| Leaky Spigot Repair |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-613 |
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Q: My exterior spigot leaks. I'd like to know how to repair it. Can you help? A: (James Young, DIY home-repair expert) Leaky faucets -- indoor or outdoor -- should be repaired as soon as possible. A dripping faucet quickly adds up to substantial costs on your water bill. Here's how to repair an outdoor spigot that has a leak due to a faulty stem (figure A). At the same time, we replace the corroded water pipe that feeds the faucet. Materials: Replacement stem
Copper pipe
Hacksaw
Pipe cutter
Tinning flux
Propane torch
Solder
Sandpaper
Safety glasses
Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety procedures when soldering and using a propane torch. - First, turn off the main water supply to your home. Inspect the stem on the old spigot closely so that you can purchase a comparable replacement at your home center.
- Locate the pipe that feeds the faucet from the backside of the wall.
- Use a hacksaw to cut the pipe at the bend, just on the other side of the wall from the faucet (figure B), allowing the faucet assembly to be removed.
- Use a pipe-cutter (figure C) to cut off the length of copper supply-pipe that has become corroded.
- Use medium-grit sandpaper to rough up the ends of the replacement copper-pipe, and inside the new faucet fitting.
- Brush a coating of tinning flux to the outside of the end of the pipe inside the fitting (figure D). Tinning flux improves the adhering capabilities of solder.
- Insert the end of the new pipe into the new fitting (figure E).
- Use solder and a propane torch to seal -- or "sweat" -- the new joint.
Important: Use the tip of the flame to heat the joint -- not the solder -- to achieve the best adhesion (figure F).
- Once the connection has been completely sealed with solder, allow it to cool, then feed the end of the new pipe through the hole in the wall (figure G).
- Once the pipe has been fed through the hole, and the new fitting is flush against the wall, cut off the excess pipe on the back side of the wall using the pipe cutter.
- Using the same soldering technique, install an 90-degree fitting onto the pipe (figure H).
- Take a measurement from the new fitting to the end of the supply-line pipe to determine the length of new copper pipe that you'll need.
- Cut the appropriate length of pipe.
- Rough up the pipe ends, apply tinning flux, and solder the new length of copper pipe in place at the coupling as well as the new 90-degree fitting (figure I) to complete the connection.
- Once the solder-seals have all cooled, and the connections been double-checked, turn the water main back on and check the new faucet for proper operation (figure J).
- You may want to apply a bead of caulk around the outer edge of the new connection to prevent water from leaking through the opening in the wall.
RESOURCES :
Plumbing for Dummies
Model: 0764551744
Author: Gene and Katie Hamilton
1999; Out of Print
IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (An International Data Group Company)
Foster City, CA 94404
Do-It-Yourself Plumbing
Model: 0060101229
Author: Max Alth
Sterling Publishing, 1987
Out of Print
Installing and Repairing Plumbing Fixtures
Model: 1561580759
Author: Peter Hemp
1994
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV
Plumbing: Step-by-Step Repair Procedures
Model: 188002912X
Author: Warren Ramezzana (Editor
Creative Homeowner Press, 1992
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