Outdoor guide
Outdoor faucet leaking: fix a dripping spigot or a leak inside the wall
By the Home Doctor team · Reviewed
Quick answer
Where it leaks tells you the fix. A leak at the hose threads is a worn hose washer. A drip from the spout with the handle closed is a worn washer inside the spigot, and a leak around the handle is loose packing. Water from the cap on top is a worn vacuum breaker. Those are DIY fixes for $5 to $30. If water shows up in the basement or wall when the spigot runs, a frost-free sillcock has probably split from freezing with a hose attached: shut off its interior valve and call a plumber. Replacing one typically runs $200 to $500.
- How urgent
- Fix soon
A drip outside wastes water but isn't urgent. Water leaking into the wall or basement when the spigot runs is urgent: it can rot framing and grow mold where you can't see it.
- DIY or pro
- DIY if handy
Hose washers, packing nuts, stem washers and vacuum breakers are DIY with a wrench and a screwdriver. Replacing a spigot is a handy job only if it's threaded on and you can reach the pipe inside. Soldered connections and leaks inside the wall are for a plumber.
Stop and call a pro now if
- Water shows up inside the wall, basement or ceiling when the spigot is on: stop using it, shut off its interior valve or the main, and call a plumber.
- Water is near an outlet, wiring or the panel in the basement: switch off that breaker from a dry spot before you go near it.
Common causes and how to tell them apart
1. Worn hose washer
- How to tell
- Water sprays or drips from the threads where the hose screws on, only while the hose is attached and the water is on.
- What fixes it
- Replace the rubber washer inside the hose coupling and hand-tighten the hose.
2. Worn stem washer
- How to tell
- Water keeps dripping from the spout with the handle closed tight.
- What fixes it
- Shut off the water to the spigot, unscrew the packing nut, pull the stem and replace the washer and its brass screw. On a frost-free sillcock the washer is at the end of a long stem, so the whole stem comes out. If it still drips, the seat is worn and the spigot needs replacing.
3. Loose packing nut or worn packing
- How to tell
- Water seeps out around the stem, just behind the handle, while the spigot is on.
- What fixes it
- Tighten the packing nut behind the handle about a quarter turn. If that doesn't stop it, replace the packing or the stem O-ring.
4. Worn vacuum breaker
- How to tell
- Water leaks or spits from the cap on top of the spigot while it's on. A small spurt when you shut it off is normal.
- What fixes it
- Unscrew the cap and replace the rubber seal, or the whole vacuum breaker. Don't remove it for good: it stops hose water from siphoning back into your drinking water.
5. Frost-free sillcock split inside the wall
- How to tell
- The spigot doesn't drip outside, but when it runs, water shows up in the basement, crawl space, wall or ceiling below. Often found in spring after a hose was left attached through a freeze.
- What fixes it
- Stop using it and shut off its interior valve. The sillcock needs replacing, sloped slightly down toward the outside so it drains, and any wet drywall or insulation needs drying or replacing.
6. Loose or cracked pipe connection
- How to tell
- Water drips from the pipe or fitting behind the spigot, inside the basement or crawl space, even with the spigot closed.
- What fixes it
- Shut off the supply. A threaded joint may only need tightening or fresh thread sealant. A cracked pipe or fitting needs a plumber.
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What you can safely try first
- 1Run the spigot with and without the hose attached and watch where the water comes out: the hose threads, the spout, around the handle, or the cap on top.
- 2While it runs, check inside the basement, crawl space or the wall behind it. If you find water, shut the spigot off and close its interior valve.
- 3For a leak at the hose threads, replace the hose washer and hand-tighten the hose.
- 4For a leak around the handle, snug the packing nut behind the handle a quarter turn with a wrench.
- 5For a drip from the spout, shut off the spigot's interior valve or the main and open the spigot to drain it. Then pull the stem and take it to the store to match the washer.
When to call a pro
- Water appears inside the house, wall or basement when the spigot runs.
- It still drips after a new washer, which usually means the seat is worn.
- The spigot or the pipe behind it is cracked, or it's soldered on and needs replacing.
- The spigot has no interior shut-off and the main valve is stuck or hard to reach.
What it costs
| Job | DIY parts | Pro, installed |
|---|---|---|
| Replace a hose washer | $1–$5 | — |
| Replace a stem washer or packing | $5–$15 | $100–$250 |
| Replace a vacuum breaker | $10–$30 | $100–$250 |
| Replace a standard spigot | $15–$40 | $150–$350 |
| Replace a frost-free sillcock | $25–$70 | $200–$500 |
| Repair a split pipe inside the wall, plus drywall | Not recommended | $500–$2,000+ |
Ballpark US ranges as of September 28, 2026. Your region, access and the specifics of your home can move these a lot. Get two or three quotes for anything over a few hundred dollars.
What to tell the pro
My outdoor faucet on the [front / back / side] of the house leaks from [the spout / around the handle / the cap on top / inside the wall or basement when it's on]. It's a [standard / frost-free] spigot, about [age] years old, and a hose [was / wasn't] left attached over the winter. It [has / doesn't have] its own shut-off valve inside, and I've [closed it / shut off the main]. Can you replace it with a frost-free model? Does your price include opening the wall if the pipe inside is damaged, and who handles the drywall?
Questions people ask
Why is water leaking into my basement when I use the outside faucet?
It's usually a frost-free sillcock that split inside the wall. Its valve sits at the inside end of a long tube, so a crack in that tube only leaks when the valve is open. It usually happens when a hose is left attached in freezing weather, trapping water that freezes and splits the tube. Stop using it, shut off its interior valve, and have it replaced.
How do I stop an outdoor faucet from dripping?
If it drips from the spout with the handle closed, the washer on the end of the stem is worn. Shut off the water to the spigot, unscrew the packing nut, pull the stem and replace the washer. If it still drips, the seat is worn and the spigot needs replacing.
Is it normal for water to come out of the top of an outdoor faucet?
A small spurt from the vacuum breaker cap when you shut the water off is normal. Water that leaks or sprays from it while the faucet is on means the seal is worn. Replace the seal or the vacuum breaker, but don't remove it: it keeps hose water from siphoning back into your drinking water.
How do I winterize an outdoor faucet?
Before the first freeze, disconnect the hose and any splitters, even from a frost-free faucet. If it has an interior shut-off valve, close it, then open the outdoor faucet to drain it and leave it open for the winter. If the interior valve has a small drain cap, open it over a bucket to empty the pipe. An insulated faucet cover adds a little extra protection.
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General guidance, not a substitute for a licensed professional who can see the problem in person. If you smell gas, see sparks or smoke, or anyone is hurt, leave the area and call 911.