My water hose spigot leaks

[pook]

The on-off part doesn't leak, but when it's on a bunch of water comes out of the the "anti-siphon" part at the top. My local True Value man said on the phone to bring in the stem so he could fit me a new washer. Where's the stem? Do I take the "anti-siphon" cap off to get to it? I doesn't screw off, but it is loose. I can turn it 'round and 'round all day.

[tropple]

Just before the anti-siphon valve there should be a shut off valve. Turn off the water at that valve and then go outside and check out the hose faucet. The piece that looks like a big nut is what you'll need to twist.

You might need a pair of vise grips or channel lock pliers to hold the pipe while you turn that nut thing with a wrench. You don't want to torque it around while you're undoing the stem.

Once you have it out, the washer is on the bottom. If you bring it to the hardware guy, he can get you the right washer. There're flat ones and ones that are sort of cone shaped. There are O-rings that fit on some, too.

Pay attention to what it looks like and how it all fits together and remember for next time. The faucets on sinks/tubs work more or less the same and you can get the washers for them as well, when you need to. Just get the right diameter and style (flat or cone).

Remember to shut the water off to the brach where you are planning to work! If you don't, you'll end up with water coming out the faucet base and have a hell of a clean up chore.

[pook]

Thank you!

[tropple]

My pleasure.

I'm not a plumber, but I've been getting some good OJT keeping my old house together. Ther are a number of pretty good sites to get home advice.

I go to HandyMan Wire USA (http://www.handymanwire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php) quite a bit. Except for the HVAC forum (its moderator can be somewhat less than helpful at time), you'll get some useful answers from everyone.

[kazoo]

From what I've read, you're working on the wrong portion of the hose bibb. If it isn't leaking, then the washer and seat are good. If it isn't leaking around the stem, then the stem packing is good. The vacuum breaker can fail to seal when pressurized, which is what this sounds like-so that is what you need to disassemble-and it can be serviced any time the bibb is turned off.