Repair a Leaking Garden Hose Bib

Water dripping from your outdoor faucet isn't just annoying—it's waste you're paying for, month after month. A hose bib that leaks from the spout when closed needs a new washer. One that weeps around the handle stem needs fresh packing or a tightened packing nut. Either repair takes fifteen minutes once you know what you're looking at. The mechanics are simple. Hose bibs use compression valves—turning the handle drives a stem down onto a rubber washer that seals against a valve seat. Over time, that washer gets chewed up by grit, heat cycling, and simple use. The packing around the stem dries out. Both are designed to be replaced. You don't need to replace the entire bib unless the threads are stripped or the body is cracked.

1. Shut off water and drain the line. Find the shutoff valve feeding this hose bib—usually in the basement or crawlspace along the exterior wall. Close it completely. Open the hose bib outside to drain any remaining water. If there's no dedicated shutoff, you'll need to shut off the main house supply.
2. Remove the handle and packing nut. Unscrew the handle screw at the top center of the handle and pull the handle off the stem. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut—the hexagonal nut directly behind where the handle was. Turn counterclockwise. Some older bibs have a second decorative collar; remove that first if present.
3. Extract the valve stem assembly. Continue turning the packing nut counterclockwise until the entire stem assembly threads out of the hose bib body. Pull it straight out. You'll see a brass stem with a rubber washer at the bottom end, held by a brass screw.
4. Replace the washer. Remove the brass screw at the bottom of the stem—it may be slotted or Phillips head. Pull off the old rubber washer. Press the new washer onto the stem base, then reinstall the brass screw. Tighten firmly but don't overtorque—brass is soft.
5. Replace packing if needed. If the leak was around the handle rather than the spout, wrap new packing string around the stem just below the packing nut threads. Wind it clockwise, overlapping slightly, two to three full wraps. Tuck the end under the last wrap to secure it.
6. Reassemble the valve. Thread the stem assembly back into the hose bib body, turning clockwise. Once hand-tight, use the wrench to snug the packing nut—firm but not crushing. Slide the handle back onto the stem square and replace the handle screw.
7. Test for leaks. Turn the house shutoff valve back on. Open the hose bib fully, then close it. Check for drips at the spout and around the packing nut. If the spout still drips, the valve seat inside may be scored—lightly sand it with emery cloth or replace the entire bib.
8. Clean up and mark your calendar. Wipe down the bib and check once more after an hour. Note the repair date—hose bib washers typically last two to five years depending on use. If you're in a freezing climate, remember to drain and shut off this line before winter.