Frost-free faucets work by keeping the water supply inside the walls or foundation of your house, which protects it from freezing. They do this by means of a long-stem lever. The rubber washer attached at the end of the stem seals the water out at the valve seat. A broken or worn washer can cause your faucet to leak, which could freeze in cold weather and burst your pipes. Repairing a leaky frost-free faucet involves replacing the washer and also ensuring that the threads on the valve stem are sealed tightly. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Turn off the water supply. Some outdoor faucets may have a shutoff valve installed nearby. The most common is a shutoff valve in a basement or crawl space. It may also be in an outbuilding or shed. Rotate the shutoff valve clockwise to turn off the water. If you cannot locate a separate shutoff valve, turn off the water supply for the house. Turn off the main valve, which is usually near your water meter.
2. Unscrew the faucet stem. Adjust the wrench so it fits comfortably around the hexagonal nut just beneath the faucet. Turn counterclockwise to loosen. On tough-to-remove faucets, spray penetrating lubricant and allow time to soak in before unscrewing.
3. Pull the faucet stem out of the body slowly. Use caution, as the turning lever portion of the frost-free faucet can be quite long and can cause a malfunction if bent.
4. Turn the faucet over so you can examine the washer at the bottom. Remove the retaining screw at the bottom with a flat-blade screwdriver. Pull the washer from the socket and insert a new one. Secure with the retaining screw. Apply a light coating of silicone grease to the surface to the washer to help seal the valve tight.
5. Clean the threads on the upper portion of the stem, using steel wool. Apply a coating of pipe thread compound on the threads. Smear it around with your finger to distribute evenly.
6. Insert the stem into the faucet and pipe slowly. Tighten with the wrench.
7. Restore the water supply.
Tags: shutoff valve, water supply, faucet stem, frost-free faucet, retaining screw
