How to Fix a Leaky Garden Faucet in 15 Minutes
Updated: Oct 3
A leaking outdoor faucet not only drives up your water bill but also creates unwanted mud puddles right where your dogs love to play. The good news: the issue is almost always just a worn washer or seal that you can swap out quickly. Here's how.
What You'll Need
Needle-nose pliers
Replacement part (washer or cartridge)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Shut off the water. Turn off the main water supply to the outdoor area to avoid any surprises.
Remove the handle. Unscrew the top screw with a Phillips screwdriver and pull the faucet handle straight up.
Loosen the packing nut. Use the adjustable wrench to grip the hexagonal metal base that's now exposed and turn it counterclockwise.
Replace the worn part. Use the needle-nose pliers to pull the worn rubber washer or cartridge out of the mechanism and pop the new piece in.
Reassemble and test. Screw the metal base back on, reinstall the handle, and turn the water supply back on to confirm the leak has stopped.
If the metal body of the faucet is cracked from age, you'll need to replace the whole unit. But most of the time, replacing just the internal seal keeps your yard dry and saves water in 15 minutes.
Shop the tools from this guide
Together they cover the tools you need for this fix.
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