If you see a wet spot by the outdoor faucet each time you go to water your vegetable garden, it’s time to learn how to change a water faucet outside in a brick wall. That constant drip isn’t just unnecessarily soaking your mulch—it’s also wasting water. The leak might compromise the surrounding landscaping, or worse, your home’s foundation. Follow these steps to replace an outdoor water spigot.
Why Replace the Outside Water Faucet
While checking your home for an outdoor water leak, you may be surprised if you come across a leaky hose bib (also known as a spigot or faucet). Often, the problem behind a leaky outdoor faucet is a worn rubber seal, which usually keeps the faucet watertight. This is especially common in regions with freezing temperatures. One solution is to install a frost-free faucet with the temperature-sensitive parts hidden safely in the unit.
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Whether you’re installing a frost-free faucet or simply replacing an outdoor water faucet, you’ll want to get the replacement part on tight and avoid chipping your home’s brickwork in the process.
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How to Change an Outdoor Water Spigot
Changing an outdoor water spigot is a job you can do on your own with a few tools. You’ll need locking pliers (or wrenches), a rag, thread sealing pipe tape, and a replacement faucet.
Replace a Screw-On Outdoor Faucet
If you have a screw-on faucet in your wall, here’s how to replace it. If your outdoor faucet is soldered on, move on to the next section.
1. Shut Off the Water Supply
The first rule of plumbing is to turn off the water. The outdoor water supply shut-off is often in the basement or the lowest level of the house. You’ll usually find it right next to the main water supply to the whole house. If you don’t have a dedicated outdoor line, just turn off the main.
Tip: If the outdoor and water main aren’t clearly labeled, do that now; it’ll help when it’s time to turn off the outdoor water for winter.
Head back outside and open the faucet to let any lingering water drain from the pipes.
2. Secure the Pipe With Locking Pliers
Attach your locking pliers or a wrench to the hex fitting on the threaded connector. If you don’t have a hex fitting, secure your pliers to the pipe behind the faucet. You’ll need them to hold the pipe in place, or it could cause damage if it moves around.
3. Unscrew the Water Spigot
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Hold the locked pliers in one hand to ensure the pipe doesn’t move. Then turn the spigot counterclockwise with the wrench in your other hand.
4. Clean Off the Exposed Threads
Use a rag or brush to wipe any grime or debris from the pipe’s threads. This will help ensure a tight seal when you attach the new spigot.
5. Add Pipe Tape and Screw on the New Water Faucet
Use thread sealing pipe tape (also known as plumber’s tape) on the threads. To apply the tape, start at one end of the threads and overlap half the width of the tape on the next turn until you reach the end. The tape helps fill the space between the threads, creating a tighter seal.
Then screw the new faucet on by hand, and then use your wrench and pliers to tighten it.
6. Test for Leaks
Make sure the outside faucet is closed and turn the outdoor water supply or the main water supply back on. Then open the faucet outside. You can expect a few faucet sputters while air works its way out. Then close the faucet again, and watch for drips. If none, you’re all set to attach your hose and resume watering.
If you have drips, unscrew your new water spigot, apply another layer of plumber’s tape, and reattach. Test again for leaks.
Replace a Soldered Outdoor Spigot
If your outdoor faucet is soldered on, the outdoor water faucet replacement project gets more challenging and requires more tools. But it can still be a DIY job that doesn’t require soldering.
1. Shut Off the Water Supply
The first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply to the outdoor faucets. It’s often in the basement (or the lowest level of the house) next to the main water supply to the whole house. If you don’t have a dedicated outdoor line, give everyone in the house fair warning, and then turn off the main.
2. Cut the Pipe Behind the Spigot
To pop the new spigot on, you’ll first have to cut the pipe to remove the old one. The ideal tool is a pipe cutter, which you can pick up for about $15. It’ll leave a clean cut, making the new spigot easier to attach; if you don’t have a pipe cutter, you can use a hacksaw. Water will leak out when you make the cut, so have a bucket ready if needed.
Either way, leave at least 1/2 inch or more of the pipe exposed when you make your cut.
3. Smooth Out the Pipe
Use a piece of sandpaper to even out the remaining pipe. This is necessary to fit the new piece on.
4. Attach a Quick-Connect Adapter
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You’ll need to attach a compression fitting, also known as a quick-connect adapter, to the pipe. This will give it the threads it needs to attach an outdoor water spigot. Pick up a quick-connect adapter at the hardware store. Note whether you need a 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch fitting or adapter. (Pro tip: Bring the piece you cut off with you to the store.)
Wrap the adapter threads in pipe tape, overlapping as you work your way from the base to the end to help make a tight seal. Then attach the adapter to the pipe, and tighten it with your wrench.
5. Attach the New Water Faucet to the Adapter
Use more plumber’s tape to wrap the threads of your faucet. Using your hands, seat the new faucet onto the adapter, and tighten it with your wrench.
6. Test for Leaks
Make sure the faucet is off, then turn the water supply back on. If your faucet is drip-free when you turn it on, you’re ready to attach your hose and go about your watering business. If it’s still dripping, use your wrench to check that everything is tight. Add more pipe tape if needed and test again.
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Tips to Keep an Outdoor Faucet Running Smoothly
Giving your outdoor faucet some periodic attention can help prevent leaks at the spigot and keep water flowing smoothly. Here’s how:
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Regularly clean and clear debris: Unfiltered water can leave mineral deposits. This occurs when the water dries and leaves calcium and lime behind. A wire brush or old rag is all you need to wipe the minerals off the threads of your outdoor faucets. If that doesn’t seem like enough, soak your rag in vinegar and wipe off the debris.
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Examine water flow from hose bibs regularly: Before turning on the outdoor water, give the hose bib a quick look. If it’s been dripping, take off the attachments and clean them. Sometimes the cure for a leaky faucet is as easy as adding a new layer of pipe tape or changing a rubber seal, which costs about $1.
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Winterize your spigot: Before a winter freeze, winterize your outdoor plumbing by disconnecting hoses, draining faucets, and turning off the outdoor water supply.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Replace an Outdoor Spigot on a Brick Wall
If you don’t have experience with plumbing, this is a job best left to a pro. A DIY job gone wrong can end in a broken water pipe, a leak in the wall, or flooding. A local plumber can replace an outdoor spigot on a brick wall if you’re uncertain about the process.
Plumbers are skilled at soldering pipes so they can properly attach a new spigot. The average cost to hire a pro to replace an outdoor spigot is $175.
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Categories: Outdoor
