While a slow-dripping faucet may not seem like a big deal, it can lead to some severe issues. Not only can it cause damage to your home and property, but a leaking faucet also wastes a significant amount of water. Although a single drip at a time may not seem like a lot, it can accumulate quickly over time. This is wasteful and can cost you a lot of money on your next water bill.

There are two main types of leaks that you may encounter when dealing with your outdoor faucet: a spout leak and a base leak.

• Spout leaks occur when water slowly drips out of the spout, even once the tap has been turned off.
• A base leak occurs when water leaks out of the base of the faucet, where it attaches to the pipe supply line.

You will need to contact a plumber to stop a dripping outdoor faucet. First, you should understand why the outdoor faucet is leaking:

1. Outdoor faucet is leaking because of a worn-out washer.

Inside your outdoor faucet is a washer that sits tightly against the fixture’s valve seat. The purpose of this washer is to create a water-tight seal that prevents water from seeping out where it shouldn’t.

Over time or due to poor installation, this washer can wear out. This causes water to leak. If the washer is old, the wrong sized washer was used, or it was installed incorrectly, you may experience a leak in your outdoor faucet.

Fortunately, fixing a worn-out washer is an easy and inexpensive process. Simply replace the old washer with a new one you can purchase at your local hardware store. 

2. Outdoor faucet is leaking because of a broken o-ring.

Within your outdoor faucet is a component called a cartridge. This cartridge stops water from flowing out of the spout when the tap is turned off. Inside of the cartridge is the o-ring. This ring helps attach the faucet’s handle to the rest of the device.

If water is dripping from your spout, even when your tap has been tightly shut off, your o-ring is the culprit. In some instances, the o-ring can be replaced; however, in others, you may need to replace the entire faucet. 

3. Outdoor faucet is leaking because of loose components.

If you use your outdoor faucet regularly, the components inside may become loose. This is a common problem that causes leaks to occur. If the packing nuts or adjusting rings wiggle out of alignment, it can lead to a faucet that drips or spews water. Tightening these components is quick and easy and will keep your tap from leaking in the future. 

4. Outdoor faucet is leaking because of high water pressure.

If the water pressure coming out of your faucet is too high, it can lead to leaks. High water pressure is usually a more serious, underlying issue. It can cause water to flow out of your faucet even when it’s turned off. If this issue isn’t taken care of promptly, it can lead to more serious issues. If you suspect that high water pressure is the cause of your leaking outdoor faucet, call in a professional to diagnose the problem. 

A dripping outdoor faucet can be an annoying issue with significant and damaging consequences if not taken care of. If you are suffering from a leaking tap, call a plumber to help you. They will be able to quickly identify the cause of your issue and have it fixed in no time. 

Signs of outdoor water faucet leaking

A leaking faucet can be very dangerous to your home and your property. It can lead to a variety of issues that can require more work and money to fix in the future. 

Mould growth

Constant dripping water will keep the soil and foundation of your home wet at all times. This can lead to an overgrowth of mould, mildew, and moss. It can also cause mould to grow on the faucet fixture, deteriorating even quicker. 

Damage to the foundation

When your foundation is wet for long periods, it can cause the concrete and cement to break down. Over time this can lead to structural damage and impair the integrity of your home. 

Damage to your basement

As the water slowly pools around your home, it can begin to seep through the foundation and into the basement. This can lead to leaks and damage to the interior of your home. It can also cause mould growth inside your house, causing respiratory issues for you and the entire family. 

Damage to the fixture

Allowing a faucet to continue to leak can cause more significant damage to the fixture. Often, when caught right away, the fixture can be repaired. However, the fixture can degrade beyond repair if left to leak for long periods before being taken care of. In these instances, you will need to replace the entire faucet, which can be time-consuming and costly.