If your outdoor faucet leaks when turned on, it will affect how much water you use and increase your water bills. It can also bring trouble from your neighbors when water is wasted and reduces the supply that gets into their houses.
Luckily, water faucets are easy to fix and do not need complicated tools, meaning you can fix them yourself.
In this piece, you will find most of the possible causes of your faucet leaking and how you will fix them. You will also learn how to prevent future leaks; therefore, read to the end to grasp all the details.
What Is Causing My Outdoor Faucet to Leak?
1. Worn Rubber Washer
If your rubber washer is worn, there is a high chance that your faucet will leak since the rubber holds and acts as a seal between the faucet and the pipe. Repairing your rubber is easy, meaning you can do it yourself with only a few essential tools.
2. Damaged Valve Stem
If the valve on your outdoor faucet is spoilt, then it is likely that your valve system will begin to leak. Here are the main reasons why your valve system is getting damaged;
- Damaged O-ring
- Mineral deposits
- Corrosion
You can only fix this damage by replacing your valve system to restore the proper seal. However, unlike the rubber washer, you need a qualified handyperson or plumber to repair this case.
3. Incorrectly Installed Faucet
If your faucet is not correctly installed, then it will cause a leak every time you open your tap. You will need to contact an experienced electrician to install the faucet for you, to avoid further leaks or permanently damaging the faucet.
4. Loose Compression Nuts
The compression nuts are the essentials of the faucet that bind the valve system together, so you need to tighten them properly to avoid leaks. If they are loose, water will pass through the stem and leak.
If a loose compression nut is a culprit, tighten the open compression nuts basin wrench to fix the leak. The process is easy and does not require a professional or any other complicated equipment, meaning you can d it yourself.
5. Your Faucet Could Be Worn Out Because of Age
As time goes by, due to factors like rusting, the components of your faucet will begin to wear off and cause your pipes to leak. You will note that your valve system will start to rust, and your rubber washer will become brittle.
Therefore, if you notice some of these signs on your faucet, it might be time to replace the faucet system.
Aging of the faucet can bring about high water bills and wastage, which is why you need to check them regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
6. Level of Usage
Another factor you must consider is how long and often you have used your faucet because prolonged use can cause a leak in the pipes. Regular use corrodes the valve stem and the rubber washer, which causes water to leak.
You will also need to check if the compression nuts are well-tightened since long-term use can cause them to become loose, which can cause water leaks.
If you use your taps regularly, ensure you call your plumber as often to fix any broken part early enough before the fixtures start leaking.
Can I Fix My Faucet if the Water Is Still On?
1. Switch off the Taps From the Main Supply
Turning your main supply off will prevent further damage to your faucet.
2. Check if the Faucets and the Components Are Faulty
Checking the state of the faucet and its parts will help you determine why the pipes are leaking and the best solution to avoid any more leaks. Some of the repairs you can fix on your own, but there are those you will need a plumber to assist you with.
3. Check How Tight the Seals and Compression Nuts Are
If the compression nuts are loose, it could be why you leak the pipes. Ensure all the nuts are well fixed to stop any leaks.
4. Replace any Damaged Parts
Carefully check to see if the faucet has any damaged parts to replace. To know if the parts are destroyed, you will see a corroded O-ring, a brittle rubber washer, and a corroded valve system.
5. Reorganize the Faucet Parts
Carefully put all the parts back together to see if the leak has stopped.
6. Test for Any Leaks
Turn on the main water supply and carefully check if you have fixed the leak and if there are any new leaks.
7. Do I Need to Tighten My Faucet?
Ensure all the connections are tightened if the tap is still leaking, as loose connections can cause a leak.
8. Check for Mineral Deposits
Mineral deposits are a common reason faucets get spoilt, so check if any deposits remain. If there are, use a scrubber to carefully remove them before attaching the faucet to the hose.
9. Call a Professional
If making these changes doesn’t solve the leak, there are chances there is a bigger problem with your faucet. To deal with that problem, call a plumber who will diagnose and fix the problem with your faucet.
Is It Common for a Stopper to Leak When Attached to the Hose?
Yes, it can happen if the connection between the two is loose, so you must disconnect and then reconnect them to create a strong bond.
You should check the hose and faucet’s connection more often to ensure they are well-connected and the washer remains intact. If the washer is worn out, you need to replace it before your pipes begin leaking.
The best tool for your hose connection is a wrench designed to tighten the hose with the faucet. If the leak does not resolve even after using a twist, then it may be time to replace the faucet completely,
Why Is My Outside Tap Just Trickling?
Your tap could be having a problem with the valve. You will need to scrutinize your faucet to see which of the reasons are causing your tap to leak.
Here are a few causes of a faulty valve;
- A corroded valve system
- Mineral deposits
- A damaged washer
Do Outdoor Faucets Have Washers?
Yes, a rubber washer is an essential part of the faucet in the valve system at the bottom of the tap. The primary purpose of the washer is to create a firm seal that keeps off water from leaking from the pipes.
Due to wear and time, the washers begin getting brittle over time, and if left untreated, it can use your faucets to start leaking. Therefore, you need to constantly check the state of the rubber washer and replace it when necessary to avoid future water leaks.
Must I Contact a Professional to Fix My Stopper?
No, it’s not necessary to contact a professional to fix your stopper; you can do it on your own. But before you start fixing it, ensure you have researched the basic information about plugs.
Before anything, turn off the water from the main supply to avoid further damage to the faucet as you replace the old faucet with the new one, and reassemble all the parts.
How Much Do I Need to Fix a Spigot?
Each kind of repair has its price range; for a simple replacement like a washer, you may need about $10-$20. However, for a more complicated replacement, like installing a new faucet or valve system, you will need around $50-$100
You can do some of these independently, but for the most complex replacements, you must contact a plumber for assistance. Each plumber has their prices, so you need to inquire and research about their prices to find one with the most friendly prices.
Can You Over-Tighten A Faucet Hose?
If you go beyond the limit, you can over-tighten the faucet and cause it to crack, which then causes leaks. Therefore, when tightening, ensure you pull the faucet just enough to create a firm seal but don’t push beyond the limit.
Likewise, it’s also possible to under-tighten the faucet, which causes leaks through the tap and reduces the pressure passing through the pipes. Hence, you should ensure your lines are tight enough, not too much, or under-tightened to ensure your faucet is functioning optimally.
How Do You Seal Outside Faucets?
The first step is to check if your faucet has any wear or tear, like loose connections and cracks, and fix them.
Then add a thin layer of a waterproof sealant or plumbers putty to the faucet to prevent more leakage. Finally, turn on the water supply to check for leaks; if there are, call a plumber for assistance.
Conclusion
The best way to prevent future leaks through by understanding the central part of your faucet that keeps getting broken and fixing it. You should also check your faucet regularly and resolve any issues early enough before the problems start causing water to leak.
