Is your out of doors faucet leaking or dripping? A leaky out of doors faucet may be not solely annoying, but additionally wasteful. In the US, the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) estimates {that a} single leaky faucet can waste as much as 10,000 gallons of water per 12 months. That is a number of wasted water! Fortuitously, altering an outdoor faucet is a comparatively easy plumbing restore that may be accomplished in a couple of hours. Learn on to discover ways to change an outdoor faucet step-by-step.
Earlier than you start, you will want to collect a couple of instruments and supplies, together with a brand new out of doors faucet, a wrench, a screwdriver, and a few plumber’s putty. After you have your instruments and supplies prepared, you possibly can comply with these steps to alter your out of doors faucet. 1. Flip off the water provide to the tap. The water provide is often positioned inside the home, close to the water heater. 2. Open the skin faucet to launch any remaining water stress. 3. Unscrew the previous faucet from the pipe. 4. Apply a bead of plumber’s putty across the threads of the brand new faucet. 5. Screw the brand new faucet onto the pipe. 6. Tighten the tap with the wrench. 7. Activate the water provide to the tap. 8. Examine for leaks. If there are any leaks, tighten the tap additional.
Altering an out of doors faucet is a comparatively easy plumbing restore, however it’s necessary to comply with the steps fastidiously to keep away from leaks. If you happen to’re not snug with plumbing repairs or in the event you encounter any issues, you possibly can all the time name a plumber for assist.
Figuring out the Kind of Faucet
To efficiently change an outdoor faucet, it is essential to first decide its sort. This entails inspecting the tap’s deal with, spout, and total design. Here is an in depth information that can assist you determine the assorted forms of exterior taps:
Compression Taps
Compression taps are the commonest sort of out of doors faucet. They characteristic two handles, one for warm water and one for chilly, which management the movement of water by compressing a washer towards a seat. Compression taps are comparatively straightforward to restore and change.
| Traits | Look |
|---|---|
| Two handles for cold and warm water | Cross handles or lever handles |
| Compression washer seals the water movement | Might require periodic tightening |
| Reasonably priced and broadly out there | Historically styled, but additionally out there in fashionable designs |
Single-Deal with Taps
Single-handle taps provide a extra modern look and ease of use than compression taps. They’ve a single deal with that controls each the temperature and movement of water. Single-handle taps may be categorized into two principal varieties:
Ball Taps
Ball taps use a spherical valve to manage water movement. When the deal with is turned, the ball rotates, permitting water to movement by means of completely different channels and blend. Ball taps are sturdy and comparatively straightforward to restore.
Cartridge Taps
Cartridge taps make the most of a replaceable cartridge that comprises all the interior elements accountable for mixing and controlling water movement. These taps are straightforward to put in and change, making them a sensible choice for DIYers.
Gathering Crucial Instruments and Supplies
Earlier than embarking on this job, it is essential to collect all the required gear and supplies. This may guarantee a easy and environment friendly substitute course of. Here is a complete listing of things you will want:
Instruments:
| Device | Function |
|---|---|
| Adjustable wrench | Tightening and loosening nuts |
| Faucet wrench | Rotating faucet nut |
| Pliers | Gripping and bending objects |
| Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead) | Eradicating screws |
| Tape measure or ruler | Measuring lengths |
| Security glasses | Eye safety |
Supplies:
- Alternative exterior faucet
- Faucet washer
- Plumber’s tape
- Joint compound (non-obligatory)
- Alternative o-rings (if vital)
Shutting Off the Water Provide
1. **Find the primary water shut-off valve:** That is often positioned within the basement or crawl area close to the place your water provide enters your property.
2. **Flip off the valve:** Use a wrench or pliers to show the valve clockwise till it stops. This may minimize off the water provide to your whole dwelling.
3. **Examine to verify the water is off:** Activate a faucet in the home to verify the water is now not flowing. Whether it is, there could also be one other shut-off valve positioned close to the tap that must be turned off.
4. **Open the tap exterior:** This may assist drain any remaining water from the pipes and make it simpler to work on the tap.
5. **You probably have a frost-free faucet:** There will likely be a drain plug positioned on the backside of the tap. Take away the drain plug to permit any remaining water to empty out.
6. **You probably have a hose bib:** Flip the hose bib on and off a number of occasions to empty any remaining water.
Detaching the Deal with and Stem
Detaching the deal with and stem is an important step in changing an outdoor faucet. Here is do it:
1. Take away the Deal with
Find the screw or cap securing the deal with to the stem. Use a screwdriver or wrench to take away the screw or cap and pull the deal with off.
2. Expose the Stem
As soon as the deal with is eliminated, you will see the stem protruding from the tap physique. There could also be a nut or packing nut holding the stem in place. Use a wrench or pliers to loosen the nut.
3. Loosen the Lock Nut
Beneath the nut or packing nut, you will probably discover a lock nut. Use a wrench to loosen the lock nut, however do not take away it fully.
4. Extract the Stem
Now comes the difficult half. Gently grasp the highest of the stem with an adjustable wrench or pliers. Pull upward to extract the stem from the tap physique. Watch out to not harm the threads.
The stem could also be caught on account of mineral buildup or corrosion. If this occurs, attempt utilizing a penetrating oil to loosen it. Let the oil penetrate for a couple of minutes earlier than trying to extract the stem.
If all else fails, chances are you’ll must seek the advice of a plumber to extract a caught stem.
| Instruments Required: |
|---|
| Screwdriver or wrench |
| Adjustable wrench or pliers |
| Penetrating oil (non-obligatory) |
Changing the Valve Seat
As soon as the stem is eliminated, you will note the valve seat. This can be a small, rubber or plastic washer that sits inside the tap physique and creates a seal towards the stem. If this washer is worn or broken, it might trigger leaks.
To switch the valve seat, merely take away the previous one with a screwdriver or pliers. Watch out to not harm the tap physique. As soon as the previous washer is eliminated, insert the brand new one into the tap physique and tighten it down with a screwdriver.
Changing the O-rings and Washers
The O-rings and washers in a faucet are used to create seals between the completely different elements. Over time, these seals can put on out or turn out to be broken, which might result in leaks.
There are usually two O-rings in a faucet – one which sits between the stem and the deal with, and one which sits between the stem and the tap physique. There may be a washer positioned between the stem and the deal with.
To switch the O-rings and washers, comply with these steps:
- Take away the tap deal with.
- Take away the stem.
- Take away the previous O-rings and washers.
- Apply a small quantity of plumber’s grease to the brand new O-rings and washers.
- Insert the brand new O-rings and washers into the tap physique.
- Reassemble the tap.
To switch the opposite O-ring, comply with these steps:
- Take away the tap deal with.
- Take away the bonnet nut.
- Take away the cartridge.
- Take away the previous O-ring.
- Apply a small quantity of plumber’s grease to the brand new O-ring.
- Insert the brand new O-ring into the cartridge.
- Reassemble the tap.
Reassembling the Stem and Deal with
As soon as the stem has been changed, it is time to reassemble the tap deal with. Here is a step-by-step information:
- Screw on the deal with: Align the deal with with the stem, making certain that the splines or notches match. Rigorously screw the deal with onto the stem till it’s cosy.
- Tighten the setscrew: Find the setscrew on the base of the deal with. Utilizing a small Allen wrench or screwdriver, tighten the setscrew to safe the deal with.
- Reinstall the deal with cap: If the deal with has a detachable cap, place it over the deal with and press all the way down to safe it.
**Putting in a Deal with with a Bonnet:**
Some taps require a bonnet to be put in between the deal with and stem. To do that:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Place the bonnet over the stem. |
| 2 | Align the holes within the bonnet with the holes within the deal with. |
| 3 | Safe the bonnet by inserting the screws by means of the holes and tightening them with a screwdriver. |
As soon as the bonnet is put in, comply with the remaining steps above to complete assembling the deal with.
Connecting the Water Provide Line
Now that the previous faucet is eliminated, it is time to join the brand new water provide line. Here is do it:
- Wrap the threads of the water provide line with Teflon tape, clockwise, to create a watertight seal.
- Rigorously hand-tighten the water provide line onto the outlet pipe coming from your property.
- Use a pair of adjustable pliers to additional tighten the connection, however watch out to not overtighten and harm the pipe or line.
- Examine for leaks by turning on the water provide and observing the joints. If you happen to discover any leaks, tighten the connection additional.
- If the water provide line is just too lengthy, you possibly can trim it utilizing a pipe cutter.
- Wrap the tip of the water provide line with electrical tape to stop sharp edges from slicing into the washer when the tap deal with is turned.
- Thread the water provide line into the inlet of the brand new faucet and tighten it securely utilizing a wrench.
Testing the Faucet for Leaks
As soon as you’ve got put in the brand new faucet, it is time to check it for leaks. Here is a step-by-step information:
- Activate the water provide. Slowly activate the water provide to the tap. Examine for any leaks across the base of the tap, the deal with, and the spout.
- Examine the bottom of the tap. Examine the realm the place the tap meets the sink or countertop. Search for any water droplets or moisture.
- Examine the deal with. Transfer the deal with backwards and forwards a number of occasions. Search for any leaks across the deal with stem or the packing nut.
- Examine the spout. Run water by means of the spout and examine it for any leaks. Search for water droplets or moisture across the spout base or the aerator.
- Use a flashlight. In some instances, leaks may be laborious to identify. Use a flashlight that can assist you examine the tap for any hidden leaks.
- Examine underneath the sink. If you happen to discover a leak underneath the sink, examine the connections between the tap and the water provide strains.
- Tighten any free connections. If you happen to discover any free connections, tighten them utilizing a wrench or pliers.
- Substitute any worn-out elements. If you happen to discover any worn-out elements, comparable to O-rings or washers, change them with new ones.
| Symptom | Potential Trigger | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Leak on the base of the tap | Unfastened connection | Tighten the connection |
| Leak across the deal with | Worn-out O-ring or washer | Substitute the O-ring or washer |
| Leak from the spout | Broken aerator | Substitute the aerator |
Preventative Upkeep for Outside Taps
Shield your out of doors taps from freezing and expensive repairs with proactive upkeep. Listed below are important steps to delay their lifespan and stop complications.
1. Examine Frequently
Examine for leaks, cracks, or free connections. Tighten any free elements and restore or change broken elements promptly.
2. Shut Off Water Provide
Throughout freezing climate, flip off the water provide valve inside your property to stop frozen pipes and tap harm.
3. Drain Remaining Water
After shutting off the water provide, open the tap to launch any remaining water and stop freezing.
4. Insulate Uncovered Pipes
Wrap uncovered faucet pipes with pipe insulation to reduce chilly air publicity and cut back the chance of freezing.
5. Cowl the Faucet
Use a faucet cowl or insulating sleeve to create a further layer of safety towards chilly air.
6. Examine for Broken Hose Bibs
Look at the hose bib (the threaded half the place a hose connects) for cracks or leaks. Substitute broken hose bibs to stop water from seeping into partitions or foundations.
7. Lubricate Transferring Components
Apply a silicone-based lubricant to shifting elements, comparable to the tap deal with and stems, to make sure easy operation and cut back put on and tear.
8. Clear Out Sediment
Take away any gathered sediment from across the faucet base to stop clogging and guarantee correct drainage.
9. Take a look at the Faucet Yearly
As soon as every year, check the tap by turning it on and off. Confirm if it flows easily and shuts off fully.
10. Particular Concerns for Freeze-Susceptible Areas
Faucet Varieties:
| Kind | Freeze Resistance |
|---|---|
| Frost-Free | Sure, supplies built-in safety towards freezing |
| Customary | No, requires extra safety measures |
Extra Safety Measures:
Find out how to Change an Outdoors Faucet
Changing an outdoor faucet is a comparatively easy plumbing restore that may be accomplished in a couple of hours. By following these steps, it can save you your self the price of hiring a plumber.
Supplies you will have:
- New exterior faucet
- Adjustable wrench
- Teflon tape or pipe dope
- Plumber’s putty (non-obligatory)
- Bucket
Steps:
- Flip off the water provide to the tap. There ought to be a shut-off valve positioned inside your own home, close to the water heater or underneath a sink. If there is no such thing as a shut-off valve, you will have to show off the water provide to your whole home.
- Open the tap to launch any remaining water stress.
- Unscrew the previous faucet utilizing an adjustable wrench. If the tap is caught, chances are you’ll want to make use of a penetrating oil to loosen it.
- Apply Teflon tape or pipe dope to the threads of the brand new faucet.
- Screw the brand new faucet onto the water provide pipe. Tighten the tap till it’s cosy, however don’t overtighten it.
- Apply plumber’s putty across the base of the tap to stop leaks.
- Activate the water provide and examine for leaks. If there are any leaks, tighten the tap till the leaks cease.
Folks Additionally Ask
How do I do know if my exterior faucet must be changed?
There are a couple of indicators which will point out that your exterior faucet must be changed:
- Leaking: A leaking faucet is a standard signal that it must be changed. Leaks can happen across the base of the tap, the deal with, or the spout.
- Dripping: A dripping faucet is one other signal that it might must be changed. Dripping can happen even when the tap is turned off.
- Frozen: In case your exterior faucet has frozen, it might have burst. A burst faucet will must be changed.
- Broken: If the tap is broken, it might must be changed. Harm can happen on account of put on and tear, or from being hit by an object.
Can I change an outdoor faucet myself?
Sure, it’s potential to switch an outdoor faucet your self. Nonetheless, it is very important have some fundamental plumbing data and expertise. If you’re not snug working with plumbing, it’s best to rent a plumber to switch the tap for you.
How a lot does it price to switch an outdoor faucet?
The price of changing an outdoor faucet will fluctuate relying on the kind of faucet you select and the labor prices in your space. Nonetheless, you possibly can anticipate to pay between $50 and $200 for the tap and labor.
