Leaking Garden Tap

[Reggy]

For the garden taps there seems to be either an additional attachment or we have some kind of tap that is not familiar with me. Either way, it constantly leaks when the water is on. It does not leak at the point where the hose attaches, but from the “thing” itself. I suspect it is a pressure regulator of some sort. What I don’t know is why I would need one and whether it comes off. I have tried to screw it off with pliers, but with no luck. I have attached a photo. Any advice on how to fix it from leaking when on?
Best regards,
Reggy

 

[Snoonyb]

Welcome.
That's a back flow device, that was installed there, as one of the code compliant location choices, which, from your photo, appears to have been installed, cross threaded.

You will need to remove the handle as well as the cold weather wrap from the hose-bib, place a pipe wrench diagonally on the hose-bib, to secure it from moving, while you attempt to remove the back flow device using a large pair of channel-locks.

The downside, is that if the devise was cross-threaded and the threads of the hose bib are damaged, you may need to replace that as well.

Back flow devices are available at most hrdw. venders.

Be sure to rewrap the cold weather insulation.

 

[Reggy]

Welcome.
That's a back flow device, that was installed there, as one of the code compliant location choices, which, from your photo, appears to have been installed, cross threaded.

You will need to remove the handle as well as the cold weather wrap from the hose-bib, place a pipe wrench diagonally on the hose-bib, to secure it from moving, while you attempt to remove the back flow device using a large pair of channel-locks.

The downside, is that if the devise was cross-threaded and the threads of the hose bib are damaged, you may need to replace that as well.

Back flow devices are available at most hrdw. venders.

Be sure to rewrap the cold weather insulation.

Excellent, I can do that. Appreciate the info.

 

[PJB12]

When you search for a new one, it's called a "Hose Bibb Backflow Preventer". Sometimes they are called "Hose Bibb Vacuum Breaker".

Water from where the arrow is pointing is often normal.
If you turn off the hose bibb (spigot, faucet or any of the 10 other names), and there is a nozzle on the other end of the hose that is closed, water will come out where the arrow points. That means the hose bibb backflow preventer doing its job.

(It is meant to stop water from entering your plumbing system when the pressure past the device is higher than before the device, such as when the valve is turned off when a closed hose is attached.)

Often the little diaphragm in the hose bibb back flow preventer simply wrinkles over time, or the tiny stem spring gets weak. Either will make it leak full time.

The photo shows pipe tape where the hose attaches. To me, this means the hose connection also leaks. Try one of these things:
A) Flip the hose washer up side down in the hose fitting. (They get a groove in them after time. Flipping gives a fresh surface)

B) Try a new washer. (They can dry out)

C) Stack two washers, the old one on bottom. (Sometimes the hose end gets worn & the threads are loose. The extra washer will put more pressure to hold things together tightly.)

Best of Luck & let us know how things worked out!
Paul
PS: If you live where it gets cold in winter, take the hose bibb vacuum breaker off for winter. Freezing bends the stem and the thing will leak next spring.

 

[havasu]

The set screw on the vacuum breaker is a soft brass. Many folks will drill them out before unscrewing, saving the threads on the faucet.

 

[Snoonyb]

From the #1 photo, it appears that the set screw has been either removed or broken off.

When they first appeared, they didn't have set screws, then CA, IAPMO got involved, so I apologies for that omission.

 

[68bucks]

Are you 100% sure it's not leaking from above the back flow preventer? Hose bibs will often develop a stem leak. There is probably a packing nut under the insulation. After you remove the insulation test it again to verify where it's leaking. If it's the packing a little tweak on the packing nut will probably fix it. I'm talking like a 1/16 of a turn, not much. Just throwing out some other thoughts before you tear is all apart to find that wasn't the problem. You know, like most of us on hear have done.

 

[PJB12]

From the #1 photo, it appears that the set screw has been either removed or broken off.

When they first appeared, they didn't have set screws, then CA, IAPMO got involved, so I apologies for that omission.

The BOCA Compliant ones come with a screw having a head that's designed to snap off flush with the body when tightened. This prevents removal and/or theft. Then, the only recourse is what Havasu said about drilling them out.

The non-BOCA ones have a socket head set screw instead for removal, such as for winter. Take a look straight in. Perhaps you'll see hex shaped hole in the shaft for a hex key wrench. (Allen wrench).

 

[Snoonyb]

When we started the program in LA, CA, folks asked, and I explained that, were you in your yard watering, with the nozzle in the open position, and were there a loss oof water supply, (likely from an earthquake), and you dropped the hose into a puddle of water, ran into the house, bypassing the shutoff for the hose, water could be siphoned back into the potable water system.

Most smiled, shook their head, and asked if the inspectors return, after the final.