replacing hydrant...can you just replace the middle part...

mldollins · #1 04/09/10, 07:25 PM

I have a frostfree faucet. I have not a clue to its length. Are they all standard lengths? What I would rather do is remove the middle part and not have to replumb. Hope this makes sense

I have a leak when I turn it on around the twist part. I have attempted to tighten it but it does not help the leak and it makes it harder to turn.

Darren · #2 04/09/10, 08:13 PM

There's an adjustment nut at the top that surrounds the operating rod. Tightening that compresses the seal or packing around the rod. I recently adjusted one of mine which stopped a leak around the rod. I didn't notice any more difficulty.

One reading your post the second time it appears you have a through the wall model. If that's the case, shut off the water, and then unscrew the valve stem. Once that's out you can can check the seat seal and then remove the handle and packing nut to check the seal near the handle.

mldollins · #3 04/09/10, 08:48 PM

Okay...thanks....

I have attempted to tighten it but it does not help it. In fact, it is hard to turn and still it leaks. So, if I pull the stem out, I should be able to see the packing. Is it easy to replace the packing?

thanks

Ed Norman · #4 04/09/10, 08:56 PM

On our frost free yard hydrants, and thru the wall frost frees, the packing nut only stops leaking while the water is running. There should be no water close to it when it is shut off. The yard hydrant is easy to repair. Remove the handle and the packing nut, pull the rod out... shut the water supply off first. You will be reminded if you didn't. Then uncrew the rubber plunger-stopper at the bottom and replace with a new one from a repair kit. Shove it back in, reassemble the top end, and turn on the water supply.

I've never repaired a wall hydrant, always replaced them, so I don't know if it is possible.

Beeman · #5 04/09/10, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldollins

Okay...thanks....

I have attempted to tighten it but it does not help it. In fact, it is hard to turn and still it leaks. So, if I pull the stem out, I should be able to see the packing. Is it easy to replace the packing?

thanks

I don't know what you're turning, doesn't the handle lift up? Look at the manufacturers web site for a parts breakdown and you'll see how it comes apart. If you have it open and loosen the packing nut you will get very wet.

mldollins · #6 04/09/10, 09:06 PM

I am talking about an outside faucet in the wall. I know in time past that I tightened the handle and the leaking stopped. It appears that I have gone as far as possible regarding the tightening.

The faucet is not one of those in the yard. It appears that the packing is the issue. I assume you remove the old packing before adding new....?

arabian knight · #7 04/09/10, 09:32 PM

I do believe they come in a few different lengths. like 10 inches 12 inches. 14 inches. For those walls that are really thick. But you can take out The Stem, and then take it to the home improvement center to get the same length.
This is a Wall Frost free Faucet, not a hydrant type. The ones that go on the side of the house and the shutoff is then Inside the building to prevent it from freezing, I have had those years ago. They do work good.