What causes an outdoor faucet to leak around the handle?

Leaking around the handle is almost always caused by worn or dried-out stem packing. The packing is a rubber washer, graphite cord, or packing nut assembly that seals the stem where it passes through the faucet body. Over time it dries out, compresses, or deteriorates and allows water to seep past.

What is the difference between a stem leak and a spout drip on an outdoor faucet?

A stem leak appears around the handle or packing nut when the faucet is turned on — water drips down the handle or body. A spout drip comes from the nozzle opening when the faucet is off and indicates a worn seat washer at the bottom of the stem, which is a separate repair.

Do I need to shut off the main water supply to repair an outdoor faucet stem?

Yes. Shut off the water supply to the outdoor faucet, which may be a dedicated shutoff valve in the basement or crawlspace, or the main supply valve if there is no dedicated shutoff. Open the outdoor faucet after shutting off supply to release remaining pressure in the line.

How do I know what size packing or stem to buy?

Remove the existing stem and take it to a hardware store or home center for matching. You can also photograph the faucet brand and model number (often stamped on the body) and look up the compatible packing kit or stem online. Bring the old parts whenever possible — matching by sight is the most reliable method.

Can I just tighten the packing nut instead of replacing the packing?

Sometimes, yes. If the leak is minor and the packing is not visibly worn, tightening the packing nut a quarter turn clockwise with a wrench will stop the leak without any parts replacement. Do not overtighten — this can make the handle very stiff or damage the faucet body.

How long does an outdoor faucet stem packing last?

Stem packing typically lasts 5 to 10 years depending on usage and water quality. Faucets used frequently or in areas with mineral-heavy water tend to wear packing faster. Replacing packing proactively during any faucet service call is inexpensive and avoids future leaks.

How to Fix a Leaking Outdoor Faucet Stem: Step-by-Step Guide

An outdoor faucet that drips or leaks around the handle wastes water, can damage the siding behind it, and in winter may allow freezing water to back up toward the house. The most common cause of handle-area leaks on outdoor faucets is worn stem packing — the sealing material that wraps around the valve stem inside the faucet body.

Understanding the Outdoor Faucet Stem Assembly

A standard outdoor hose bib (the technical name for an outdoor faucet) works by turning a stem that has a rubber washer at its tip against a seat inside the faucet body. The stem passes through the faucet body and is sealed by packing — either a rubber O-ring, graphite packing cord, or a packing washer held in place by a packing nut. When you see water weeping out around the handle or down the faucet body while the water is on, the packing has failed.

Tools and Materials You Will Need

Adjustable wrench or pipe wrench
Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
Needle-nose pliers
Outdoor faucet packing repair kit
Replacement hose bib stem (if stem is corroded or damaged)
Teflon tape (plumber’s tape)
Plumber’s grease
Towels

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply

Locate the shutoff valve for the outdoor faucet. Many homes have a dedicated shutoff inside the basement or crawlspace on the pipe feeding the hose bib. Turn it clockwise to close. If you cannot find a dedicated shutoff, use the main water supply valve for the house.

Open the outdoor faucet fully after shutting off supply — this releases pressure and drains remaining water from the pipe so you can work on it dry.

Step 2: Remove the Handle

Pry off the decorative cap on the handle (if present) with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the screw underneath and pull the handle straight off the stem. If the handle is stuck from corrosion, wiggle it gently side to side while pulling — do not force it hard or you may crack a plastic handle.

Step 3: Remove the Packing Nut

Behind the handle, you will see a hexagonal packing nut. Use an adjustable wrench to turn it counterclockwise and unscrew it from the faucet body. Have a towel ready — residual water will drain out as you remove the nut.

Once the packing nut is off, look inside it and at the stem behind it. You should see the old packing material: a rubber washer, O-ring, or graphite cordage wrapped around the stem.

Step 4: Replace the Packing

Remove all old packing material from the nut and stem using needle-nose pliers. Clean the surfaces with a dry cloth.

Install the new packing from your repair kit:

If using a packing washer or O-ring: Slide the new washer onto the stem before threading the packing nut back on.
If using graphite packing cord: Wrap two to three turns of cord clockwise around the stem in the channel behind the packing nut seat. Tuck the end in neatly so it will compress when the nut is tightened.

Apply a thin coat of plumber’s grease to the new packing and to the stem threads before reassembly. This extends packing life and makes future repairs easier.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Thread the packing nut back onto the faucet body clockwise by hand until snug, then tighten with the wrench — firm, but not over-tightened. The handle should still turn smoothly when the packing nut is correctly tightened. Reattach the handle, replace the handle screw, and snap the decorative cap back on.

Turn the water supply back on slowly. Open the outdoor faucet and watch around the handle for any dripping while the water runs. A properly packed stem will be completely dry around the handle area.

Step 6: Replace the Full Stem If Needed

If the stem itself is visibly corroded, pitted, or the seat washer at its tip is deteriorated (causing a drip at the nozzle even when fully off), replace the entire stem. Unscrew the packing nut fully and pull the stem straight out of the faucet body — it unscrews from the inside once the handle turns it enough. Take the old stem to the hardware store for an exact match. Frost-free hose bib repair kits include both a new stem and packing washer in one package and work for the most common faucet types.

Install the new stem by threading it into the faucet body clockwise, reassemble the packing nut, and test as described above. With a fresh stem and packing, your outdoor faucet should be fully watertight and smooth-operating for years to come.

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Shut Off the Water Supply
Locate the shutoff valve for the outdoor faucet. Many homes have a dedicated shutoff inside the basement or crawlspace on the pipe feeding the hose bib. Turn it clockwise to close.
Remove the Handle
Pry off the decorative cap on the handle (if present) with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the screw underneath and pull the handle straight off the stem.
Remove the Packing Nut
Behind the handle, you will see a hexagonal packing nut. Use an adjustable wrench to turn it counterclockwise and unscrew it from the faucet body. Have a towel ready — residual water will drain out as you remove the nut.
Replace the Packing
Remove all old packing material from the nut and stem using needle-nose pliers. Clean the surfaces with a dry cloth.
Reassemble and Test
Thread the packing nut back onto the faucet body clockwise by hand until snug, then tighten with the wrench — firm, but not over-tightened. The handle should still turn smoothly when the packing nut is correctly tightened.
Replace the Full Stem If Needed
If the stem itself is visibly corroded, pitted, or the seat washer at its tip is deteriorated (causing a drip at the nozzle even when fully off), replace the entire stem.