Finally! A Simple Breakdown of Outdoor Faucet Components
Outdoor faucets are extremely useful for supplying water outside the house, whether for gardening, washing cars, or recreational purposes. But when something goes awry with your outdoor faucet, it can often seem complex to diagnose and repair. By understanding the anatomy of a faucet and the purpose of each component, homeowners can better maintain and troubleshoot issues with their outdoor water tap.
Supply Pipe: The Water Delivery System
The supply pipe carries water from the indoor plumbing system to the outdoor faucet. This pipe runs through the wall to connect with the shank inlet of the faucet. Supply pipes are usually made of copper, galvanized steel, or brass. A shutoff valve is installed along the supply pipe line which allows you to turn off water access to the outdoor faucet separately from the main water line.
Wall Mount: Securing the Fixture Outside
Wall mounts firmly anchor the faucet assembly to the exterior wall of the house. There are a few different types of outdoor faucet mounts:
- Exposed mount - Secured on top of the wall surface
- Flush mount - Fixed from behind the wall
- Angle stop valve - Includes a shutoff valve conveniently mounted near the faucet
Faucet Housing and Spigot: Holding Key Internal Parts
The main faucet housing encloses several critical functioning components inside. This includes washers, seals, valves, and attachments for the handle and spigot. The housing is usually made of brass or plastic. It connects the supply pipe with the output spigot.
The spigot (also called an outlet or spout) sticks out visibly from the housing. This curved nozzle allows the water flow to come streaming out. Some spigots have a screen filter inside to catch grit and sediment.
Internal Housing Components
Within the faucet housing lies several lesser-known but equally important parts.
Valve Seat
Deep inside near the supply pipe is the valve seat. This small rubber or plastic ring acts as a seal to prevent water from escaping when the faucet gets switched off. When closed, the valve seat sits snugly against a movable disc stopper.
Stem Washer
Wrapped around the lower portion of the spindle is a flexible rubber stem washer. As the spindle gets turned by the faucet handle, the washer presses against an interior seal creating a water-tight connection. This allows the spindle to rotate without letting water leak out around it.
Spindle
The spindle is a central rod component connected to the movable faucet handle. It maneuvers up and down to control water flow on and off. The bottom of the spindle attaches to threaded valve parts which enable this key action.
Anti-Siphon Valves
Outdoor faucets should be equipped with a special anti-siphon valve, particularly if you plan to attach a hose or irrigation system. These safety devices prevent contaminated water from flowing backwards into your fresh household water supply if pressure drops.
Packing Washer & Nut: Sealing Water In
Up near the top faucet handle is another sealing duo - the packing washer and packing nut. After being rotated, the spindle needs to pass through the faucet housing without dripping water. The string-like packing washer wraps tightly around the spindle to prevent leaks at this junction.
The metal packing nut then screws into place over the washer, securing the handle tightly against the housing. Over time as internal seals age, gently tightening this nut can often eliminate early handle leaks.
The All-Important Faucet Handle
The handle is the most visible and functional external component that controls water flow operations. By turning the handle counter-clockwise, you allow water to travel downward through the faucet's inner mechanisms. Turning clockwise again stops the flow by shutting the valve seat.
Most outdoor faucet handles have a shape design suited for easy gripping, even with wet, dirty hands or gloves. Handles attach either to a core spindle rod or a cartridge/stem that presses down on interior seals when operated. This handle piece causes the magic to happen!
Common Problems and DIY Repairs
Knowing the anatomy of an outdoor faucet helps troubleshoot issues faster. Here are some typical failures and fixes:
Leaky Faucet Spigot
If you have a persistent water drip from the spigot, the likely culprits are worn valve seats or stem washers inside that can't form water-tight seals. Replacing these parts - fairly easy DIY fixes - usually solves the problem.
Loose Faucet Handle
Over time, faucet handles can become loose and wiggle uncomfortably. Tightening the packing nut behind most handles takes out any play quickly without major disassembly. Just be careful not to over-tighten.
All outdoor faucets share several standard component parts - supply pipes, wall mounts, housings, handles, and washers. Understanding the functionality of each piece leads to better maintenance. Fixing a leaky outdoor spigot yourself is also less daunting when you know exactly what hidden parts need your attention and which tools to use for the job.