Hose Bib Services

If you’ve ever had to drag buckets of water from your kitchen to water your garden, you understand why an outdoor hose bib is necessary. Ideally, you should have two hose bibs on the exterior of your home. With one near the front and a second in the back, you’ll have the most convenience for watering your garden or washing your car.

Because they’re exposed to the elements every day, hose bibs suffer from ongoing wear and tear. Slowly, you’ll notice they stop performing as well as they used to, and they may even begin leaking or rattling. Sometimes repairs solve the problem, but in other cases, a replacement is the only viable option.

When the time comes for your hose bib repair or replacement, Ethical Plumbing will be ready for your call. We’ve been providing residents of Greenville County and surrounding areas with quality plumbing services, including hose bib replacements, for over four decades.

Our plumbing experts are trained to use the highest-grade materials and equipment for all hose bib services.

Hose Bib vs. Spigot

By and large, the terms “hose bib” and “spigot” are used interchangeably, although plumbers and other professionals often prefer to say “spigot” when discussing this hardware.

The hose bib or spigot, also called an outdoor faucet, is a valve that connects to a hose. The spout has fittings that allow you to attach a gardening hose or washing machine hose to it, and it’s typically mounted on an exterior wall of your house.

Signs It’s Time for Hose Bib Repairs

You should inspect your outdoor faucet after inclement weather for signs of damage. To check your hose bib, look for the following:

  • Water coming from the wall after opening the valve
  • Hose bib leaking from the top
  • Water leaking from the handle

If you notice damaged drywall in your home as well, you may have leaky pipes.

Common Problems with Hose Bibs

Like any water faucet, hose bibs need proper maintenance to prevent malfunctions. Because they’re exposed to harsh elements, problems can quickly escalate beyond a minor leak. Several common hose bib problems appear below.

Leaks

After you have shut off the valve, have you noticed it continues to drip? It’s one of the most irritating outdoor water problems for any homeowner. Leaks often occur because the shutoff valve isn’t working correctly, and the continued pressure forces the water through it.

Freezing

When the temperatures become unbearably cold, your hose bib feels the effects too. It can freeze, causing expansion and cracking, leading to a malfunctioning hose bib. The faucet will thaw out as the temperature increases, but likely with consistent leaking.

Rust

The hose bib is made from metal, making it susceptible to rust and corrosion. It becomes more challenging to turn it on or off when this happens. Eventually, the handle may break off while the water is flowing. The only solution is to cut the main water supply.

If you have any of these issues, it may be time to call the plumbers at Ethical Plumbing to get a new outdoor faucet.

Damage Caused by Leaky Hose Bibs

Any kind of water leak in your home is a big deal, even if it’s outside. Ignoring faulty hose bibs can lead to serious issues like:

  • Damage to your foundation
  • Water backup into your home
  • Growth of mold and mildew

These can be costly to repair and are preventable by addressing any issues with your outdoor faucet as quickly as possible.

Causes of Leaky Hose Bibs

Leaky outdoor faucets are typically caused by a slow-developing issue or some sort of damage. Causes of leaky hose bibs include:

  • Age
  • Loose packing nuts
  • Worn-out washers
  • Frost damage

Sometimes the leak may not be an issue with the hose bib, but rather the pipes that supply them. These pipes must be shut off and drained when frigid weather is on the way but before the temperature dips. If the water remains inside the pipes, it could freeze and damage your property.

Proper Hose Bib Repair

Some homeowners don’t immediately notice a leaky hose bib, or it’s not a top priority because it’s out of sight. If your exterior water faucet shows signs of wear or is broken, getting it repaired correctly is crucial.

If you ignore your faulty hose bib, it could waste hundreds of gallons of water and cause your water bill to soar. Furthermore, consistent dripping could indicate a much larger plumbing problem.

Repairing a hose bib is more than focusing on the faucet. It requires the attention of a qualified plumber who thoroughly understands the repair process. Depending on the issue, it can involve working on pipes inside a wall or under the house.

Ethical Plumbing in Greenville County, does not recommend taking this on as a DIY project. It could lead to additional leaking that causes extensive damage to your home and property.

The Challenge of Hose Bib Replacement

Replacing a hose bib is not always a straightforward process, especially if the fixture is old or tattered.

Hose bibs we’re called to inspect have been soldered into place, making the task more complicated. Caution must be taken when removing them to avoid damage to the connecting pipes. After successfully removing the old faucet, replacing it is relatively simple for a professional.

Depending on how the current hose bib was installed, the mortar around the area may have started falling apart. Damaged mortar will not provide enough support for a new hose bib and allows pipes to leak and rattle if left unrepaired. Luckily, this can be fixed with some caulking and additional mortar.

At Ethical Plumbing, we have years of experience removing, installing, and replacing plumbing fixtures of all varieties. We’re prepared to help you with your hose bib replacement in Greenville County.

Should You Repair or Replace Faulty Hose Bibs?

Our licensed plumbers will always give you responsible, professional recommendations for handling your leaky hose bib. However, the decision of whether to repair or replace is ultimately up to you. Every family has different budgetary needs, and we’ll do our best to help you satisfy yours, whichever option you choose.

We Can Solve the Problem

Whether you require a repair or need a complete replacement, we’ve got you covered.

Our plumbers can do the following for your hose bib:

  • Replace cracked hardware
  • Replace damaged packing nuts, bonnet nuts, or washers
  • Repair or replace pipes with breaks or cracks
  • Replace necessary valves

Rely on Ethical Plumbing for quality outdoor faucet repair in the area.

Protect Your Outdoor Faucet

Although Greenville County rarely sees temperatures below freezing, protecting your hose bib is still important. Consider the following precautions when the temperature is expected to reach temperatures of 30 degrees F or lower:

  • Completely drain water from your outdoor faucet
  • Remove, empty, and store any hoses
  • Cut the water supply to the outdoor faucet
  • Leave the outdoor faucet open

A proactive purchase you can make is a hose bib cover that insulates your outdoor faucet in cold temperatures. These are a worthwhile investment that can be used for several seasons.

Whom Should I Call for Hose Bib Repair or Replacement?

The Greenville County community relies on Ethical Plumbing for prompt and efficient plumbing services. When you need dependable hose bib replacement or repair, you can count on our crew of skilled technicians.

Give our team a call to learn more about our hose bib services. We’ll thoroughly inspect your fixtures and provide you with an accurate estimate.

Areas we service: