How to Replace a Spigot Or Outside Faucet | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert, Richard Trethewey, explains a variety of failure points in a hose spigot and demonstrates how to replace one that is damaged beyond repair.

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Richard Trethewey demonstrates a couple of ways to fix a leaky hose spigot. Richard explains that there are two places a spigot usually fails—the bonnet and the stem— and shows how to easily stop the leak and extend the life of your spigot.

How Do You Keep Outdoor Spigots from Freezing in Winter?
With your average spigot, the washer sits on the outside of the house, so in the winter, water is prone to freezing if it is not shut off and drained.

Instead, Richard advises using a frostproof spigot. It has a longer stem that reaches inside the house, meaning the washer end is far enough away from the outside, so it is safe from the cold and will prevent a frozen pipe.

Time: 1 hour
Cost: $50
Skill Level: Moderate

Tools:
Wrench [https://amzn.to/3xnZTmW]
Phillips screwdriver [https://amzn.to/3aorzy7]
Tape measure [https://amzn.to/3elTmjH]
Torch [https://amzn.to/2P6Wg3g]
Pipe cutter [https://amzn.to/3tQueZf]

Shopping List:
Teflon tape [https://amzn.to/3tDIB2X]
Coupling [https://amzn.to/3gu0eOD]
Solder [https://amzn.to/3v7tejl]
Flux [https://amzn.to/3xfsz1a]
Emery cloth [https://amzn.to/3gre846]
Fitting brush [https://amzn.to/3n93roj]
Stainless steel screws [https://amzn.to/3n5zXre]

Steps for Replacing a Spigot:
1. Shut off the water supply.
2. Go inside and find the line that goes to the spigot.
3. Cut the pipe in an accessible place. Use a bucket to catch any remaining water.
4. Remove the spigot and pull the pipe out.
5. Get a measurement for the new pipe connection. The new work has to be the same as the old. If you are not worried about it fitting the spigot opening, extend the pipe using a threaded adapter and Teflon tape. Otherwise, solder the pipe into the frost-free faucet connector. But first, remove the inside stem so the rubber washer doesn’t melt when you go to solder.
6. Slide the spigot into place.
7. Solder the connection using a coupling fitting.
8. To secure the new spigot, use stainless steel screws to make sure they don’t rust over time.
9. Turn the water back on and test the connections.

Where to find it?
Richard replaced the existing spigot with a ½” x 12” Brass MPT x SWT Heavy Duty Frost Free Anti-Siphon Outdoor Faucet Hydrant [https://thd.co/3vepmgN], which is manufactured by Prier Products [https://www.prier.com/] and can be found at most home centers.

The other tools and materials Richard needed, both for soldering the new valve and repairing the old one, can all be found at home centers and plumbing supply stores.

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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Replace a Spigot | Ask This Old House
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