The hose spigot or bib is an outdoor faucet connected directly to your property’s plumbing system. The hose spigot is integral in providing you with a water supply for outdoor activities like gardening or washing your car. One of the biggest issues of having a hose spigot is leakage. While a leaking hose spigot won’t initially seem like a big problem, it can quickly lead to water damage and a hefty water bill if not repaired on time. So, if you are wondering why there is water coming out of my hose spigot, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to find the answer.
Causes of Leaking Hose Spigot
A leaking hose spigot can create cracks in the foundation and water puddles around your property and increase the risk of mildew and mold infestation, making it a nightmare for property owners. Given below are the five main causes of a leaking hose spigot:
- Old Faucet
As the water passes through the hose spigot, minerals get deposited and trapped at the opening. This can create small cracks that will increase wear and tear as the bib gets older, causing leaks.
- Frozen Hose Bib
When the water within the hose pipe isn’t properly drained, it can cause the hose spigot to freeze and burst. The indicators of a frozen hose bib include fluctuating water pressure and signs of water damage outside (or worse yet) inside your property.
- Loose Packing Nut
Located behind the faucet handle, a loose packing nut is one of the most common causes of a leaking hose spigot. If water spews out of the faucet handle, take a pair of pliers and try tightening up the screws. In case it doesn’t work, hire a plumber.
- Dented or Bent Hose End
If your hose spigot is lightweight, it can easily get damaged, which can cause leakage around the hose bib and the connector.
- Worn-Out Washer
A small rubber-packed washer is situated on a valve stem near the end of the hose spigot. Over time, the washer wears out, weakening the seal and disrupting the flow of the water. The washer can also wear out because of excessive use, cold and heat.
How to Fix a Leaking Hose Spigot?
Have you noticed any of the leaking hose spigot signs? Follow our step-by-step guide to fix a leaking hose spigot:
- Step 01: Find the shutoff valve to close the water supply.
- Step 02: Use a screwdriver to unscrew the packing nut and pull out the valve stem.
- Step 03: Look for the connecting screw on the valve stem, and remove it.
- Step 04: Replace the washer and valve stem with a similar model and push them inside the hose bib.
- Step 05: Tighten the packing nut screw and turn on the water.
Final Thoughts
Fixing a leaking hose spigot will not only save you a great amount of time and water wastage but will minimize the risk of interior and exterior water damage. A leaking hose spigot can create damp soil patches around your house’s foundation, devaluing your property. Use our guide to determine the signs of a leaking hose spigot and fix it.
Are you looking for a reliable water damage restoration company? STOP Restoration of Spokane has provided water damage restoration services for four decades. The highly skilled professionals will inspect your property and create a water damage restoration plan tailored to your needs. Give us a call today!
