Post By Admin
March 27, 2025If your faucet keeps dripping or running even when it’s off, it’s a sign that something isn’t right as it can be an indication of a bigger plumbing issue just waiting to be fixed. Besides driving you crazy with that constant ‘drip-drip’ sound, a leaking spigot is often the first symptom of a much bigger plumbing issue hiding inside your walls.
In Melbourne, our unpredictable weather and high mains water pressure can frequently wreak havoc on exposed outdoor plumbing.
So why is the leak occurring? Most importantly, how to stop it? In this guide, we will cover the most probable reasons why the outside faucet leaks when turned off and the steps to fix it.
If it’s not clear if the leak is easy to repair or not, it’s likely better to give a leak detection service call and avoid the hassle and cost of water damage! Water pooling constantly against your exterior brickwork can lead to severe rising damp, attracting termites and seriously compromising your home’s foundation.
Common Causes of Leaking Outdoor Faucet
What is actually behind the leak? The first step to the end of the drip is figuring out the culprit.
Let’s go through the most typical suspects and what to do about them.
1. Damaged Valves
Every time you turn the tap off, this rubber washer presses against the valve seat to stop water from flowing.
Over time, washers might wear out, which leads to an outside faucet that keeps dripping after being shut off.
Many older Australian taps use a traditional rubber washer seated on a jumper valve. However, if your tap features a modern quarter-turn ceramic disc cartridge, a continuous leak usually means the entire internal cartridge has cracked and requires full replacement.
A major reason these washers fail prematurely is because homeowners tend to aggressively over-tighten the handle to stop a minor drip, which actually crushes and shreds the rubber seal much faster than normal wear and tear.
2. Worn-Out Packing Nut or Seal
If your spigot is leaking when turned off, another common issue is a worn-out packing nut or seal inside the faucet assembly.
This part helps prevent water from seeping through the handle when the faucet is shut off. If it deteriorates, water can escape even when the tap is fully closed.
Sometimes, you don’t even need to replace the seal right away—simply grabbing a shifting spanner and giving the packing nut a quick quarter-turn clockwise is often enough to compress the internal rubber and stop a minor spindle leak instantly.
3. Cracked or Burst Pipe
Sometimes, the problem isn’t the faucet itself but the pipe connected to it.
A burst pipe—especially one that cracked due to freezing temperatures—can lead to water leaking from the faucet, even when turned off.
While Melbourne doesn’t see heavy snow, outer suburbs absolutely experience sudden winter frosts. If water freezes inside the exposed pipe, it rapidly expands, causing hairline cracks in the brass body of the tap or the copper pipework hidden behind your brick wall.
Keep an eye out for powdery white stains (efflorescence) on your exterior brickwork directly behind the tap; this is a massive red flag that a cracked pipe is slowly leaking water into your wall cavity.
4. Dangerously High Water Pressure
If you find yourself constantly replacing outdoor tap washers every few months, the culprit might actually be your property’s overall water pressure.
If the water pressure coming from the street supply is too high, it will repeatedly crush and destroy the internal rubber seals.
A licensed plumber can easily diagnose this and install a pressure limiting valve at your meter to protect your entire home’s plumbing system.
Remember, if your outdoor taps are blowing out due to pressure, it means your expensive indoor appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine are also under immense stress and at high risk of blowing a hose.
5. Mixing Incompatible Metals (Galvanic Corrosion)
If you’ve found a cheap galvanised steel garden fitting directly to your brass outdoor tap, a chemical reaction called galvanic corrosion occurs.
This reaction literally eats away at the metal threads over time, causing microscopic leaks that no amount of tightening or new rubber washers will ever be able to fix. The entire tap body will need to be replaced.
How to Fix a Leaking Outdoor Faucet?
If your outdoor faucet drips when turned off, don’t worry—it’s usually an easy fix! Let’s get your faucet back in top shape!
1. Prepare the Tools
Before you start, gather the necessary tools and materials. Having everything ready will make the process smoother. Here’s what you’ll need:
- An adjustable wrench
- Screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips)
- Plumber’s tape
- Replacement washers and seals
- Pipe cutter (if fixing a damaged pipe)
- Bucket and towel (to catch any water)
- A can of WD-40 (to help loosen rusted, seized handles)
- A stiff wire brush (to clean dirty, grit-filled threads before reassembly)
2. Turn Off the Water Supply
You don’t want to get soaked while working! Locate the shut-off valve for your outdoor faucet and turn it off. If there isn’t a dedicated shut-off valve, you may need to turn off the main water supply to your house.
3. Disassemble the Faucet
Next, you need to disassemble the faucet by following these steps:
- Use a wrench to remove the faucet handle. If the handle screw feels completely stuck, do not force it or you will snap the spindle. Spray some WD-40 on it, wait ten minutes, and try again gently.
- Unscrew the packing nut and pull out the valve stem.
- Inspect the components for signs of wear, especially the washer and seals.
4. Replace the Washer and Seals
If the outdoor faucet drips when turned off, the washer or seals are likely the problem. Therefore, follow these steps:
- Remove the old washer from the valve stem.
- Replace it with a new one of the same size. When buying replacements at the hardware store, bring the old parts with you. Buying a standard 12mm washer for a 15mm tap is a common rookie mistake that guarantees the leak will continue.
- Check the packing nut and replace the seal if it’s worn out.
- Apply plumber’s tape to the threads before reassembling the faucet.
Pro Tip: Before inserting the new washer, run your finger (carefully) inside the tap body. If the brass seat feels rough, pitted, or jagged, use a tap reseating tool to grind it perfectly smooth. If you skip this critical step, the new washer will not sit flush and will simply get chewed up by the rough metal within weeks, causing the leak to return.
5. Check for Pipe Damage
If replacing the washer didn’t solve the issue, you may have a burst pipe or a leak in the plumbing behind the faucet:
- Inspect the pipe leading to the faucet for cracks or visible damage.
- If needed, cut out the damaged section using a pipe cutter.
- Replace it with a new pipe section and secure it with fittings.
6. Reassemble and Test
In the end, you have to reassemble and test the faucet:
- Apply a tiny dab of plumber’s silicone grease to the spindle and O-rings before sliding them back into the housing. This prevents the rubber from tearing and makes the tap significantly easier to turn on and off.
- Put the faucet back together in the reverse order of disassembly.
- Turn the water supply back on. When turning the main water meter back on, open the valve very slowly. Turning it on too fast sends a massive shockwave of trapped air and water through the pipes that can instantly blow out your brand-new seals.
- Test the faucet to see if the leak has stopped.
Once you’ve completed these steps, turn the water back on and check for any remaining drips.
If the problem persists, you may need to inspect your plumbing system further or consider professional help to properly fix a leaking pipe connected to your outdoor faucet.
Read more: How to Fix Black Water Coming Out of the Faucet
When to Call a Plumber
Swapping out a rubber washer is a classic weekend DIY job, and if you have a shifting spanner, you can usually handle it yourself. But there is a very fine line between a quick fix and a total disaster.
So, at what point do you actually need a licensed professional for a simple garden tap?
If you have already replaced the washer and the leak comes right back, the internal brass body is likely chewed up and needs professional reseating or a full replacement. Also, if you try to unscrew the tap handle and it feels completely rusted solid, stop pulling immediately.
Forcing a seized tap will just snap the fragile copper pipe hiding inside your brick wall and breaking that pipe turns a minor annoyance into an instant flooding emergency.
Recognising when a job is slightly above your pay grade is the absolute easiest way to protect your weekend and your wallet. That is exactly where expert plumbers step in. Instead of wrestling with a rusted tap or risking a broken pipe inside your wall, they will jump in, replace the worn-out parts safely and get your yard back to normal without the headache.
FAQ about Leaking Outdoor Faucet
1. Is it normal for an outside faucet to drip?
No, an outside faucet should not drip when turned off.
If you notice your outdoor spigot leaks when turned off, it’s likely due to a worn-out washer, a faulty valve, or even pipe damage. Ignoring it can lead to water waste and potential plumbing issues, so it’s best to fix it as soon as possible.
2. What happens if you don’t cover your outdoor faucet?
Leaving your outdoor faucet exposed during winter can lead to frozen pipes, which may burst and cause significant water damage.
A faucet cover helps insulate and protect it from freezing temperatures, reducing the risk of costly repairs.
3. Is it better to cover outside faucets or let them drip?
Both methods can help prevent freezing, but covering your outdoor faucet is the better long-term solution.
Allowing it to drip may prevent freezing, but it wastes water and isn’t a foolproof method. Insulating your faucet is a more effective way to protect your pipes from cold weather.
4. What does an exterior water shut-off valve look like?
An exterior water shut-off valve typically looks like a round or lever-style handle, often located inside your home near where the faucet connects to the plumbing system.
If your outdoor spigot leaks when turned off, shutting off this valve can stop the water flow until you fix the issue.
5. Where is the water shut off valve for an outside faucet?
The shut-off valve for an outdoor faucet is usually found inside the home, often in the basement, crawl space, or near the main water supply line. If you experience a severe leak, turning off this valve can prevent further water damage until the necessary repairs are made.
Conclusion
Leaky outdoor faucets can be frustrating, but the good news is that they’re often fixable with the right approach.
By identifying the cause and taking the necessary repair steps, you can stop the drip and prevent future plumbing problems. But hey, if the leak refuses to back down, why battle it alone?
Plumbers at Neighbourhood Plumbing are just a call away! Let us handle the tricky repairs while you sit back and enjoy a leak-free yard. Need more plumbing tips? Check out our blog for more DIY tricks and expert advice!
About the Author
From unclogging the toughest drains to repairing leaking toilets, Ricky is a seasoned plumber who has brought his craftmanship to homes across Melbourne. He is passionate about sharing plumbing tips just as much as he is about fixing your plumbing issues. So, when your taps or pipes begin leaking, you know who to call.
