Hose bibs are frequently used in gardening so it is no surprise that it wears faster than any tool. Maintenance is needed, which means that you should check these water mechanisms from time to time and consider replacements.
During summer, an outdoor hose bib is more prone to wear and tear due to weather conditions and frequent usage in watering your garden, lawn, and backyard.
Furthermore, much of the wearing is also caused by old fittings that are worn through age. This is the reason why it is important to replace hose bibs because problems may worsen once leakage starts. However, at times, hiring a plumber can be costly, which is why learning to do the task is a thing to seriously consider.
What Does A Hose Bib Do?
A hose bib is a small faucet attachment that is specifically designed to facilitate your access to water outdoors. It is called by many names – water faucet, outdoor tap, hose valve, lawn hydrant, or outdoor spigot but all refer to the same water device on the outside of your home.
How Much Is the Cost of Replacing a Hose Bib?
A basic replacement of a hose bib will typically cost you around $20.00 to $50.00 depending on the type of bib you are installing. But if you will hire a professional to do the job, you will also need to pay for the labor. Assuming that there is no pipe damage, you will pay an average amount of $120.00 to $300.00 for the overall installation.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Outdoor Spigot?
Outdoor spigots come in different types, designs, and sizes which are all factors that could affect your overall installation costs. The average cost of installing an outdoor spigot ranges from $150 to $500 with an average of $200 for the installation of a new brass bib spigot. However, this may still increase if the price of permits and other installations will be included.
How Long Does it Take to Replace a Hose Bib?
While replacing a hose bib can look easy, you might need to understand a few things first before you can fix it. The best way still is to hire a professional, licensed plumber if you are not sure how to use the tools. On average, it takes one to two hours to install a hose bib, but sometimes plumbers can get it done in less than thirty minutes.
How to Replace a Hose Bib? (Easy Steps DIY)
Most of the time, replacing a hose bib is relatively an easy and simple DIY job. By learning to do it yourself, you can save some money that you would otherwise spend hiring a plumber.
To know if your spigot needs replacement, you will need to check a few things first. Thus, any of the following signs could mean that it’s time to change your spigot.
- Water dripping below the spigot
- A puddle has already formed
- Wall or pipe is moist or wet due to leakage
- Rust build up on the hose bib
- Broken faucet or handle
- Clunking noise while water runs in the hose bib
There are not many complicated tools needed in replacing a hose bib, surprisingly. Hence, you may only need to supply the following:
Materials Needed:
- ½-inch Copper pipe or ¾-inch Copper pipe
- ½-inch SharkBite hose bib
- Nylon bristle brush
- Teflon tape (white plumber’s tape)
- Cleaning rags
Tools Required:
- Pipe wrench
- Adjustable wrench
- Mini pipe cutter
- ½ inch x ½ inch SharkBite straight coupling
Cost:
As was mentioned, the cost of replacing a hose bib depends on the materials you will use and the labor fee. If you will do it yourself, you will only have to pay for the materials.
Time:
Depending on the severity of the leakage, you can expect to finish the whole fixing for one to two hours. However, if you will do some tightening on the nuts, it can only take you less than thirty minutes. Usually, plumbers and more experienced individuals do it faster.
Steps:
Once you learn how to replace your hose bib, you will not go back to hiring a plumber anymore. It is easy with the help of a simple instruction guide. Hence, here are the following steps:
(1) Locate your main water line
You must locate your main water line first so you know where to adjust and shut the valve off. Your main water supply is usually located close to the water meter, inside your garage.
(2) Shut off the Main Valve
Once you have located it, you need to turn it off to slow the water flow from the faucet. Be sure that no one is taking a bath, washing, or using the water so you won’t get interrupted.
(3) Remove the hose bib
Using your pipe wrench or adjustable wrench, remove the existing spigot by starting from the screw part of the hose bib. Turn the spigot counterclockwise to loosen it.
(4) Clean the Corrosion
Before you insert the new hose bib, you should clean rust build-ups and corrosion using a bristle brush and cleaning rags.
(5) Insert the New Spigot
Now that it’s clean, you can now insert your new spigot and all the necessary attachments including the right fit of copper pipe. Seal them using plumber’s tape, which is also called Teflon tape to secure the bib and prevent leaks.
(6) Check for Leaks
Simply turn on your faucet to test if you have installed the new hose bib properly. Check for leaks at all joints and adjust accordingly.
How Do You Secure a Hose Bib to Brick? (Easy Steps DIY)
Hose Bibs with sillcock mounting flanges are typically installed in exterior wall surfaces of houses including concrete walls and bricks. Compared with the standard hose bibs, sillcocks must be flanged to the wall with concrete screws.
Materials Needed
- Sillcock
- Masonry screw
- Bit driver
- Brush or air hose
- Pencil
Tools Required
- Hammer drill
Step-by-step Instructions:
- Before anything else, you should mount a masonry screw first using your hammer drill. Drill a slightly larger diameter than the sillcock’s pipe through the brick wall. Once you achieve your target depth, clean the hole using a brush or air hose to remove the remaining debris.
- Push the hose bib supply inlet against the wall and align on its outlet. Hold the hose bib facing the ground then mark your drilling points on the bib’s screw holes using a pencil.
- Next, choose a masonry drill bit that is equivalent to your masonry screw’s drill bit size. Mount it then drill it to each screw hole on the wall. Clean the debris afterward using a brush or an air hose.
- Once again, mount a bit driver to the hammer drill and align the screw holes on the brick wall. While in position, drive the masonry screw onto each of the flange’s holes and through the marked holes on the wall. Drive the screws until they are mounted securely to the brick walls.
Why Is My Outside Spigot Leaking?
A leaking spigot can waste lots of water, but finding it out can help you easily fix whatever’s causing the leak. Outside spigots leaking are most of the time caused by a malfunction of the parts due to damage or wearing. If your outside faucet is leaking, there should be a loose nut or broken washer behind it.
How Do I Stop My Outside Faucet from Leaking?
If you are fortunate, you can stop the leaking by simply tightening the retaining nut under the handle. Don’t crank it up hard as you may damage the faucet more. However, if it is too difficult for you to do it, you can turn off the water source first and proceed with the replacement.
You can also learn more about replacing hose bibs by checking out related videos like this:
Final Verdict
There are many different types of hose bibs that you can deal with that comprise different materials and structures. So, before replacing your hose bib yourself, make sure that you learn the basics first. Overall, learning how to replace a hose bib is easy as long as you understand what you are doing. It can save you some dollars and it can definitely come in handy when you most need it.