An upgrade that’ll last you a decade or two
A leaky outdoor faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water per year. A spigot that sprays water in unusual directions or has low water pressure can be a hassle. Sometimes, all you need to do is repair your spigot to solve these problems. Other times, you need to replace the entire spigot valve. Learn how to replace a spigot valve no matter your plumbing type.
An outdoor spigot that leaks, has uneven water pressure, an unusual spray, or doesn’t work at all can be a huge hassle. You might be unable to water your lawn and garden properly and leaks and drips can lead to higher water bills. If you notice inconsistent water pressure, rust, corrosion, or dripping, it’s likely time to repair or replace your outdoor spigot. If you live in a climate that experiences below-freezing temperatures, replace your spigot with a frost-proof model. The long stem ensures the rubber washer sits inside the home to protect it from freezing temperatures.
If you do the work yourself and already have the tools, you can replace a spigot valve for $30 to $70, depending on the brand and model. Hiring a professional to replace your spigot costs between $150 to $300, depending on how complex the project is.
Check out your plumbing type and gather your tools and supplies before digging into this DIY.
Look in your basement or crawl space to determine what type of water line leads to the outdoor faucet. Determine if you have copper, galvanized, or PEX pipe. You’ll need to purchase the materials compatible with your plumbing. Copper and galvanized pipes are more difficult to work with, while PEX is much more DIY-friendly.
Depending on the issue, you may not need to replace the entire spigot. You may only need to replace a washer or bonnet inside the valve. Take apart your outdoor spigot to see if the washer is worn or torn. Without this critical piece, your faucet might leak. You may also need to tighten or replace the bonnet. Simple fixes and part replacement projects are easier than replacing the whole fixture. However, you may want to upgrade to a frost-proof spigot if you live in an area with below-freezing temperatures.
When replacing an outdoor faucet, getting the correct spigot to fit your current plumbing is important. If you're unsure, talk with an expert at a hardware or home improvement store and bring photos of your plumbing. Depending on the complexity of your replacement and the type of pipe you have, you may need:
Tools
Pipe cutter or PEX cutter
Phillips screwdriver
Drill and masonry bit
Tape measure
Emery cloth
Solder torch
PEX crimper or expander tool
Crescent wrench
Bucket
Protective gloves
Construction glasses
Supplies
Frost-proof outdoor spigot
Concrete screws
3/4-inch coupling or PEX connector
Plumbing pipe
Flux
Plumber’s tape
Once you have your tools and supplies ready to go, it’s time to dive into replacing your outdoor faucet with a frost-proof spigot and sillcock. If you feel uncomfortable during the project, take a step back to do further research or hire a plumber to replace your outdoor spigot.
Turn off the water supply that leads to the outdoor spigot or turn off the water supply to the whole home. The lever is usually located on the house's front wall in the basement or crawl space. Turn on the water spigot outside and let the water drain out.
Since you’re replacing the entire spigot and sillcock, you'll need to cut the interior pipe leading to the outdoor faucet. Using a pipe cutter or PEX cutter, cut the pipe a few inches from the wall. Have a bucket ready to catch the water that’s left in the pipe.
Remove the screws holding the faucet to the house with a screwdriver. Slide the sillcock out of the hole. Insert the new outdoor spigot to check for fit.
Add a coupling to the end of the new outdoor faucet piping to attach to your home’s plumbing. The coupler type depends on the type of plumbing you have. One end of the coupler should screw or insert into the sillcock, while the other end will fit into a new piece of pipe that you’ll cut in the next step.
When securing the coupler into the new sillcock, wrap the coupler’s threads in the plumber’s tape first if you have copper or galvanized plumbing. The tape helps ensure a watertight connection.
Measure the distance from the sillcock's end to the original pipe you pulled out. Cut a piece of new pipe to that length. You want to ensure that the new sillcock can reach the interior pipe and be connected. You must secure the pieces together by soldering them if they are copper or galvanized. If using PEX, use a crimp ring to connect them.
Place the new sillcock inside the hole. Caulk around the hole and press the mounting plate into the caulk. The caulk should seal the gap between the sillcock and the concrete. Secure the faucet to the foundation or side of the home with screws. You may need to use a drill with a masonry bit if drilling new screws into a foundation.
Before you go inside to secure the new sillock to the interior water pipe, remove the faucet stem by unscrewing it from the faucet and setting it aside. You want to ensure the rubber washer inside the new sillcock does not melt when soldering the pipes.
Clean the cut ends of the existing and new pipes with an emery cloth to ensure a tight connection when you solder the pieces.
Add flux to the pipes and coupling to remove oxidation. Connect the sillock to the interior pipe. Put on construction glasses and protective gloves before using a soldering torch. Light the torch and solder the pieces together. Guide the torch over the pieces back and forth to ensure even heating. Once the metal is hot, hold the solder to the pipe to melt the entire joint.
If securing PEX pipes, use a crimper or an expander tool to ensure a tight connection between all pieces.
After securing the inside pipe and fittings, insert the stem from the outside. Use a pipe wrench or crescent wrench to tighten the stem if needed. Be careful not to overtighten the joint to avoid damaging the rubber gasket.
Turn back on the water supply. Test the new faucet by turning it on. Look for leaks at the joints, stem, and spout, both inside and out.
Regular maintenance on your outdoor faucet can prevent leaks, freezing, and other issues. Here are the best tips for maintaining an outdoor spigot.
Turn off the water supply to your outdoor faucet before freezing temperatures arrive for the season. Turn on the faucet and allow the water to drain out. Leave the outdoor faucet in the open position during the cold months.
Check and maintain parts like bonnets and washers. Clean and replace them as necessary.
Switch to a frost-free sillcock to prevent washer damage and leaking.
Check the water flow on your faucet once a year to ensure that the flow is regular and doesn’t spray. Reduced flow can indicate debris, clogs, or a cracked pipe.
You can replace an outdoor spigot yourself with a few tools and about an hour of your time. If you’re unfamiliar with your plumbing system, it may be best to hire a pro, especially if you have copper or galvanized piping. In most cases, soldering is necessary, and you want to ensure the connections are watertight. The cost to replace an outdoor spigot with a local plumber ranges from $100 to $300, with $175 being the average.
You can fix a leaking outdoor spigot by replacing the washer, tightening the bonnet, or replacing the spigot altogether. Turn off the water supply and open the spigot to see the issue. You may need to tighten the bonnet by 1/8- to 1/4-inch of a turn. You might also need to see if the washer is damaged or worn. If those fixes don’t stop the leak, you should replace the outdoor spigot. Consider a frost-proof sillcock to prevent future freezes and leaking.
You can replace a spigot handle by unscrewing it from the outdoor faucet. Take the broken handle to a hardware or home improvement store. Ask for a new handle that matches the size of your existing one. Screw the new handle into the place and test the new handle to ensure it works and doesn’t cause any leaks.
