Replacing an outdoor faucet that drips or leaks is a fairly straightforward DIY plumbing project that you can tackle in an afternoon. With the right tools and materials, and by following the step-by-step instructions in this guide, you can have a watertight outdoor faucet in no time.
What You’ll Need
Before starting any plumbing project, it’s important to gather all the necessary tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need to replace an outdoor faucet:
- Adjustable wrenches
- Pipe wrench
- Teflon tape
- Replacement outdoor faucet
- Silicone sealant or plumber’s putty
- Bucket to catch water
- Flashlight
- Rag or paper towels
Tools
- Adjustable wrenches – You’ll need two adjustable crescent wrenches to loosen and tighten the supply lines on the faucet. Make sure they open wide enough to fit the connectors.
- Pipe wrench – A 12-inch or larger pipe wrench gives you leverage to unscrew the faucet tailpiece from the water supply pipe in the wall.
- Bucket – Have a bucket ready to catch water when you disconnect the supply lines.
- Flashlight – Useful for seeing behind walls and under sinks.
- Rag or paper towels – For cleaning up drips and spills during the repair.
Materials
- Teflon tape – You’ll wrap this around all threaded connections to get a watertight seal.
- Replacement outdoor faucet – Make sure the new faucet is designed for outdoor installation. Look for freeze-proof and anti-siphon models.
- Silicone sealant or plumber’s putty – Used to seal the faucet base to the wall exterior. This prevents water getting behind the faucet.
How to Replace an Outdoor Faucet
Follow these steps to replace an outdoor faucet:
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
The first thing you need to do is shut off the water supply to the leaky outdoor faucet. There are a couple ways to do this:
- Main shutoff valve – If you have a separate shutoff valve just for the outdoor faucet, turn it to the closed position.
- Main house valve – If there’s no individual shutoff, turn off the main water supply for the entire house. This is usually near the water meter.
- Indoor shutoff valve – In some cases, the outdoor faucet branches off the lines under a sink indoors. Shut off the water valves below that sink.
Once the water is off, go outside and open the faucet to drain out any remaining water and relieve pressure.
Step 2: Remove the Old Faucet
With the water supply shut off, you can start removing the leaky outdoor faucet:
- Disconnect the supply lines – Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the threaded supply connectors. Have your bucket ready to catch any water still in the lines.
- Unscrew the faucet tailpiece – The tailpiece is the threaded part that extends back into the wall. Use a pipe wrench to unscrew it counter-clockwise from the supply pipe inside.
- Remove washers and nuts – Take off any washers, nuts, and mounting hardware connecting the faucet tailpiece and spout.
- Pull out the old faucet – With all the connections and hardware removed, you can now wiggle and pull the faucet body out from the exterior wall.
Step 3. Prepare the Faucet Hole
Now that the old leaky faucet is uninstalled, take a moment to clean up the faucet hole before putting in the new one:
- Remove any old putty or caulk residue from the wall around the faucet hole.
- Make sure the supply pipes extending from the wall are in good condition with no cracks or corrosion.
- File or sand down any rough edges around the faucet hole. This allows for a tight seal with the new faucet.
- Flush the supply pipes by briefly turning on the water to rinse out any debris. Remember to shut it back off when done.
Step 4: Install the New Faucet
Once prepped, you can install the new drip-free outdoor faucet:
- Apply putty or caulk – Ring the faucet hole with plumber’s putty or silicone caulk. This seals the gap between the new faucet and the wall exterior.
- Insert new faucet tailpiece – Carefully insert the tailpiece end of the new faucet into the supply pipes inside the wall. Hand tighten the mounting nuts.
- Attach supply lines – Thread on the connectors to the inlet ports on the new faucet. Use Teflon tape and hand tighten only.
- Position faucet – Set the faucet spout into place centered in the faucet hole. Add any washers, gaskets or hardware needed to hold it in place.
- Tighten connections – Use pipe wrenches and adjustable wrenches to firmly tighten the tailpiece mounting nuts and supply line connectors.
Step 5: Turn On Water and Test for Leaks
The new faucet is installed, but don’t put your tools away just yet:
- Turn water back on – Slowly turn the water supply back on and check for leaks at all connections.
- Test faucet operation – Turn the faucet on and off several times and observe water flow. The handle should move smoothly and easily.
- Check for drips – Do a final leak check by turning the faucet on and letting it run for a few minutes. Look for drips or weeping around the spout and handle.
- Tighten if needed – If you spot any leaks, tighten the connections further with wrenches. Be careful not to overtighten.
If all checks out with no leaks or other problems, congratulate yourself on a job well done!
Outdoor Faucet Leak Troubleshooting
While a complete faucet replacement is usually the best solution for a leaky outdoor spigot, sometimes the leak can be fixed without replacing the entire unit. Here are some tips for troubleshooting an outdoor faucet drip:
Check Hardware and Connections
Loose mounting nuts, worn washers, and loose supply line fittings are common causes of leaks. Go through and hand tighten all the connections with wrenches. Replace any worn out gaskets or washers.
Clean Valve Seats and Seals
Mineral deposits, grit, and other debris can prevent the faucet valves from seating properly, resulting in drips and seepage. Disassemble the faucet and scrub the rubber valve seats and seals with an old toothbrush and vinegar.
Replace Stem Assembly
The stem assembly regulates water flow through the valves. Sticky or worn out o-rings in the stem assembly prevent the valves from sealing fully. Replacing the entire stem assembly often fixes stubborn leaks.
Install Insulating Foam Seal
For freeze-proof faucets, leaks often occur because cold air penetrates behind the faucet body. Installing a special foam seal around the pipe insulation minimizes air gaps and prevents freezing.
Replace Faucet Body
If you can’t pinpoint the leak source, or if the faucet exterior is very corroded, replacement of the entire faucet body is warranted. Follow the faucet replacement steps above.
Choosing a New Outdoor Faucet
Picking the right replacement faucet is key to lasting drip-free performance. Here are some tips for selecting an outdoor model:
Freeze-Proof Design
Look for sillcocks designed specifically to prevent freezing. These have long valve bodies that position the critical seals deep inside the warm house wall.
Anti-Siphon Features
Built-in backflow prevention and vacuum breakers prevent contaminated water from siphoning back into your pipes. Required by code in many areas.
Solid Brass Construction
Seek solid brass or bronze metal components. Plastic interior parts can crack over time. Exterior finishes like chrome or stainless steel resist corrosion.
Ball Valve Design
Rotating ball valves are durable, easy to operate, and provide consistent water flow and drip-free shutoff.
Frost-Free Models
More expensive frost-free sillcocks include automatic drain valves that evacuate standing water after each use. Useful in sub-freezing climates.
Brand Reputation
Stick with reputable plumbing brands like Moen, Woodford, Arrowhead or Glacier Bay for reliable performance and warranty support.
FAQs About Replacing Outdoor Faucets
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about fixing leaky outdoor spigots:
How do I know when to replace vs. repair a leaky outdoor faucet?
Try to repair minor drips and leaks first by tightening connections and replacing washers and seals. But if the leak persists, or the faucet exterior is very corroded, replacement is the best option.
What are some safety tips for replacing an outdoor faucet?
Always turn off the interior water supply and drain the line first. Check for leaks using a rag or bucket, never your hand. Never turn water back on until all connections are tight.
Should I use Teflon tape on the faucet connections?
Yes, always wrap all threaded fittings with 2-3 layers of Teflon tape. This fills in small gaps and imperfections to prevent leaks. Wrap in the direction of the threads.
How tight should I make the new faucet connections?
Hand tighten first, then use wrenches to finish an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn past hand tight. Don’t over tighten. Snug is enough to compress the tape and create a seal.
How can I prevent my new outdoor faucet from freezing in winter?
Make sure you install a frost-proof sillcock designed for cold climates. Consider adding insulating foam gaskets behind the faucet. Drain and shut off the supply line before the first freeze.
Can I convert my old non-frost proof faucet to a freeze-proof model?
Unfortunately no. The valve body on freeze-proof types is much longer. You have to replace the whole unit with one designed specifically for cold weather use.
Should I use plumber’s putty or silicone to seal the faucet to the wall?
Either works well. Silicone caulk adheres better on rough wall surfaces. Plumber’s putty can be easier to install. Avoid latex/acrylic caulks which can crack over time.
How can I make my new faucet match the old one?
When selecting a replacement, bring the old faucet to the hardware store to match the mounting hole spacing, size, and configuration. Or measure the old tailpiece threads to get an identical match.
How can I make sure my new faucet has adequate water pressure?
Check your main home water pressure, and buy a faucet rated for at least 20 psi over that figure. For example, if your pressure is 60 psi, look for faucets rated to at least 80 psi.
Conclusion
Replacing a leaky outdoor faucet may seem intimidating, but as you can see, it’s a manageable project for a DIYer with basic plumbing skills. The keys are turning off water properly, taking your time disconnecting components, prepping the opening, and paying attention to quality seals on the new faucet.
Follow the step-by-step instructions in this guide during your repair, and you can avoid leaks or other headaches down the road. Your patience will be rewarded with a non-dripping outdoor faucet that provides reliable performance for years to come.