Outdoor Faucet Repair for Leaks, Drips & Damaged Hose Bibs
Provides outdoor faucet repair for leaking, damaged, and malfunctioning exterior faucets and hose bibs.
Outdoor Faucet Dripping
A faucet that continues dripping after it's turned off typically has an internal component that is no longer sealing correctly.
Water Leaking
If water appears around the handle when the faucet is turned on, a seal or packing component may have deteriorated.
Pipe Damage
The damage isn't always immediately visible while everything remains frozen. A split pipe may begin leaking only after temperatures rise and water starts flowing again.
Frost-free hose bibs
Frost-free hose bibs are designed to reduce the risk of freezing by shutting water off farther inside the home, where temperatures are generally warmer.
When Should You Call a Plumber?
Whether your hose bib won't stop dripping, leaks around the handle, has poor water flow, or may have been damaged by freezing temperatures
An outdoor faucet may seem like a simple piece of plumbing, but when it starts leaking, won't shut off, loses pressure, or becomes damaged after freezing weather, the problem can extend beyond the fixture you see outside. In some cases, the pipe or connection inside the wall may also be affected.
2 Sons Plumbing and Sewer provides outdoor faucet repair for leaking, damaged, and malfunctioning exterior faucets and hose bibs. Our plumbers can determine whether the problem is isolated to the faucet or involves the plumbing supplying it and recommend the appropriate repair.
If your outdoor faucet isn't working properly, call 2 Sons Plumbing and Sewer at (206) 487-1757 to schedule service.
What's Wrong With My Outdoor Faucet?
Outdoor faucets are exposed to conditions that most indoor plumbing fixtures never experience. Temperature changes, freezing weather, outdoor moisture, frequent hose connections, and normal wear can all take a toll.
Common outdoor faucet problems include:
Some problems require a relatively straightforward fixture repair. Others can indicate damage farther inside the plumbing system.
Why Does My Outdoor Faucet Keep Dripping?
A faucet that continues dripping after it's turned off typically has an internal component that is no longer sealing correctly.
Washers, seals, packing, or other internal parts can wear over time. Mineral buildup and corrosion may also interfere with the faucet's ability to close completely.
Even a slow drip is worth addressing. In addition to wasting water, constant moisture can affect siding, foundations, landscaping, and the area immediately surrounding the faucet.
Depending on the condition and type of fixture, the faucet may be repairable. If it's heavily corroded or deteriorated, replacing the hose bib may provide a more reliable solution.
Water Leaking Around the Faucet Handle
Not every outdoor faucet leak comes from the spout.
If water appears around the handle when the faucet is turned on, a seal or packing component may have deteriorated. You may only notice the leak while actively using the faucet.
This type of problem can sometimes be corrected without replacing the entire fixture.
However, the faucet and nearby plumbing should be inspected for corrosion or other deterioration, particularly if the fixture has been in place for many years.
Could the Pipe Behind My Outdoor Faucet Be Leaking?
Yes, and this is one of the more important outdoor faucet problems to recognize.
A hose bib connects to plumbing that passes through the exterior wall. If that pipe or connection cracks, water may leak inside the wall, crawl space, basement, or another concealed area rather than outside where you can easily see it.
Watch for unexplained moisture on interior walls, damp areas near the faucet location, water appearing inside the home when the outdoor faucet is used, or unusual water sounds.
If water is escaping behind the wall, stop using the faucet until the plumbing can be inspected.
Frozen Outdoor Faucets and Pipe Damage
Exterior plumbing is particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
Water remaining inside an exposed faucet or connected pipe can freeze and expand. That pressure may crack the faucet, fitting, or pipe.
The damage isn't always immediately visible while everything remains frozen. A split pipe may begin leaking only after temperatures rise and water starts flowing again.
If an outdoor faucet stops working during a freeze or behaves differently afterward, inspect the surrounding area carefully for signs of leakage.
Frost-Free Outdoor Faucet Problems
Frost-free hose bibs are designed to reduce the risk of freezing by shutting water off farther inside the home, where temperatures are generally warmer.
However, they can still develop problems.
Leaving a garden hose attached during freezing weather can prevent water from draining properly from the faucet. Internal components can also wear or become damaged over time.
A frost-free faucet that's dripping, leaking inside the wall, or failing to shut off should be inspected to determine whether it can be repaired or needs replacement.
Repair or Replace an Outdoor Faucet?
Not every malfunctioning outdoor faucet needs to be replaced.
Minor problems involving seals or other serviceable components may be repairable when the fixture is otherwise in good condition.
Replacement may make more sense when the faucet is badly corroded, cracked, freeze-damaged, repeatedly leaking, or no longer operating correctly.
If replacement is necessary, the condition of the pipe and connection behind the faucet should also be checked before the new fixture is installed.
How Can You Protect Outdoor Faucets?
A few simple steps can help reduce problems with exterior plumbing.
Disconnect garden hoses before freezing weather and avoid leaving attachments connected that prevent the faucet from draining. Insulated faucet covers can provide additional protection during cold periods.
If your outdoor plumbing has a dedicated interior shutoff, winter preparation may include closing that valve and draining the exterior line when appropriate for the plumbing configuration.
Most importantly, don't ignore a faucet that starts behaving differently after a freeze.
Get Your Outdoor Faucet Working Again
Whether your hose bib won't stop dripping, leaks around the handle, has poor water flow, or may have been damaged by freezing temperatures, 2 Sons Plumbing and Sewer can inspect the faucet and the plumbing behind it to determine what needs to be fixed.
Call 2 Sons Plumbing and Sewer at (206) 487-1757 to schedule outdoor faucet repair.