How To: Replace an Outdoor Faucet
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Replacing that leaky outdoor faucet with a frost-free model can save you money on your water bill while preventing future leaks.
Though a leaky outdoor faucet may not seem like much of a problem, each drip is costing you money. A faucet that drips once per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water in a single year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The costs to your bank account and to the environment are compelling reasons to replace that outdoor faucet.
While most outdoor faucets are made of sturdy stainless steel or brass that can resist the elements, they do have their Achilles heel in the form of a rubber washer that’s responsible for creating the watertight seal that prevents the faucet from dripping when the valve is closed.
Unfortunately, this rubber seal is susceptible to cracking if the water it’s holding back freezes. While replacing the rubber washer each time it fails is an option, a better solution is to replace the outdoor faucet with a frost-free outdoor faucet that keeps the washer and water in the line out of freezing temperatures. Frost-free faucets have a long stem that positions the rubber washer and water inside the home, as opposed to on the exterior of the wall, preventing the line from freezing in cold temperatures.
The good news is you don’t even need to be a licensed plumber to switch out the old faucet. A competent DIYer can complete the job with just a few specialty tools and plumbing supplies.
Tools & Materials
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