Hose bibs are handy for watering the lawn, gardening, washing cars, and so much more. Hose bibs can last a long time with proper care, but over the years they will start to experience normal wear and tear, leading to problems like leaking. Sometimes the problem is an easy fix, but other times multiple parts or the entire set up will need to be replaced.
Here are a few things that can go wrong with a hose bib:
- Packing Nut
If there is a leak coming from behind the handle while the hose bib is in use, there's something wrong with the packing nut. It may need to be tightened or replaced.
- Air Gap
To prevent water from being siphoned into the home, some hose bibs have a built-in air gap. When the pressure line drops, the flapper valve opens and the siphon is broken. This requires the flap to replaced.
- Washer
If the hose bib constantly leaks despite being shut off, the washer will likely need to be replaced. This requires quite a bit of dismantling of the faucet to find.
Another huge issue with hose bibs is freezing. While All Star Plumbing and Restoration offers frost-proof hose bibs, that doesn't mean they are completely immune to the cold weather. If a hose is left connected to a hose bib during winter, it could freeze pipes inside the home. This will lead to broken pipes and major leaks come spring time when everything thaws.
As soon as homeowners realize there's a potential leak inside from a frozen hose bib, they should turn off the water and call us. We can handle fixing the plumbing, replacing the hose bib, and drying out the water damage.
Some homeowners won't notice the drip coming from a hose bib, or put it lower on their priority list because it doesn't bother them. This is a mistake. That leak could be wasting hundreds of gallons of water and costing extra money on the water bill. That steady drip can also be a symptom of a much larger problem with the plumbing system.
Fixing and replacing a hose bib requires working on more than just the faucet itself. It can involve working on pipes inside a wall or under the house, depending on the issue. All Star Plumbing and Restoration advises against fixing or replacing a hose bib yourself. It could lead to leaking that causes hundreds of dollars in water damage to the house and property.
Talk to the experts at All Star Plumbing and Restoration about fixing, installing, or replacing a hose bib in the front or backyard.