Outdoor Faucet Leaking? How to Fix a Hose Bib Leak in Arlington

Most outdoor faucet leaks come from a worn washer, a loose packing nut, a bad vacuum breaker or a cracked pipe behind the wall. A drip from the spout or handle is usually a small fix. Water inside the wall, a wet slab edge or a meter that keeps moving means the leak is hidden. If you cannot find the source, call (817) 285-5426.

If the leak turns out to be under the house instead, our slab leak detection Arlington service traces it without tearing up floors.

Why is my outdoor faucet leaking?

An outdoor faucet, also called a hose bib or spigot, leaks for five common reasons. The washer inside wears out and the spout drips. The packing around the stem wears and water leaks at the handle. The vacuum breaker on top fails. A freeze cracks the pipe behind the wall. Or the pipe joint inside the wall works loose.

Can I fix a dripping hose bib myself?

Often, yes. Turn off the water to the faucet, then try a quarter turn on the packing nut behind the handle. If the spout still drips, replace the washer at the end of the stem. A new hose washer fixes most leaks at the hose connection. If water shows up inside the house, stop and call for help.

1. Shut off the water. Some homes have a valve inside; many need the main water shut-off valve.
2. Tighten the packing nut a quarter turn and test.
3. Replace the stem washer if the spout still drips.
4. Swap the hose washer and check the vacuum breaker cap.
5. Look inside. Check the wall behind the faucet and the floor near it for damp spots.

Did a freeze crack my outdoor faucet pipe?

If the leak started after a hard freeze, it is likely. When a hose is left on, water stays in the pipe behind the wall, freezes and splits it. Often the leak only shows up the first time you turn the faucet on in spring. Water then runs into the wall cavity or down to the slab edge.

Arlington does not freeze often, but when it does, it can be hard, as many homes learned in February 2021. Our guide to preventing frozen pipes shows how to protect outdoor faucets before the next cold snap.

What if the leak is underground?

Many Arlington homes feed outdoor faucets and sprinklers from lines that run under the yard. A soggy strip of grass, a sunken spot or a meter that moves with every tap off can mean the leak is in the buried line, not the faucet. That calls for line tracing and acoustic detection.

Our guide to waterline leak detection Arlington homeowners rely on explains how we find buried line leaks without digging up the yard. If the wet area is near sprinkler heads or a valve box, the cause may be the irrigation system; see our guide to irrigation leak detection Arlington homes need after a dry summer.

How do I check for a hidden leak behind the faucet?

Close every tap in the house and watch the leak indicator on your water meter. If it moves, close the valve that feeds the outdoor faucet, if you have one, and watch again. If it stops, the leak is on the faucet line. Inside, look for bubbling paint, a damp baseboard or a musty smell on the wall behind the faucet.

Read our high water bill guide for the full meter test, and signs of a leak in a wall for indoor clues.

How much does it cost to fix an outdoor faucet leak?

A washer or packing fix is a small job. A cracked pipe behind the wall costs more because the wall must be opened. If the leak is hidden, basic leak detection in Arlington runs about $150 to $400 and water line leak detection about $200 to $500. You get the price before work starts.

General estimates for Arlington, TX in 2026. Your exact price is confirmed before any work begins.