrenches are important becuase you need one to hold the Pipe and one to turn the Nut.

Answer 3

Leaky Spigot

Answer 4

The piece that you are calling the spigot is supposed to be open for winter. If there is water in it, it might freeze and break the pipe.

It is the water shutoff inside the house than needed to be closed. This is on the water line that goes to the outside.

Try tightening it, by hand, even tighter. If it won't stop dripping, the shutoff valve is defective. You can repair or replace it. You should not have to put a tool on it to tighten it, but if you do be careful not to break it.

Answer 5

Repairing the spigot, in most cases, is more costly than simply replacing it. A cheap spigot can be purchased for under $5.00.

Answer 6

this might help, you have a nut where handle enter spigot tighten nut slowly and see if drip stops,if you get nut to tight spigot handle will not move in or out ,hopes this helps.

Answer 7

The washer or seat in the valve is either obstucted or worn. Its a simple device.Tkae it apart with the water pressure off of it.Examine the rubber parts and replace or clean if necessary. Lubricate them with silicone lubrican only. If your not confident trying this call a professional.

Answer 8

you need a new washer on the inside...