Quick answer
A leaking outdoor faucet usually has worn washers or a packing nut leak (a simple repair) or a cracked body or pipe behind the wall (a replacement). A hose bib can be replaced, and a frost-proof faucet places the shut-off valve inside the heated wall so freezing is less likely to crack it.
What are you seeing?
Common Outdoor Faucet Problems
Most San Antonio calls fall into a short list:
- Drip from the spout: worn washer, seat or cartridge
- Leak at the handle: loose or worn packing
- Spray from the vacuum breaker: a normal discharge cap that has failed or is clogged
- Handle spins freely or seizes: stripped stem or corrosion
- Water inside the wall: cracked pipe behind the bib
- Low pressure: mineral buildup, partly closed valve or damaged line
Our local pain point is hard water. Mineral scale seizes older brass bibs, and forced handles crack them.
Leaking Hose Bib Repair
Repair makes sense when the body is sound. We replace washers, packing and stem parts, test under pressure and check the supply behind it. If the bib is old, corroded or unavailable in parts, replacement is cheaper in the long run than a repeat visit.
Broken Outdoor Spigot Replacement
When a spigot is cracked, snapped or leaking at the wall, we shut water off, remove the old bib, inspect the supply pipe, replace the fitting and test. We cut access neatly and seal the wall opening afterward. Texas homeowners often ask about price after seeing wild quotes online; ours is quoted upfront after we see the problem, and a simple bib swap should not be treated like a major repair.
Frost-Resistant Faucet Installation
A frost-proof bib has a long stem so the valve seat sits inside the warm wall. It must slope slightly downward so it drains. Install it level or uphill and it will trap water and freeze anyway. We set the pitch correctly, add a vacuum breaker and recommend a covered insulating cap before cold fronts.
Outdoor Shut-Off Valves
If you cannot shut off the outdoor line without killing water to the whole house, you need an isolation valve. We install quarter-turn shut-offs inside the home or garage so you can stop the bib in seconds and winterize it separately.
Hidden Leaks Behind Exterior Walls
The expensive faucet problem is the one you can't see. A freeze can crack the pipe behind the bib, and it leaks only when you open the faucet. Warning signs: damp drywall inside, stained siding below the spigot, musty smell, or a bill that jumps after summer watering. Stop using the faucet and call. We open only what's needed and repair it properly.
Don't DIY this
- Wrap thread tape over a cracked body and call it fixed
- Crank the handle harder on a stuck stem
- Leave hoses connected through a freeze
- Install a frost-proof bib level or tilted upward
- Ignore a faucet that still drips when closed
Call a licensed plumber instead: (210) 898-9754
Homeowner checklist
Seasonal issues in San Antonio
Cover and disconnect. A frozen bib should not be turned on until checked.
Turn on slowly, check for leaks inside and out.
Heavy use exposes worn washers and leaking vacuum breakers.
Replace old bibs and add shut-offs before cold fronts.
Why homeowners trust Stark Plumbing Solutions
You get a price before work starts.
We know San Antonio clay, hard water and freeze patterns.
Verify any plumber's license with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
We protect your property and clean up.
FAQs
Why does my outdoor faucet leak?
Common causes are worn washers or seats, a loose packing nut, a cracked body from freezing, and mineral buildup. If water appears inside the wall, the pipe behind the bib may be damaged.
Can a broken hose bib be replaced?
Yes. A plumber can replace a broken hose bib, usually in one visit, and check the supply pipe behind it at the same time.
What is a frost-proof outdoor faucet?
A frost-proof faucet has a long stem that puts the valve inside the heated wall. It must drain when shut off, so it is installed with a slight downward slope.
Is it a plumber or SAWS?
SAWS handles the meter and the line up to it. The faucet and the pipe to it are the homeowner's responsibility and our service.
Should I drip the faucet or cover it?
Covering protects against short, light freezes. Dripping helps with prolonged freezing. We can advise based on your setup.