Leaking Outside Faucet Repair in Boiling Springs, SC
Good service is worth sharing.
You may know it as a hose bib, a spigot or a sillcock. Some will call it an outside or outdoor faucet. In Boiling Springs we hear all of them, what with neighbors hailing from every corner of the country. But put aside the name for a moment: a leaking outside faucet is an issue that needs attention. It wastes water and soaks the ground by your foundation, not to mention the damage it can do inside your wall without you knowing it. Pro-Flo Plumbing can have your garden hose and pressure washer working properly in no time.
Why Outside Faucets Leak
An outdoor faucet has a hard existence. It endures sun, rain and freezing nights, and it is not uncommonly yanked or twisted with a hose still on it. Common causes of leaks include:
- Worn washers and O-rings that no longer seal at the stem.
- A loose packing nut, which causes dripping around the handle when the water is on.
- Cracked bodies or pipes from freezing water.
- Corroded threads or spouts that let water escape at the hose connection.
- Hoses left attached in winter, which trap water and can split the faucet from within.
In some cases the remedy is as simple as putting a new washer in or tightening up the packing nut. If the faucet is cracked or the leak is behind the spigot, however, the trouble could be in the wall, and you want a plumber on the job.
Repair or Replace?
Our technician will have a look, check the crawl space or the wall for moisture and lay out your options.
- Most often we can rebuild the valve with fresh washers or O-rings.
- For an old or damaged faucet we will replace it, and many of our customers make the move to a frost-free model, also called a frost-proof hydrant.
- The valve seat on those is set deep in the warm part of the wall so water does not sit in the exposed section when the mercury falls.
- It is one of the best ways to guard against a burst pipe.
Backflow Protection and Local Rules
We also see the value in a proper replacement for other reasons. A hose left in a bucket, pool or fertilizer sprayer can siphon unclean water back into the drinking supply through a cross-connection. Spartanburg Water has been running a cross-connection control program since the early 1980s, in keeping with South Carolina law. We can fit a vacuum breaker on a hose bib to protect the neighborhood system and your home, and some newer faucets have one built in.
And let us not forget conservation. Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock are vital resources for the region, particularly in a dry year. A steady drip can waste hundreds of gallons a month, so a fast repair is good for the community and your finances.
What to Do Right Now
Should you spot a problem, grab a wrench and try the packing nut under the handle. Turn off the shutoff valve if the spout is the source, and make sure hoses are off before a cold night. But if you see soft drywall or stains, a wet crawl space, or water coming from behind the fixture, turn off the main and give us a ring. That points to a leak in the wall.
Friendly Local Service
We like to help our neighbors with the big jobs and the small ones alike. A dripping spigot might not seem like much, but we put the same care into it as any other repair. Expect a tidy job, a fair price and a fix that will hold up. Give the Pro-Flo team a call to get your outdoor faucet repair taken care of.
Let’s get your plumbing back on track.
Request a free estimate or call Pro-Flo Plumbing & Drain Cleaning.