With Summer finally here, your outdoor faucet is going to start getting a lot more use. Use from your hose, slip-n-slides, pressure washing adapters, and a lot more. It can be frustrating when you finally need your outdoor faucet, and it isn’t working. After a long winter, your outdoor faucet will probably need some help to get up and working again. If you’re unsure how to deal with the problems your outdoor faucet is having, here are some of the most common issues outdoor faucets face and how you can fix them.
1. Leaking Outdoor Faucet
If your outdoor faucet is leaking, it’s usually because of a worn-out rubber washer. The rubber washer is what creates a watertight seal when the faucet is closed. Those can degrade with time, allowing water to seep through. Luckily, this is an easy fix. You can buy a rubber washer at your local hardware store and quickly replace it.
However, there are other reasons your outdoor faucet could be leaking. Utah winters are harsh and cold, especially on your pipes. If replacing the rubber washer doesn’t do the trick, that’s a sign that you have a cracked internal pipe from winter freezing. If you feel that that is the case, there is likely some water damage hiding behind your walls. Call a professional plumber to assess the damage and to repair the damaged section of pipe.
2. Low Water Pressure
There is a wide range of reasons why your outdoor faucet is having a low water pressure issue, though there’s one common cause, especially in Utah. Some could require a quick fix or require the help of a professional plumber.
Utah is notorious for its hard water. Over time, the minerals in this hard water can build up inside your outdoor faucet, resulting in a restriction of water flow, reducing overall water pressure. You can tell that this is the issue if there is white or chalky residue on the faucet. If the hard water hasn’t caused damage elsewhere in your home, you can fix the problem by filling a bag or other container with white vinegar and soaking the faucet in the vinegar. Over the course of a couple of hours, the vinegar will dissolve the mineral deposits in the outdoor faucet without damaging the plumbing.
If the vinegar soak doesn’t fix the problem, the buildup is likely deeper in the pipes. In that case, a professional plumber may need to come and clean out the mineral buildup in the pipes.
3. Frozen or Cracked Outdoor Faucet
Over the Winter, when temperatures drop below freezing, water that is trapped inside the outdoor faucet or pipe begins to freeze. As it freezes, the pipe expands, creating intense pressure inside the pipe. This pressure causes a lot of different issues, from small cracks to full pipe splits that cause internal damage you can’t see.
If the issue appears to be just with the body of the faucet, the fix could be fairly straightforward. However, many times there is an issue that requires the help of a professional plumber. In order to fix a deeper problem with a frozen or cracked outdoor faucet, the plumber may have to cut into a wall to replace the damaged pipes.
If you haven’t faced this problem but are worried it might, there are a few preventative things you can do. Make sure to disconnect hoses before winter, drain any remaining water from the line, and install a freeze-resistant outdoor faucet.
4. Outdoor Faucet Won’t Turn On or Is Stuck
If you go to use your outdoor faucet and it just won’t turn on or the handle is stuck, you’re likely dealing with buildup, corrosion, or internal damage.
Not only can hard water problems cause low water pressure, it can also restrict the movement of internal parts and can get gradually worse over time. Outdoor faucets are also constantly exposed to the elements, which can cause rust around the handle and corrosion inside the valve.
It’s best to start with some lower-risk solutions to the problems before you break out the toolbox. First, attempt to slowly move the handle back and forth, applying steady, light pressure. If it still isn’t budging, do not force it because it can snap the valve or even break a pipe. You can also try spraying a lubricant like WD-40 around the handle and the stem. Let that sit for five to ten minutes before gently trying to turn the handle. Lastly, you can try using a wrench to adjust the packing nut that’s just behind the handle. This can sometimes relieve pressure on the stem.
If after you’ve done everything you can and the issue still hasn’t resolved, call a professional plumber. They have the expertise to deconstruct the outdoor faucet and fix it as needed.
Why Choose Us?
At S&B Plumbing, we understand how frustrating it can be to have an outdoor faucet be unusable. Especially during the summer months when they’re heavily used. As the top plumbers in Ogden, with over 25 years of experience, you can expect fast and effective results that will allow you to get back to all of your fun summer outdoor activities. Contact us today to schedule your service.
