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 yr. That is a whole lot of wasted water! Happily, altering an outdoor faucet is a comparatively easy plumbing restore that may be accomplished in a number of hours. Learn on to learn to change an outdoor faucet step-by-step.
Earlier than you start, you will want to collect a number of instruments and supplies, together with a brand new out of doors faucet, a wrench, a screwdriver, and a few plumber’s putty. Upon getting your instruments and supplies prepared, you’ll be able to observe 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 Unscrew the outdated faucet from the pipe. 4.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. Verify for leaks. If there are any leaks, tighten the tap additional.
Altering an outside faucet is a comparatively easy plumbing restore, however it’s necessary to observe the steps fastidiously to keep away from leaks. In the event you’re not snug with plumbing repairs or in case you encounter any issues, you’ll be able to at all times name a plumber for assist.
Figuring out the Kind of Faucet
To efficiently exchange 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 will help you establish the assorted varieties of outdoors taps:
Compression Taps
Compression taps are the most typical sort of out of doors faucet. They function two handles, one for decent water and one for chilly, which management the stream of water by compressing a washer towards a seat. Compression taps are comparatively straightforward to restore and exchange.
| Traits | Look |
|---|---|
| Two handles for cold and warm water | Cross handles or lever handles |
| Compression washer seals the water stream | Might require periodic tightening |
| Reasonably priced and broadly obtainable | Historically styled, but additionally obtainable in trendy 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 stream of water. Single-handle taps may be categorised into two important varieties:
Ball Taps
Ball taps use a spherical valve to manage water stream. When the deal with is turned, the ball rotates, permitting water to stream by way of totally 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 incorporates all the interior elements liable for mixing and controlling water stream. These taps are straightforward to put in and exchange, making them a sensible choice for DIYers.
Gathering Essential Instruments and Supplies
Earlier than embarking on this process, it is essential to collect all the mandatory gear and supplies. This can guarantee a clean and environment friendly substitute course of. Here is a complete listing of things you will want:
Instruments:
| Instrument | Objective |
|---|---|
| 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:
- Substitute outdoors faucet
- Faucet washer
- Plumber’s tape
- Joint compound (optionally available)
- Substitute o-rings (if obligatory)
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 can lower off the water provide to your complete residence.
3. **Verify to ensure the water is off:** Activate a faucet in the home to ensure 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 outdoors:** This can assist drain any remaining water from the pipes and make it simpler to work on the tap.
5. **When you have a frost-free faucet:** There can 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. **When you have a hose bib:** Flip the hose bib on and off a number of instances 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 easy methods to 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 seemingly discover a lock nut. Use a wrench to loosen the lock nut, however do not take away it utterly.
4. Extract the Stem
Now comes the tough 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 because 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, you could have to seek the advice of a plumber to extract a caught stem.
| Instruments Required: |
|---|
| Screwdriver or wrench |
| Adjustable wrench or pliers |
| Penetrating oil (optionally available) |
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 could possibly trigger leaks.
To switch the valve seat, merely take away the outdated one with a screwdriver or pliers. Watch out to not harm the tap physique. As soon as the outdated 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 totally different elements. Over time, these seals can put on out or develop into broken, which may result in leaks.
There are sometimes 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 might also be a washer positioned between the stem and the deal with.
To switch the O-rings and washers, observe these steps:
- Take away the tap deal with.
- Take away the stem.
- Take away the outdated 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, observe these steps:
- Take away the tap deal with.
- Take away the bonnet nut.
- Take away the cartridge.
- Take away the outdated 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. Fastidiously 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 way of the holes and tightening them with a screwdriver. |
As soon as the bonnet is put in, observe the remaining steps above to complete assembling the deal with.
Connecting the Water Provide Line
Now that the outdated faucet is eliminated, it is time to join the brand new water provide line. Here is easy methods to do it:
- Wrap the threads of the water provide line with Teflon tape, clockwise, to create a watertight seal.
- Fastidiously 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.
- Verify for leaks by turning on the water provide and observing the joints. In the event you discover any leaks, tighten the connection additional.
- If the water provide line is simply too lengthy, you’ll be able to trim it utilizing a pipe cutter.
- Wrap the tip of the water provide line with electrical tape to stop sharp edges from chopping 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 have put in the brand new faucet, it is time to take a look at it for leaks. Here is a step-by-step information:
- Activate the water provide. Slowly activate the water provide to the tap. Verify for any leaks across the base of the tap, the deal with, and the spout.
- Verify the bottom of the tap. Examine the realm the place the tap meets the sink or countertop. Search for any water droplets or moisture.
- Verify the deal with. Transfer the deal with forwards and backwards a number of instances. Search for any leaks across the deal with stem or the packing nut.
- Verify the spout. Run water by way 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 onerous to identify. Use a flashlight that will help you examine the tap for any hidden leaks.
- Verify below the sink. In the event you discover a leak below the sink, examine the connections between the tap and the water provide strains.
- Tighten any unfastened connections. In the event you discover any unfastened connections, tighten them utilizing a wrench or pliers.
- Exchange any worn-out components. In the event you discover any worn-out components, akin to O-rings or washers, exchange them with new ones.
| Symptom | Potential Trigger | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Leak on the base of the tap | Free connection | Tighten the connection |
| Leak across the deal with | Worn-out O-ring or washer | Exchange the O-ring or washer |
| Leak from the spout | Broken aerator | Exchange the aerator |
Preventative Upkeep for Out of doors Taps
Defend your out of doors taps from freezing and expensive repairs with proactive upkeep. Listed here are important steps to delay their lifespan and stop complications.
1. Examine Recurrently
Verify for leaks, cracks, or unfastened connections. Tighten any unfastened components and restore or exchange 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 attenuate chilly air publicity and scale back the danger of freezing.
5. Cowl the Faucet
Use a faucet cowl or insulating sleeve to create a further layer of safety towards chilly air.
6. Verify for Broken Hose Bibs
Look at the hose bib (the threaded half the place a hose connects) for cracks or leaks. Exchange broken hose bibs to stop water from seeping into partitions or foundations.
7. Lubricate Transferring Elements
Apply a silicone-based lubricant to shifting components, akin to the tap deal with and stems, to make sure clean operation and scale back put on and tear.
8. Clear Out Sediment
Take away any accrued sediment from across the faucet base to stop clogging and guarantee correct drainage.
9. Take a look at the Faucet Yearly
As soon as annually, take a look at the tap by turning it on and off. Confirm if it flows easily and shuts off utterly.
10. Particular Concerns for Freeze-Inclined Areas
Faucet Varieties:
| Kind | Freeze Resistance |
|---|---|
| Frost-Free | Sure, gives built-in safety towards freezing |
| Commonplace | No, requires extra safety measures |
Further Safety Measures:
The way to Change an Exterior Faucet
Changing an outdoor faucet is a comparatively easy plumbing restore that may be accomplished in a number of hours. By following these steps, it can save you your self the price of hiring a plumber.
Supplies you will want:
- New outdoors faucet
- Adjustable wrench
- Teflon tape or pipe dope
- Plumber’s putty (optionally available)
- Bucket
Steps:
- Flip off the water provide to the tap. There needs to be a shut-off valve positioned inside your own home, close to the water heater or below a sink. If there isn’t a shut-off valve, you will want to show off the water provide to your complete home.
- Open the tap to launch any remaining water stress.
- Unscrew the outdated faucet utilizing an adjustable wrench. If the tap is caught, you could 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.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I do know if my outdoors faucet must be changed?
There are a number of indicators that will point out that your outdoors 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 could have to be changed. Dripping can happen even when the tap is turned off.
- Frozen: In case your outdoors faucet has frozen, it could have burst. A burst faucet will have to be changed.
- Broken: If the tap is broken, it could have to be changed. Harm can happen because of put on and tear, or from being hit by an object.
Can I exchange an outdoor faucet myself?
Sure, it’s potential to exchange an outdoor faucet your self. Nonetheless, it is very important have some primary plumbing information and abilities. In case you are not snug working with plumbing, it’s best to rent a plumber to exchange the tap for you.
How a lot does it value to exchange 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’ll be able to anticipate to pay between $50 and $200 for the tap and labor.
