How to Fix a Leaking Outdoor Spigot

Water waste isn't just an annoyance; it's a slow-motion wrecking ball for your home's foundation and your monthly utility bill. A dripping outdoor spigot—often called a hose bibb—usually signals that the internal components have finally surrendered to mineral buildup or basic material fatigue. You don't need a plumber to fix this; you just need to understand the simple mechanics of the internal valve assembly. Done well, this repair restores a watertight seal and stops the constant erosion around your exterior walls. It is a fundamental skill that every homeowner should master, taking less than an hour to complete. We are going to replace the seat washer and tighten the packing nut, which solves the vast majority of leaks at the source.

  1. Kill the Water First. Locate the interior water shut-off valve that controls the supply to your outdoor spigot. Close it firmly, then go back outside and open the spigot handle all the way to drain any remaining pressure in the line.
  2. Pop the Handle Off. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw holding the handle in place, then pull the handle off. If it is stuck, give it a gentle wiggle or a light tap with a rubber mallet to loosen it from the stem.
  3. Extract the Stem. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut, which is the hexagonal nut located just behind the handle. Once loose, pull the entire stem assembly straight out of the spigot body.
  4. Swap the Worn Washer. At the very end of the stem assembly, you will see a small rubber washer held by a brass screw. Remove the screw, swap the old washer for an exact match, and tighten the screw back down.
  5. Seal the Packing Nut. If the leak was coming from the handle area while the water was on, wrap a bit of new graphite packing string around the stem or simply tighten the packing nut slightly after reassembling.
  6. Restore and Verify. Slide the stem assembly back into the spigot body, tighten the packing nut firmly, and reattach the handle. Turn the interior water supply back on slowly and check for leaks at the spout and the handle.