digest
Short Summary
Main recommendation: Rebuild a leaking compression-type outdoor hose spigot (hose bibb) by replacing its washer, repacking the bonnet with Teflon packing, and resurfacing the valve seat with a reseating tool, rather than replacing the faucet. The host notes that the fixture was about 30 years old and that many people would simply replace it.
Key Points
- The drip came from the washer and seat at the bottom of the valve, not the stem; the host explains that a leak at the stem/bonnet would instead point to a worn gasket there.
- Water to the faucet was shut off at a ceiling valve behind the finished basement ceiling, so the shut-off must be located and used before any work.
- The host compares gate valves, ball valves, and compression valves, explaining that compression valves are the most common type used for this kind of faucet.
- After replacing the washer, a slight drip remained, which the host traced to a scored valve seat that was then smoothed with a reseating tool.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions:
- Turn off the water supply first, then test by turning the water back on and checking for leaks after each change.
- Check the leak location: a leak from the stem points to the bonnet nut and its gasket; a drip at the spout points to the washer and seat.
- Remove the valve stem, pry out the old washer, and fit a replacement washer of matching size, choosing the smooth side facing out rather than the side stamped with the size.
- Secure the new washer with a screw made of Monel, a metal that won't rust over time (the host notes it won't rust over 30 years), and snug it down.
- Repack the bonnet by wrapping Teflon packing about one to one and a half times around the stem, then tightening the bonnet nut to compress it against the stem.
- Use a valve reseating tool, threaded into the seat area, turned clockwise to put a fresh machine finish on the old seat, then clean and reassemble.
- Loosening the old packing nut and screw may be difficult; the host notes screws may break off, which would require replacing the whole valve.
- The valve in the video was original to a house a little over 30 years old, and its screw had not been removed in that time.
- The host notes the reseating tool kit includes a variety of sizes, but in this case simply threads the tool into the stem opening without discussing choosing a specific size for this valve.
Bottom Line
A worn compression spigot can often be restored with a cheap washer, packing, and seat resurfacing, which is usually easier than replacing the entire faucet.
