Fast Faucet Fix Anyone Can Do
2 Materials
$16
10 Minutes
Easy
When I bought my house, the outside faucet in the front was missing the handle at the top. I bought a replacement, but the faucet was stripped, and the screw that would hold the replacement handle in place was broken in the top of the faucet. Once I turned the faucet on, I was unable to turn it off completely, because the handle was stripped. Since the city charges by the gallon for water use, and over three times that for sewage, this could quickly become a very expensive problem.
For all the single ladies out there, you'll appreciate this: I have arthritis, and am unable to do plumbing work that requires upper body or hand strength. So I used my innate ingenuity: I put a new hose and nozzle on it, and that was enough to prevent leaks. Until this week. I don't know what happened, but the hose started leaking at the nozzle.
Way too much water
I stuck the nozzle in a large planter, but the water was dripping too fast. It was all over the yard and draining into the street.
Wasting water.
Water dripping from nozzle.
It was nearly running from the connection between the nozzle and the hose. I went to Lowe's and bought a brass shutoff valve.
Stripped head, broken screw.
No leaks here.
Water running because the faucet won't completely turn off any more.
No more leak!
Leaving the valve open, I screwed the attachment to the faucet tightly. (This is important so the water doesn't spray all over you when you try to install the shutoff valve.) Once I couldn't tighten it any more, I turned the lever off. It immediately stopped leaking. Now, I can attach the hose below the lever and just turn it on when I need it.
This is a simple fix that pretty much anyone can do with very little trouble. For all the plumbers out there gasping in outrage, just know that not everyone can use a pipe wrench or large crescent wrench to undo fittings that have been in place for over 30 years. I will eventually get someone to replace the faucet (hose bib), but for now, this will save me quite a bit of money on my utility bill. I should recoup the cost on my first bill.
A couple of weeks ago, I discovered this faucet next to my air conditioning unit. It, too, is missing its handle. So, while I was at the home store, I purchased a splitter.
Once I turn the faucet on, this zinc Y shutoff valve connector (splitter) will allow me to reach all of my back yard with the hose.
A fast fix that anyone can do, and it requires no tools!
Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 7 comments
-
So happy it helps you, ladies! Water can cause do much damage so quickly! I know it's not a permanent solution, but it takes care of the problem in the short run.
-
I’ve used shut off and splitter valves for years and here’s a word to the wise: buy the more expensive brass valves. The cheap plastic ones break in no time leaving you back where you started.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?