How to Fix a Leaking Outdoor Faucet

An outdoor faucet (also called a hose bib or spigot) that leaks wastes water, can damage your home's siding or foundation, and is especially problematic heading into winter. The fix is usually simple — a worn packing washer or stem washer that you can replace in 20 minutes.

Where Is It Leaking From?

Dripping from the spout when off — worn seat washer inside the valve
Leaking around the handle stem — worn packing washer or O-ring
Leaking where the faucet meets the wall — loose mounting or cracked pipe connection

What You Need

Faucet stem repair kit — seat washer, O-rings, packing
PTFE thread seal tape
Rubber strap wrench
Adjustable wrench, screwdriver, plumber's grease

Step-by-Step: Fix a Dripping Outdoor Faucet Spout

Step 1: Turn off the water supply.
Find the shut-off valve for the outdoor faucet — usually in the basement or crawl space on the pipe leading to the exterior. Turn it off. Open the outdoor faucet to drain remaining water.

Step 2: Remove the handle.
Unscrew the handle screw (usually on top or front of the handle) and pull the handle off.

Step 3: Unscrew the packing nut.
Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the large packing nut behind the handle. Pull out the entire stem assembly.

Step 4: Replace the seat washer.
The rubber washer at the tip of the stem is almost always the cause of spout dripping. Unscrew the brass screw holding it, remove the old washer, and install a new one from your faucet stem repair kit.

Step 5: Replace the packing washer.
The packing washer (or packing string) around the stem prevents leaking around the handle. Replace it while you have the stem out.

Step 6: Reassemble.
Apply plumber's grease to the stem and O-rings. Wrap the packing nut threads with PTFE tape. Reinstall the stem and packing nut — snug but not overtightened.

Step 7: Test.
Turn the water supply back on. Check for dripping at the spout and leaking around the handle.

Fix a Leak Around the Handle

If water seeps around the handle stem when the faucet is on:

Try tightening the packing nut slightly (1/8 turn) — sometimes this alone stops the leak
If not, replace the packing washer as described above

Winter Warning: Fix It Before It Freezes

A leaking outdoor faucet is especially important to fix before winter. Water left in a leaking faucet can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe — causing a much more expensive repair. If you're in a cold climate, also consider installing a frost-free hose bib.

Bottom Line

Most outdoor faucet leaks are fixed by replacing the seat washer or packing washer — a 20-minute repair that costs under $10. Turn off the water, remove the stem, swap the worn washer, and reassemble. Fix it now before it becomes a bigger problem.

Back to blog