What I fix
- New washers and seats in dripping spigots
- Packing nuts and stems for handle leaks
- Stripped or broken handles
- Spigot replacement on the existing pipe
- Hose-end backflow preventers
- Loose spigots anchored to the wall
Older spigots
With 52.3 percent of homes more than 60 years old, many San Gabriel houses still have original brass spigots on older pipe. Those can often be rebuilt, which avoids disturbing the old pipe behind the wall.
I check the pipe before replacing a spigot so a corroded nipple doesn’t snap.
Steps
Water off
I shut off the main.
Inspect
Washer, stem or whole spigot.
Fix
Rebuild or replace.
Test
Back on and checked.
Wall pipe
Corroded or leaking pipe inside the wall goes to a plumber.
On the same San Gabriel visit, people also tend to ask about shutoff valve replacement, dripping faucet repair or pressure regulator and expansion tank.
What to send
A photo of the spigot and the wall around it.
Outdoor faucet questions
Can an old outdoor spigot be rebuilt?
Often, with a new washer, seat and packing.
Why is water leaking from my spigot handle?
The packing around the stem is worn.
What is a backflow preventer on a hose bib?
A small fitting that stops hose water from flowing back into the house.
How much does outdoor faucet repair cost?
It depends on the parts. Text a photo for a free estimate.
Plumbing guides
- The toilet shutoff valve that will not turnWhy the little valve behind an older toilet often will not close, and how we replace seized shutoffs and supply lines before they fail.
- Washer hoses and laundry valves in older homesWhen to replace washer hoses, how to check old laundry shutoff valves in a San Gabriel garage or service porch, and the small habits that prevent a flood.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our plumbing fixes group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.