What do I need to know about changing a leaking spigot? Water drips from the hot water handle, when the handle is barely turned on. It looks like the cold water spigot was replaced. (Been here 18 yrs. so I don't know when it was replaced.) The house was built in '64, if that makes any difference.

Thank you for your time.

kallyk

Hi Kallyk...

If I understand you here then it sounds like the PACKING NUT is leaking at the handle.

All you should need to do here is tighten the packing nut using a pair of pliers and an open end wrench and you should be all set (see 1st image).

A packing nut is exactly that... a nut that packs a graphite rope or a washer down so that water won't leak at the handle... it is meant to be tightened on occasion or even re-packed if it has been tightened too many times over the years.

I'm betting yours will only need a 1/4 turn or so (maximum) to fix this for this year. You may have to re-tighten again next year or may even need to purchase some graphite packing and re-pack the packing nut some day, but for now try to tighten the packing nut... see if that works.

PS: Hold against yourself as in the picture to avoid damaging anything... ;)

MARK