Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

[TwoBallScrewBall]

I have a freeze/frostproof outdoor faucet in my back yard. Not sure how deep it goes into the crawlspace. Has been working fine from the time we moved into the house in March until today. Today when I turned it on, I could hear the water running through it even though the hose was off. I poked around and can hear water splashing down at a very high rate under the crawlspace when I turn it on. When I turn it off it stops. I've never worked on one of these. Can they typically be repaired or does it need to be replaced? Not sure of the brand, it's grey with a large black knob for the water flow on the front and an anti syphon thing with a black plastic cover on top. <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

Yer between a rock and a hard place SN. There could be variations I am not familiar with but none that I know of should be leaking back where they attach to the copper. Sounds like you either have a breached housing or a leak in the copper line. How old is it?<br /><br />Some times you have to rip out drywall to get to the connection. I really depends on the plumbing configuration. I am not familiar with how they would have been plumbed in NJ but out here, they usually go back into the wall as opposed to under the house.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

I have one outside that I installed about 15 years ago. They come in many lengths (mine is about 15" and set at an angle to facilitate it draining) and you just might have to replace it.<br /><br />Like Boomyal said you have to get to the connector. I know when I installed mine I put an additional shut off valve in the line inside just to be safe.<br /><br />The seat may be worn... replace it. Not too hard and certainly cheaper than a major wall (water damage) repair.<br /><br />Bob

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

It's in the crawlspace so I can get to it. The entire house is only 4 years old so that's how old the faucet is. I'll crawl under there over the weekend and see what the hell happened to it. Thanks.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

Be sure you take your wetsuit with you SN. Sounds like it could be wet down there.

 

[K Hultgre]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

It probably froze and cracked just before the seat. Check the angle to make sure it drains fully after it has been turned off.

 

[Ben Konopacky]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

if its an unheated crowl space ,you most likeky have a blown the cu. tube between the two valves you mentioned.the frostfree valve has to be inserted into a conditioned area where the temp. does not go below 32*f atherwise it will freeze . p.p.plumber that installed that valve.if you dont put a heat trace on that line it will happen again unless you shut the inside supply valve off and drain and leave the ff valve cracked open to drain in the winter season.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

I've seen this a happen a few times while remodeling and Ben Lucky has it nailed.

 

[rosco_59]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

I think that Ben Lucky is correct, I had the same thing happen to my house and it was cracked and only leaked when turned on. Easy fix, just change it out and put a heat tape on it with insulation.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

I've seen them bust open if a hose is left attached over the winter. If the hose is hung above the spigot, water will be trapped in the long part. Just something to watch out for with frost free valves.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

Well Stiff Nibbles, what's the verdict?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

^bump^

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

going under to look at it today. I don't think it's freeze damage because we have used it all spring and this is the first time I had a problem with it. I will definitely post back as to what I find and thank you very much for the suggestions. I'm going under with the camera!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

OK here's the verdict. There is a female to female threaded coupling connecting the short shaft from the faucet to the house piping. Looks like it is leaking past the solder joint on the house side. Here are the photos. I cut the main valve about 3' up the line so there won't be any further leakage for now.<br /><br />

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[Boomyal]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

Looks like someone has tried to fix it before either that or I'm just seeing a lot of corrosion. Can't tell for sure.<br /><br />Be sure to hang your wetsuit out to dry <br /><br />Are you a soldering expert?? Pretty easy fix if you are.<br /><br />ps, next time you take those closeups, hit the macro button.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Frostproof outdoor faucet leaking

The green crap is a ton of corrosion. Yeah I know about the close up button but when I was crammed under the house (after crawling through the piping obstacle course since the access door is clear on the other side of the foundation of course) and then getting sprayed with water I wanted to just get out of there. Next time though like you said. <br /><br />I can solder pipe. Not worried about fixing it, it will be cake, just not looking forward to getting back under there with all the tools. Luckily there is another ball valve about 3' up so it's easy to cut the water and work. <br /><br />Later,