Leaking free standing spigot?

[lostinthewoods]

Hello all.

My neighbor has a leaking free standing frost free spigot in his barn that he uses to water his live stock. The faucet has started leaking all the time when the pump is left on.

That tells me that the valve in the ground is not sealing up completely. It does seem to drain correctly so there's no weep hole problem with the spigot.

I've been doing plumbing for a number of years now and have never torn apart one of these things before.

I would assume that the spigot works like a fire hydrant and may need a new seal. The top of the post is threaded and looks like it will come apart but I may end up destroying it in the process. I told him his best bet was to just replace the thing and be done with it but he wants to try to fix it rather than replace it right away.

I've checked around they no longer make this style faucet (Columbiania) and you can't get parts for one either. I'm hoping the face of the valve is not too eaten up and it will be as simple as tearing it apart and replacing a rubber washer on the stem and viola we're done, but you all know how that goes.

Any thoughts?

lost

[blackpowderbill]

I'd replace it, at the very least buy a new faucet and tear the old one out. If you can repair it fine, if not you have the new one close at hand.
you can always return the new faucet for a refund..

[CarolAnn]

You might take it apart before you replace it - likely, it's a 25 cent washer that needs to be replaced. They're often just like any water tap - only the valve inside is very, very long. You just have the water off, remove the screw in the top of the handle (you might have to pop off a trim piece, but I doubt it) - then unscrew the valve and pull it up.

The valve will have a rubber washer on the bottom, held in place with a tiny screw. I've even flipped the rubber washer over to present the better side to hold it until I get to the hardware store . . . but you might want to take it along to be sure to get the right replacement.

If that doesn't work, then replace the whole thing - but plumbing is such FUN - and rarely can be done without at least two trips to the hardware store anyway - why not try taking it apart first?! 8)

[CarolAnn]

p.s.
If you've never done any plumbing . . . I meant have the water OFF at the source, not at the valve, or when you unscrew it, you'll get a bath!!!

[lostinthewoods]

thanks for the replies all. Yes I figure I'll end up replacing it too but it would be nice to milk it along for a while longer.

After rereading I should have said, I've done plumbing work for several years but I've never torn one of these apart before....not


I've been doing plumbing for a number of years now and have never torn apart one of these things before.




Thanks again,
I'll let you know how it turns out.

lost