How to Replace a Hose Bibb and Shut-Off Valve
Is your outdoor hose bibb dripping? You don’t need to be a professional plumber to fix it. In this helpful guide, Ben Goheen, The Neighborhood Plumber, walks us through how to properly replace a worn-out hose spigot and ball valve.
Why Replace Your Hose Bibb?
A leaking hose bibb isn't just an annoyance, it can waste money. If your shut-off valve inside has also failed, it's time for an upgrade. This video demonstrates how to tackle the job without needing expensive sheetrock repairs by utilizing convenient access panels.
Gather Your Materials:
- Eastman Plastic Access Panel
- SharkBite Multi-Turn 45° Hose Bibb
- SharkBite Max Fittings
- SharkBite Max Ball Valve
- SharkBite Depth & Deburr Tool
- SharkBite PEX Pipe
- Cash Acme Vacuum Breaker
Shop SharkBite:
Step-by-Step Installation
1. Preparation
Shut off the main water supply and drain your system. Measure where your hose bibb is located to ensure your access panel is positioned correctly on the other side of the wall.
Learn More: How to Turn Off Main Water Valve for Plumbing Repairs
Then, make sure the bottom of the access panel will meet the bottom of your hose bibb. Use a sheetrock saw to cut your opening and be careful not to hit internal pipes or studs.
2. Hose Bibb Replacement
Once you have access to the inside of the wall, you can replace the current connection and hose bibb.
To start, cut the existing PEX pipe above the old connection and deburr and mark it with SharkBite’s depth & deburr tool. Then, prepare the new hose bibb by cutting, deburring, and marking a piece of SharkBite PEX pipe (about six inches) into a SharkBite Multi-Turn 45° Hose Bibb. Remove the old hose bibb from the wall and mount the new one with screws.
Since you already deburred and marked the pipe in the inside wall, push a SharkBite Max coupling onto the pipe, meeting the insertion mark. Complete the system by using PEX pipe and a SharkBite Max elbow to connect the pipe from the new hose bibb to the fitting inside the wall.
3. Replace the Ball Valve
Cut out the old valve and install a SharkBite Max Ball Valve. Make sure to deburr the pipe and mark the depth with the depth and deburr tool. Turn it to the off position until you turn the main water back on, then ease it to the on position.
4. Finishing Touches
Install the access panel and attach the Cash Acme Vacuum Breaker to your new hose bibb to prevent backflow.
Pro-Tips for Success
Always deburr your pipe after cutting it to prevent leaks. If you leave a rough lip on the pipe, it can damage the O-ring inside the push-connect fitting. Ben emphasizes that if you aren't seeing plastic shavings while deburring, you likely need to adjust your technique.