Plumbing tips · October 31, 2026
The outdoor faucet that drips into the night
An outside faucet that never quite shuts off, or sprays from the handle with the hose on, is easy to ignore. The leak you cannot see is the one to worry about.
Dripping from the spout
If water keeps dripping from the spout after it is turned off, the washer or seat inside the faucet is worn. Turning the handle harder only wears it faster.
Leaking at the handle
Water that comes out around the handle stem while the faucet is on is usually the packing behind the handle nut. Snugging the nut slightly can stop it. If it does not, the packing needs replacing.
Leaking inside the wall
If you find water inside the house, in the garage or under the slab edge when the hose runs, the pipe behind the faucet may have split in a past freeze. That kind of leak only shows when the faucet is on, so it can go unnoticed for a long time.
Before the first freeze
Disconnect hoses so water can drain out of the faucet, and cover it with an insulated faucet cover. A leaking or split outside faucet is worth fixing before winter, not after.
Questions we get asked
Why does my outdoor faucet leak only when the hose is attached?
With the hose on and the nozzle closed, the faucet holds full pressure. Worn packing or a split pipe behind it will show then even if it looks fine with nothing attached.What is a frost-free outdoor faucet?
A frost-free faucet shuts the water off well inside the wall, where it stays warmer. It only works if the hose is taken off so the faucet can drain.Can I shut off the water to just the outside faucet?
Some houses have a separate valve for the outside faucets, often in the garage or near the water heater. Many do not, and the main shut-off is the only way to stop it.Plumbing questions we answer
Where we go
Parker, Wise and Tarrant County, out of the shop in Springtown. Springtown, Weatherford, Azle, Boyd, Decatur, Newark, Millsap, Fort Worth and the country in between.
Call 817-487-8866