Question re: Leaking outdoor water tap...

[dukmo]

Hi
Well, this year I decided to follow the common advice of turning off the water inside the house, and leaving the outdoor tap turned on.
But, the outside tap drips/leaks very strongly.
Not just drops, but a light stream.
I have since turned it off, as well.
Does anybody have any comments/advice?
Please and thank you.

[mlc2000]

sounds like you need to replace the shut off valve on the inside of the house.
And for now, turn off the water outside.

If the valve is in the middle of a pipe, its easy to fix with a hacksaw and a compression fitting.

[astroboi]

I have the same problem. The inside shutoff valve is leaky. I've purchased the parts, but haven't got around to replacing it. Make sure you buy a 1/4 turn ball valve, these will last a lot longer than the rubber washer style. I will be soldering the new valve, so I also bought a special pipe adaptor that slides over the pipe and allows you to fit the new valve in between the pipes.

[dukmo]

Thank you for the replies.
Now, does anyone know how much it should cost for someone to do this?
Also, can someone recommend someone reliable?
Depending on the cost, we have a couple of other little plumbing jobs around the house that we MAY consider having done, as well.
Thanks.

[stealth]

You should be able to do it yourself if you have some wrenches...You remove the valve unit and take it to HD/Rona and they will sell you either a new cartridge or maybe even just a new washer. Shouldnt cost you more than $5.
I did mine last month. Only took a few mins (not including trip to HD / Rona).

But dont forget to turn off the water main when you do this!
BTW, its NOT a good idea to shut it off outside in sub zero temps if the inside valve is leaking. Water will collect in the pipe leading to outside, and if its cold, the water will have nowhere to go and begin to freeze. When it freezes it expands, and then cracks your pipe and then you have real problems. Let it drip at least a little until you fix it.

[astroboi]

You should be able to do it yourself if you have some wrenches...You remove the valve unit and take it to HD/Rona and they will sell you either a new cartridge or maybe even just a new washer. Shouldnt cost you more than $5.
I did mine last month. Only took a few mins (not including trip to HD / Rona).

I just found out about this option today. I replaced the washer a couple of hours ago and it's so much easier than replacing the whole valve. The problem is that the water has already frozen in the pipe. I hope that it warms up enough one of these days for the water to melt and drain out of the pipe.

[stealth]

I just found out about this option today. I replaced the washer a couple of hours ago and it's so much easier than replacing the whole valve. The problem is that the water has already frozen in the pipe. I hope that it warms up enough one of these days for the water to melt and drain out of the pipe.

Oh dear...you could open the valve outside and heat the pipe with a hair dryer on the inside part of the pipe...at least to melt off some of the water and see if the ice broke a solder joint or cracked the pipe.

[astroboi]

Oh dear...you could open the valve outside and heat the pipe with a hair dryer on the inside part of the pipe...at least to melt off some of the water and see if the ice broke a solder joint or cracked the pipe.

It hasn't been awfully cold yet, so I'm hoping that the freezing has been minimal. I plan on checking on it next week when temps warm up. Everything is behind drywall, so it'll be hard to know for sure.

[dukmo]

You know, I am not much of a "do-it-yourselfer".
Anything that takes the average person 5 minutes takes me 3 hours, and 3 trips to Home Depot.
However, this seems tempting to try.
Will have to see how my courage goes.
One question: Is it the washer on the inside tap or the outside tap that I should try changing?
thanks

[stealth]

You know, I am not much of a "do-it-yourselfer".
Anything that takes the average person 5 minutes takes me 3 hours, and 3 trips to Home Depot.
However, this seems tempting to try.
Will have to see how my courage goes.
One question: Is it the washer on the inside tap or the outside tap that I should try changing?
thanks

You basically use a wrench to remove the "guts" of the tap/valve. The guts come out as one piece, usually called a cartridge. At the end of the cartridge is the washer, which is removed with a flat blade scredwriver or just take the cartridge in to HD and let them tell you what you need. It will make sense when you see it. If you are passing by a HD on your way home from work, take a look at one in the plumbing section before you start work on yours so you'll understand mor or less how it works/what to expect.
Washer=$1-2. for a pack, cartridge=$4-8.

[Kasakato]

Just replace it with a washer less ball valve when it gets warmer. The thing never needs replacing and ensures a tight connection.

[stealth]

Just replace it with a washer less ball valve when it gets warmer. The thing never needs replacing and ensures a tight connection.

I think sweating pipes is beyond the OP's abilities.
Changing the washer is no big deal, once he's done this one, he wont understand why he thought it was such a big deal.

But I agree, if he calls a plumber in, he should get him to replace it with a ball valve and not just status quo.