How to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet
Repair a dripping hose bibb or outdoor spigot by replacing worn internal rubber washers and stem packing without cutting pipes or replacing the full valve.
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🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Adjustable wrench
- ✓ Tongue-and-groove pliers
- ✓ Phillips screwdriver
- ✓ Flathead screwdriver
- ✓ Small brass wire brush
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Outdoor faucet washer assortment kit
- ✓ Brass replacement bibb screw
- ✓ Plumber's silicone grease
- ✓ Graphite stem packing string or PTFE tape
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Ensure main or branch water shutoff is fully closed before loosening any faucet fittings.
- • Support the faucet body with a second wrench when applying torque to avoid twisting copper supply lines inside the wall.
- • Do not overtighten brass screws into the stem assembly, which can snap the screw head.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (7 Steps)
Shut Off Water Supply and Relieve Pressure
Locate the indoor shutoff valve dedicated to the outdoor spigot or the main house water supply and turn it completely clockwise. Turn the outdoor faucet handle fully counterclockwise to drain all residual water trapped in the line into a bucket. Leave the outdoor faucet open during repair.
- • Water stream from the outdoor spigot stops completely and tapers to zero drip.
- • Indoor shutoff handle is perpendicular to the pipe (ball valve) or rotated fully clockwise (gate valve).
- • Failing to verify the shutoff valve actually holds back pressure before starting disassembly.
Remove Handle Retaining Screw and Wheel
Hold the faucet handle firmly with one hand and remove the center screw using a Phillips or flathead screwdriver. Pull the round metal handle straight off the splined shaft. If stuck, gently pry behind the handle against the faucet body using a flathead screwdriver protected by a rag.
- • Handle screw is removed with intact threads.
- • Handle is completely separated from the valve stem, exposing the splined tip and packing nut.
- • Using the wrong screwdriver size and stripping the brass handle screw head.
Unscrew the Packing Nut
Fit an adjustable wrench securely onto the flats of the packing nut located directly beneath where the handle was mounted. Grip the main faucet body with tongue-and-groove pliers to counter torque and prevent twisting the supply pipe inside the exterior wall. Turn the packing nut counterclockwise to break it free, then spin it off the threads.
- • Packing nut spins freely along the stem shaft.
- • Faucet body remains perfectly rigid against the house siding during turning.
- • Torquing the packing nut without counter-holding the faucet body, cracking the internal pipe solder joint.
Extract the Valve Stem Assembly
Temporarily slide the handle back onto the splines or grip the flat stem flats with pliers. Turn the stem counterclockwise as if opening the faucet until the internal threads disengage from the valve body. Pull the entire brass stem straight out of the housing.
- • Full brass stem shaft is removed from the faucet barrel.
- • End of the stem is visible, displaying the seat washer and securing screw.
- • Yanking the stem straight out without unscrewing it, damaging the internal brass threads.
Replace the Seat Washer and Bibb Screw
Back out the brass screw holding the flat or beveled rubber washer at the end of the stem. Match the old washer's diameter and thickness with a new rubber washer from your assortment kit. Clean mineral crust off the stem end with a brass wire brush, press the new washer firmly into place, and secure it with a new brass screw.
- • New black rubber washer sits completely flat against the brass stem recess.
- • Brass retaining screw is snug against the washer center without squeezing or deforming the rubber.
- • Reusing an old, corroded retaining screw that snaps off inside the stem thread cavity.
Renew Packing and Reinstall Valve Stem
Remove the old crumbly packing washer behind the packing nut, or wrap three tight turns of graphite packing string around the stem beneath the nut. Coat the stem threads with a light film of plumber's grease. Slide the stem back into the barrel, screw it clockwise until it seats lightly, and thread the packing nut on hand-tight.
- • Stem slides smoothly into the faucet housing without forcing.
- • Packing nut threads cleanly onto the faucet body without cross-threading.
- • Overpacking the stem with excess tape or string so the nut cannot catch initial threads.
Secure Assembly, Reattach Handle, and Pressure Test
Tighten the packing nut 1/4 to 1/2 turn past snug with your adjustable wrench while supporting the faucet body. Reinstall the handle and tighten its center retaining screw. Turn on the indoor water supply, close the outdoor handle completely, and check for drips at the spout nozzle and around the packing nut under full line pressure.
- • Zero water drips from the spout when the handle is turned off by hand.
- • Zero water seeps around the handle stem/nut when the faucet is turned fully on.
- • Over-tightening the packing nut until the handle becomes stiff and difficult to turn.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Silver Cymbal — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Graphite stem packing string? PTFE plumber's tape twisted into a thin cord
- No Tongue-and-groove pliers? Second adjustable wrench or pipe wrench
- No Small brass wire brush? Scouring pad or fine emery cloth