Handy Father DIY: Replace a garden hose bibb. My garden hose faucet, spicket, or hose bibb as it’s properly called leaks when I open the valve to use the hose. It leaks out on top where the handle is.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Whether the leaking hose bibb is caused by age, or by an improper winterization from a previous homeowner, I do not know.

This fact is irrelevant. I have to replace a garden hose bibb.  The constant leaking hose will no longer be tolerated.

This is how to replace a garden hose bibb:

1. Shut off water supply to exterior hose bibb.
2. Use two wrenches to remove the old hose bib.  One wrench to hold the pipe behind the bibb in place, and the other to turn the bibb itself in a counter-clockwise direction.  This will remove the bibb, making way for a new one.
3. Wrap the old pipe threads with Teflon tape, or use a plumber’s putty on the threads for a good, strong seal.
4. Attach a new hose bib using the reverse of step two.  Be sure to use a wrench on the pipe to hold it steady as you use the second wrench to tighten the new hose bibb.  This will prevent any unwanted twisting of the supporting pipe. There should be about 2-3 threads left on the connecting pipe outside of the bibb. (This is extremely important if you have copper pipes with a threaded connector on the end, as copper pipe is not designed to be wrenched on, and you’ll damage it easily.)
5. Turn on the water pressure and check for leaks.
6. If there are no leaks, you’re done.  If there are leaks, turn off the pressure and remove the bibb once more.  Then add more teflon tape or plumber’s putty and reinstall the bibb once more.  Remember that there should be about 2-3 threads left on the connecting pipe outside of the bibb.

Enjoy the fact that it is easy to replace a garden hose bibb.  Any Handy Father can do it, and that means YOU!

Replace a garden hose bibb yourself, or find another handy father to do it.  This is also a task that would be easy enough to show your kids.