Last winter I was getting giant icicles hanging from this spigot. I was able to tighten it enough to stop but I knew it was time to fix the valve. These valves are called frost proof hose bibs, frost proof sillcocks and frost proof spigot. Shut off the main water supply to the house. Open the spigot and let it drain.
I used a 1-1/4" wrench to remove the packing nut. If you don't have a large wrench you can use an adjustable open end, a pliers or a pipe wrench.
Simply pull the long stem out of the body.
This shows the stem threads and the bibb washer. The bibb washer is almost always the cause of the leak. When you shut the water off the washer is pushed against the faucet seat which closes the valve. These rubber washers get hard and even crack over time causing the valve to leak.
This shows the stem packing. If the packing is leaking you will get water seeping around the handle when the valve is open.
Unscrew the screw holding the washer to the stem. This screw is usually made of brass so it won't rust and get frozen into the stem.
This is the bibb washer and brass screw. You can see how the washer is dried out deformed and scuffed up. It was also hard to the touch. This was probably a 00 bevel washer when it was new.
I like to clean things up when I repair them. The wire brush takes off old scale and
I never could find a washer shaped like this until I realized this was a deformed 00 bevel washer. You can get 10 of them for 2 bucks at any lowes or home depot.
This shows the end of the stem where the washer goes. Notice how the stem is pitted. This is from over 30 years of use. If the faucet seat that is located in the valve body is pitted a new washer probably won't fix the leak. I this case you need a complete new valve.
Danco 88579 00 Beveled Washers 1/2" OD
I like putting some locktite on the screws to keep them from backing out although I've never had one come out. This isn't necessary.
Make sure you put the screw through the top of the conical section.
Tighten the screw down with a screwdriver.
Once it's tight the washer will crush a bit.
Stick the valve stem back into the valve body.
Tighten the packing nut. Don't over do it. You don''t want to twist the valve.
This is a valve I did about 2 years ago with a flat 00 washer. You can see how its worn over the years.
The 2 year old deformed flat 00 washer on the left and a new one on the right. If you can't get a bevel washer the flat ones work too.
