How to Repair, Replace & Prevent Leaky Hose Bibbs with SharkBite

6 min read

Whether you have a current leak or want to prevent it in the future, SharkBite has the products and solutions to make the project fast, easy and effective.

Repair

Choosing between a hose bibb repair or replacement is not always straightforward. Whether it’s cost, time, or the condition of your hose bibb you are concerned about, here are a few ways to know you should repair your spigot and which products work best for your application.

When to Repair:

1. Leak from the stem/packing nut

Leaks from the packing nut and stem area are fast and easy to repair, simply tighten the nut with a wrench until it stops leaking. If it’s difficult to tighten, use another wrench to hold the section of the hose bibb where it meets the wall for stability.

2. Faulty vacuum breaker

If your hose bibb is leaking from the vacuum breaker, you can easily replace it with a new Cash Acme vacuum breaker. Make sure to loosen the old vacuum breaker using your hands only, or else you could damage your pipes or strip the threads on your hose bibb.

3. Faulty O-ring

Another common hose bibb repair is to replace your old o-ring with a new one. If your hose bibb is leaking, there’s a possibility that your o-ring has some wear and tear and should be replaced with new ones.

4. Cost considerations

If your hose bibb is leaking from the packing nut or you have a faulty vacuum breaker or o-ring, repairing it is your best cost-saving option.

Other issues like faulty internal components may be more expensive to repair. They should be replaced with a new hose bibb since purchasing a replacement for each internal component can add up quickly and be hard to find for certain brands. In the end, replacing hose bibbs with those types of leaks will be more cost-effective.

How to Repair:

Most hose bibb repairs are simple and can be done using a wrench and a replacement part. For a detailed guide, check out our repair video below.

Watch: How To: Repair a Leaky Hose Bibb

Products:

Replace

If you’re unsure if your leaky hose bibb needs a full replacement, here are a few indicators that it’s time to install a new one.

When to Replace:

1. Broken internal components

When the internal components within a hose bibb fail, you would need to replace them with the exact same components. This takes time and may cost extra, so in this scenario, we recommend replacing the entire hose bibb.

2. Frost damage

If you’re looking for a permanent, no-fuss solution for frost damage, replace your current hose bibb with the SharkBite frost-free sillcock. SharkBite makes installation easy and offers both a push-to-connect and crimp style frost-free sillcock.

The shut-off of this sillcock is located at the inlet of the sillcock to drain the water from the line, which protects the valve in freezing conditions. This keeps the water farther away from the exterior of the home than a traditional hose bibb. It also features an integrated vacuum breaker to prevent backflow and a mounting flange to secure the valve.

3. Corrosion

If your hose bibb is rusted or corroded and hard to turn, you may need to replace it with a SharkBite hose bibb to prevent further damage. All SharkBite outdoor hose valves are corrosion resistant and are made with lead-free, DZR brass and are backed by a 25-year warranty for peace of mind.

How to Replace:

Now you know your hose bibb needs to be replaced, but not all hose bibbs are the same. Here’s how to choose the right one for you.

Size. SharkBite offers hose bibbs in 1/2 in. x 3/4 in. and 3/4 in. x 3/4 in. These measurements represent first the inlet size (1/2 in. or 3/4 in.) and then the outlet size 3/4 in.) so all you need to do is check the size of your existing plumbing.

Style. SharkBite hose bibbs come with either a push-to-connect or crimp end. Most SharkBite hose bibbs feature the push-to-connect end since it’s more versatile and can connect to PEX, copper, CPVC, PE-RT and HDPE pipe. You can also choose from a multi-turn or quarter-turn handle and a 45-degree or 90-degree spout.

After choosing the right hose bibb, watch the hose bibb replacement video below for fast and easy installation instructions.

Watch: How to Replace a Hose Bibb

Products:

Where to Buy

Preventative Maintenance

Whether you are preparing for winter, are working on a new-build or just want to protect your home, here are some simple ways to avoid hose bibb failures in the future.

Install frost-free products

It takes just a couple of days for freezing temperatures to wreak havoc on your outdoor hose bibbs. That’s why it’s so important to winterize your home or install frost-free products. This is especially true if you live in a cold climate and know your home will be facing freezing temperatures for days on end. Here are two great products to keep your home free of frost damage and leaks.

1. Frost-free sillcock.

SharkBite frost-free sillcocks are the most simple, easy and effective solution for frost-prone homes. These use the heat inside your home as an advantage, keeping the shut-off farther away from the wall and thus protecting your pipes from the cold conditions. They are available in a push-to-connect or crimp end and multiple lengths.

Learn More: Winterization Tips

2. Drain/vent fittings.

SharkBite offers the drain/vent feature as a stop valve, elbow and ball valve. They include an integrated drain/vent for easy cold-weather maintenance and protection against freezing. Simply drain the line right before a freeze event to protect your pipes. You can quickly and easily add this to your current set-up because of the innovative push-to-connect design. Plus, these types of fittings make winterizing more convenient by reducing the steps required to drain the line.

Learn More: Elbow with Drain / Vent: What You Need to Know

Products:

Prep your pipes

Other ways you can proactively protect your home ahead of the winter are to shut off your water and drain the system, insulate your pipes and repipe parts of your system with PEX pipe.

Watch: 3 Ways to Winterize Your Plumbing

Water shut-off. If you know cold weather is coming and it will be below freezing for more than 48 hours, it’s important to shut off the water supply to your hose bibb so water does not freeze inside the pipe. This can be done using a drain/vent product or ball valve. Then, drain the system by letting water out at the hose bibb or faucet.

If you’ll be away from home while it freezes, shut off the entire water system at the main water line before you leave.

Learn More: How to Turn Off Main Water Valve for Plumbing Repairs

Insulation. Insulate your pipes, especially the pipe connected to the hose bibb, with foam insulation and keep it on for the remainder of the winter season. Another precaution you can take is to strap a foam cover over your outdoor spigot to protect against the cold temperatures. It’s also important to keep your home above 55-degrees so your pipes are surrounded by warm enough air.

PEX. Since PEX pipes have superior flexibility and can expand and contract more easily than rigid pipes like copper, PVC, and CPVC, which means it's less likely to burst during a freeze. While they are less likely to burst in cold weather, it’s still important to insulate them in times of extreme conditions.

Learn More: How PEX Pipe Performs in the Winter

Where to Buy Hose Bibbs