An outdoor faucet, also known as a hose bib or sillcock, is a common fixture for most homes and buildings with a yard or garden. Outdoor faucets allow you to connect hoses and watering equipment to an exterior water supply to conveniently water lawns, plants, and wash items outside. Over time, outdoor faucets can break, leak or become damaged and need replacing. Removing an old, leaky outdoor faucet yourself can save time and money compared to hiring a plumber. With some basic DIY skills and proper precautions, removing an outdoor faucet is a reasonably straightforward task.

Turn Off Water Supply

The first step in removing an outdoor faucet is turning off the water supply. This prevents water from spraying out of the open pipes when you remove the faucet. Here is how to shut off the water:

Locate the Shutoff Valve – Most outdoor faucets have a dedicated shutoff valve inside the house, usually in the basement or crawl space. It will look like a typical water shutoff valve. If there are multiple valves, turn them all off to be safe.
Turn Valve Clockwise – Turn the shutoff valve clockwise to close it. Check that water no longer comes out when the outdoor faucet is turned on. The valve may be stiff, so you may need to use pliers or a wrench to fully close it.
Open Outside Faucet – With the shutoff valve closed, turn on the outdoor faucet to drain any remaining water and relieve pressure. This lets the pipes empty.

Once the water is fully shut off, you can start removing the outdoor faucet without water spraying out.

Remove Faucet Handle and Access Panel

With the water off, you can now dismantle the outdoor faucet:

Remove Handle – Unscrew and remove the handle on the outdoor faucet using an adjustable wrench or pliers. Place handle somewhere safe.
Remove Access Panel – Many outdoor faucets have a small metal or plastic access panel on the exterior wall around the pipe. Unscrew this panel using a screwdriver.
Inspect Connections – Check the exposed connections for leaks or damage. Make note of the setup for re-assembly later. Also check for shutoff valves behind the panel.
Remove Insulation – Carefully remove any insulation or floor covering on the interior wall around the faucet pipes. This exposes the full valve assembly.

Disconnect Water Lines

With full access to the backside of the faucet, you can now disconnect it from the supply lines:

Loosen Compression Nut – Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and unthread the compression nut connecting the faucet tailpiece to the supply line.
Remove Supply Lines – Unscrew any threaded supply line connections using a pipe wrench. Place a small bucket underneath to catch any drips.
Loosen Mounting Hardware – Remove any screws, nuts or mounting hardware connecting the faucet body to the wall. Support the faucet as you remove hardware.
Detach Faucet – With all connections detached, you can now fully remove the outdoor faucet from the wall. Make sure to also extract any gaskets or washers stuck on the faucet body.

Prepare Pipe Ends

With the old faucet removed, you now need to make sure the open pipe ends are prepped and sealed off:

Inspect Pipe – Examine the ends of the supply pipes for damage. Use emery cloth or steel wool to smooth out any rough edges or corrosion.
Cap Ends – Place caps or tape on the supply line ends to prevent debris entering. This also seals against drips.
Insulate Pipes – In cold climates, use insulation to wrap any exposed pipes leading outdoors to prevent freezing.

Capping and insulating the pipes protects them until you install the new faucet fixture.

Install New Outdoor Faucet

The existing faucet is now fully removed, so you can install a new outdoor faucet in its place:

Apply Plumber’s Putty – Roll plumber’s putty and seal the base of the new faucet to help create a watertight seal against the wall.
Insert Faucet – Carefully insert new faucet tailpiece and threaded supply line connections into the corresponding pipes.
Tighten Connections – Hand tighten the mounting nuts, then use a wrench to finish tightening compression nut and supply line threads. Don’t overtighten.
Secure Faucet – Reinstall any mounting screws or hardware to firmly attach the faucet body against the exterior wall.
Replace Access Panel – Attach the small metal or plastic access panel back over the pipe connections. This protects the hardware.

Restore Water Supply

With the new outdoor faucet installed, the final steps are to restore the water supply:

Turn on Shutoff Valve – Locate the dedicated shutoff valve for the outdoor faucet inside the house. Slowly turn it counter clockwise to open.
Inspect for Leaks – Closely check newly installed faucet connections for any water drips or leaks as supply pressure returns. Tighten if needed.
Reinstall Insulation – Replace any insulation or protective flooring on the interior wall openings. This helps insulate pipes.
Attach Hose Bib – Screw on the hose bib handle assembly back onto the new outdoor faucet. Make sure it moves smoothly.
Test Faucet – Fully open the faucet and let water run for a minute to flush out debris. Then connect a hose and enjoy your new outdoor faucet!

Removing and replacing an old, leaky outdoor faucet is a fairly straightforward DIY project. Following proper precautions like turning off water supply, it can be completed safely by handy homeowners. Taking the time to correctly install a new drip-free faucet ensures you can conveniently water outside for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Outdoor Faucets

Replacing an outdoor faucet can seem daunting. Here are answers to some common questions about removing exterior faucet fixtures.

How do I remove an old frozen outdoor faucet?

Use a propane torch to gently thaw a frozen faucet assembly before removal. Take precautions against fire hazards. Avoid striking the frozen metal. Once thawed, follow standard removal steps.

What tools do I need to remove an outdoor faucet?

Common tools include adjustable wrenches, pipe wrench, screwdriver, pliers, emery cloth, cap/tape for pipes, bucket, plumber’s putty and insulation. Have replacement washers and gaskets on hand.

Where is the shut off valve for an outdoor faucet?

Most outdoor faucets have a dedicated shutoff valve inside the house, usually in the basement near the water main. This allows you to turn off the exterior water supply before removal.

How do I remove stuck faucet tailpieces or supply lines?

Penetrating oil can help loosen stuck threaded connections. Allow time for oil to soak in before attempting to unscrew. Avoid applying excessive torque or force.

How do I remove old caulking or plumber’s putty?

Gently scrape away old putty or caulk with a putty knife. Avoid gouging the faucet hole surface. A brass wire brush can help scrub mineral deposits or residue.

Should I replace both hot and cold supply lines?

Yes, for reliability it is best to replace both supply lines when installing a new outdoor faucet assembly. Use new compression nuts too.

How do I stop my outdoor faucet from dripping?

Dripping faucets usually indicate worn washers or valve seats. Replacing these internal parts when installing a new outdoor faucet will prevent annoying drips.

What temperature outdoor faucet should I use?

Frost-proof sillcocks are best for cold climates. These have a long neck that allows the valve to be positioned inside the warm house while the spout remains external.

How do I winterize my outdoor faucet?

In cold climates, shut off, disconnect and drain water from faucets in winter. Also wrap exterior pipes in insulating sleeves or heat tape to prevent freezing.

Why does my outdoor faucet have low water pressure?

Check for kinked supply lines, damaged seals, obstruction in the faucet, or insufficient water supply from main home line. Replace any worn washers, gaskets and pipes as needed.

Replacing an old outdoor faucet is well worth the effort for longer term water savings and preventing leaks. With some basic plumbing skills and patience, homeowners can remove and install a new exterior faucet themselves. Just be sure to take all necessary precautions.

Conclusion

Removing and replacing an outdated or leaky outdoor faucet is a reasonably straightforward DIY project for many homeowners. The most important steps are turning off the interior water supply, fully disconnecting the old faucet, prepping the exposed pipes, installing a new faucet unit, and restoring the water. Taking proper safety precautions like turning off water and capping pipes will ensure no water damage occurs. Investing some time upfront to completely remove the old fixture and properly install a new high-quality outdoor faucet will provide long-lasting drip-free performance for all your exterior water needs.

How to Remove an Outdoor Faucet