Find out where the water is actually coming from
An outdoor faucet can leak in three places, and each one has a different cure. Turn the handle on and off while you watch. Water at the spout points to a worn washer. Water behind the handle points to the packing. Water at the wall points to the pipe or the joint inside.
This guide covers the middle case, a leak around the handle stem. It is the most common one, and the one most owners can handle.
| Where it leaks | Likely cause | First move |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the handle when on. | Worn packing or stem seal. | Snug the packing nut a quarter turn. |
| From the spout when off. | Worn washer or seat. | Replace the washer or the stem. |
| From the cap of a vacuum breaker. | Normal spill when the water runs. | Check if it stops with the water off. |
| At the wall or the pipe joint. | Cracked body or loose connection. | Shut off water and call a plumber. |
| Inside the wall or the basement. | Burst pipe behind the spigot. | Shut off the main and call right away. |
The ten-minute packing nut fix
Before you start, shut off the faucet and make sure no water is running. If your faucet has a separate shutoff valve inside the home, close that too. You need an adjustable wrench and, for some models, a small screwdriver.
Remove the handle
Unscrew the center screw, if there is one, and lift the handle off the stem.
Find the packing nut
It is the hex nut just under where the handle sat. Water leaking out of the thread means the seal is loose.
Tighten gently
Turn the nut clockwise a quarter turn, then test. Overtightening makes the handle hard to turn and can crack the body.
Replace the packing if it still leaks
Unscrew the nut and replace the rubber washer or the graphite string packing, then reseat the nut.
Put it back and test
Reinstall the handle and turn the water on slowly. Look for drips under the handle and at the wall.
Fix not holding?
Call the 24/7 line and ask for a plumber to repair or replace the outdoor faucet.
When a simple fix will not hold
Corrosion is the usual reason. A stem that has pitted or a body that is cracked will keep leaking no matter how tight the nut gets. Replacement parts for old faucets are sometimes hard to find, and a new stem can cost nearly as much as a new spigot.
Look at the faucet type, too. A frost-free faucet has a long stem that runs through the wall. A leak inside the wall from that style can soak sheathing and framing before you see it outside. If the handle leaks and the hose connection is dripping too, replacing the whole unit is usually cleaner.
Lynn Haven water and your outdoor spigot
The City of Lynn Haven operates its own water system, according to its annual water quality report. That means your hose bib draws from a city-supplied line, and a steady leak adds to the water that passes your meter. Wasting water costs money even when the leak looks small.
If you need to trace a buried supply line to a faucet, call 811 before digging. The city's Public Utilities page tells residents to do that. Nearby Springfield also runs a backflow prevention device program, listed on its public works site, so ask your own utility what it expects of a hose bib.
Vacuum breakers and hose habits
Many modern outdoor faucets include a vacuum breaker, a small cap that stops dirty water from flowing back into the house supply. It may spit a little water from the cap while the faucet runs. That is normal. A steady stream with the water off is not.
Leave hoses attached to the spigot only when you need them. A hose left connected holds pressure on the seal and can keep a vacuum breaker from draining. Disconnect it when the job is done, and the faucet lasts longer.
Checklist before you call
- The leak appears only when the handle is turned on.
- You tightened the packing nut a quarter turn and tested again.
- The stem is not corroded and the handle turns smoothly.
- There is no wetness inside the wall or the cabinet on the other side.
- The faucet is not frost-free with a leak inside the wall.
If any of the last two items fail, shut off the water to the faucet and call. A plumber can swap a stem, replace the faucet or repair the supply behind it. A faucet repair visit covers most spigot problems, and leak detection helps if water is appearing somewhere you cannot see.
Booking the repair
Describe what you have: the faucet type, where it leaks and whether the leak runs with the water off. Homes in Springfield and Parker can book the same way as Lynn Haven homes.
The 24/7 line is open at any hour, which helps when a leak shows up on a weekend. A running spigot wastes water and can soften soil next to the foundation, so do not leave it for later.
Frequently asked questions
The packing or stem seal behind the handle has worn out. Water under pressure pushes past it whenever the faucet is on.
Often yes. Turn off the water, remove the handle, tighten the packing nut a quarter turn and test. Replace the packing if tightening does not work.
Check the other side of the wall for dampness and watch for staining. Water that runs after the faucet is closed also points to an inside leak.
A little spray while the water is running is normal for many models. If it continues after you shut the faucet, the part needs service.
Call 811 first. The city's utilities page tells residents to call before digging, and Sunshine 811 marks buried lines statewide.