How to Fix a Leaky Hose Spigot | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains some of the common failure points in hose spigots and how to repair them

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Time: 1 hour
Cost: $5 and up
Skill Level: Moderate

Tools:

Shopping List:

Steps for fixing a leaky hose spigot:
1. Richard explains that in most circumstances, a leaky hose spigot will leak from one of two places: the bonnet, or the spout.
2. If the leak is at the bonnet:
a. Start by tightening the bonnet with a wrench.
b. If that doesn’t work, shut the water off and fully remove the shutoff and the bonnet. Check the washer underneath the bonnet. If it is worn, replace it. There are washer replacement kits that can be bought at the home center, or even packing the threaded connection tightly with Teflon tape can do the trick.
3. If the leak is at the spout, the process is a little more involved:
a. Turn the water off and remove the stem unit.
b. Loosen the screw at the bottom of the stem unit with the screwdriver. It’s going to be hard to loosen, so it’s important to use the right size screwdriver and enough force to prevent it from stripping.
c. Replace the washer of the stem unit and put the screw back in place.
d. Take the reseating tool and push it through the opening of the stem unit. Twist it around to smooth out the seat that the stem unit rests on.
e. Reinstall the stem unit and turn the water back on.

Resources:
The spare washer kit, teflon tape, and spigot repair tools can all be found at home centers and plumbing supply houses.

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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada.

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How to Fix a Leaky Hose Spigot | Ask This Old House

[beeawesome]

Every home owner in America should be subbed to this channel.

[patrickdaugharty]

Fixed both faucets today just by tightening it up. 4 years of leaking solved on 5 minutes. Geez I feel like a moron. Thanks guys!

[clint]

Seriously, the cutaway helped more than the several other videos I watched for my issue. My spigot is older than many of those shown commonly, so seeing the cutaway helped me know how to remove the valve stem and get a fix going. Thank you so much!

[susana]

Thank you for this video. I really appreciate how you show the audience the cutaway and how everything works. That little bit of education can answer so many questions without having to go to YouTube or calling a plumber!
Again thank you so much for all the hard work and detail that you put into all your videos.
Sincerely,
Older woman without a “fix it” person living in the house.

[pachayman]

I've owned my home for 7 years. I have had a leaky spigot that I turn off from a switch when not in use. A pain. After watching this video, I tighten up the spigot and there is no longer a leak! Thank you!

[ecf]

Great presentation as always, but a couple points:

1) The handle doesn't have to be all the up for the bonnet to leak. Tightening the bonnet too much, however, will make the handle difficult or impossible to turn.

2) When he, "Turn off the water, " he means at the meter or somewhere other than the spigot. Otherwise, there will be water spewing relentlessly.

[DonBernal]

This was literally a 30 second fix for our outdoor spigot, after watching the video. This is always the first channel I go to when I have questions about home repair.

[BenLandersMedia]

That cutaway was a GAMECHANGER! Thank you man, exactly what my issue is, gonna go fix it now 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[traillockpwr]

Thank you guys. Simple $2.50 fix. Saved around $150.00 not needing a pro for this project. Good job!

[lindak]

Thank you! We're in an historic heat wave and I have hatchlings in a hanging plant. I want to run a mister for them, but noticed a leaky spigot that I really didn't want leaking for hours on end. I thought I'd need to replace the 55-year-old spigot. But after watching your video, I knew what to try. One turn with a wrench and the leak stopped. The baby birds thank you!

[BeckfieldDJ]

Literally just noticed my faucet was leaking yesterday and BOOM, Richard saves me some money. Destiny!

[stephendudley]

Mine was leaking out of the handle. Saved me a lot of hassle and expense! Around 1:05 he shows how to make your own washer! Brilliant!

[edortiz]

Things usually don't go right when I fix stuff around the house, but your advice worked! I actually just changed out the entire stem with a new one since both the bonnet packing and the bottom washer were wasted and the nut to take the bonnet out had "welded" onto the handle after more than 20 years. Total cost: $7 at HD. Thanks so much!

[mgpvii]

I’ve been searching for a video for a valve stem leak. This is the best video I’ve found. It covered all scenarios coming from a knowledgeable person. Thank you very much.

[stingfan]

I did what he said, and it works perfectly! Excellent props and explanation. This guy is great.

[joshb]

Ugh... Once again, your videos make it easy! I've been living with a leaky faucet for years. I thought it was a tough fix. Nope. Tighten down the bonnet nut. Thanks again atoh!

[KimberleyB]

Both our hose bibs are leaking. I'm so glad I ran across this while searching on how to fix it. I hope just tightening that bonnet will do the job tomorrow when I give it a try.

[ricardogonzalez]

Teflon tape wow that’s a good one thanks you guys saved a trip to Home Depot

[johnenglish]

Watched. Walked outside with my vice grips. Turned the nut. Done. Water stopped leaking. Thank you, thank you.

[heyjustj]

Mine leaks only when turned on and I THINK it must be the bonnet! Excited to try this in the morning and fix that annoying leak I’ve had for YEARS! To think I was almost going to replace the whole thing, what a waste of time and money when the fix is likely so easy. Thanks so much for this video!