Outdoor water spigots or hose bibbs are often installed outside your home so that you can attach a hose for watering your garden or washing items. They can also develop leaks as indoor faucets.
Outdoor water spigots leaking may go unnoticed for a long time because they are out of sight. When this happens, water will waste away, and there will be a surge in utility bills. Depending on the location of the water spigot, persistent leaks can affect the home’s structural integrity, warns TrueNestPM.com.
For these reasons, it is essential to know why your outdoor water spigot is leaking and also repair the damage on time. Doing so will help you protect your plumbing fixtures, save money, and conserve water.
Why is it vital to know about outdoor water spigot leaking?
Outdoor spigot leaks are alarming, no matter how slow they may be. Daily slow leaks will lead to wasting hundreds of gallons every year.
If you have two outdoor water spigots leaking at 30 drops per minute, that translates to 86,400 drips per day. Such leaks will lead to wastage of 7 gallons of water every day and 2777 gallons per year if you do not fix it. That leak can provide enough water to bathe 55 times a year. Instead of wasting such an amount of money on leaks, it is more cost-effective to hire a plumber for the repairs.
How outdoor water spigot leaking can damage a property
Wasting money on water bills is not the only issue with outdoor water spigots leaking. Other serious problems may arise. Such issues include:
- Flooding and water damage
- Foundation damage
- Mold and mildew
Possible causes of outdoor spigot leaking
Outdoor spigots leak when there is a malfunction or wear in one of the parts. Your outdoor water spigots will start leaking if there are:
- Frozen
- Loose parking nuts
- Worn-out washers in the spigot
- Residues
- Clogs
- Damaged pipes
Frost damage is the most common cause of outdoor water spigot leaking. Pipes freeze during winter. When this happens, there is expansion and contraction of the metals. That can cause the fixtures to crack. It is advisable to replace the spigot with a new one if it is too old. Doing so will save you time and effort.
Sometimes, outdoor water spigot leaking may not be due to a problem with the spigots but the supplying pipes. That usually happens if you do not drain the pipes before winter. As a result, water will freeze and damage them. You will notice this issue when water drips from the surrounding exterior walls the first time you open the tap during spring.
How to check for water leaks
Sometimes, the leaks may be silent or hard to notice. In such cases, you will need to be more attentive to identify the leak. There is a quick test to help you do this.
- Put your hand or thumb over the opening of the spigot.
- Turn on the water and observe the water pressure.
- If the pressure is too much and you cannot stop all the water from flowing, your spigot is intact.
- If you can stop all the water from flowing when you turn on the tap, there is a leak.
How to fix your outdoor water spigot leaking
There are some minor water spigot leaks that you can fix yourself. However, always hire a local plumber if it is something you cannot handle. The steps to repair your leaking spigot will depend on the cause.
If it involves a loose packing nut, follow these steps:
- Check behind the handle to locate the loose packing nut.
- Fit a pair of adjustable pliers over the packing nut.
- Tighten the packing nut.
For leaks resulting from a worn-out washer, you will need to replace it by following the steps:
- Turn off the water supply to the home.
- Loosen the packing nut.
- Remove the valve stem.
- Loosen the old washer.
- Replace it with a new washer of appropriate diameter and thickness.
- Tighten the new washer in place.
- Replace the valve stem.
- Replace and tighten the packing nuts.
- Turn on the water supply to your home.
- Inspect to see if the outdoor water spigot is still leaking.
How to prevent outdoor water spigot leaking
You can reduce the possibility of experiencing outdoor water spigot leaks by taking the necessary precautions. It will involve winterizing your pipes. Follow these steps:
- Disconnect the spigot before winter arrives and apply a faucet cover.
- Empty the outdoor pipes before winter.
- Install frost-proof outdoor spigots.
The best option is to install modern frost-proof spigots. They also have an anti-siphon device that protects water from contamination.
The bottom line
Minor leaks will lead to water wastage and property damage. Sometimes, underground water leaks also accompany outdoor water spigot leaks. It is advisable to hire a professional plumber to help you inspect and fix outdoor water spigot leaks.