I have three outside spigots I want to replace. How do I tell if they are screwed on or soldered (sp) on? With it flush to the brick I can't see and I don't want to twist it off. The pipe is copper so I'm guessing soldered. It is not a no freeze spigot. How do I replace them with a screw on type so I can easily replace them in the future? Do I need a plumber for this?

Thanks!:)

If the correct spigots were installed, they'll be the type that go all the way through the foundation and are connected inside. Look inside your home for where those lines come in - and you should be able to see how they're connected from there.

I apologize. I see that you say they're not "no freeze" type.

I suggest that you replace them with the correct type; which will involve connecting them on the inside.

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Originally Posted by mendan

I have three outside spigots I want to replace. How do I tell if they are screwed on or soldered (sp) on? With it flush to the brick I can't see and I don't want to twist it off. The pipe is copper so I'm guessing soldered. It is not a no freeze spigot. How do I replace them with a screw on type so I can easily replace them in the future? Do I need a plumber for this?

Thanks!:)

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They may be screwed onto a male or female adapter soldered onto copper, or they may be connected to a drop ear 90 with a nipple.

It's hard to say which scenario applies.

In any case, unscrewing them could be a disaster if the male pipe ends are too far inside the wall to re-dope the threads -- Or worse yet, you might break a soldered joint inside the wall or twist and break the pipe if you twist too hard on them.

Unless you are prepared for the possibility of having to open up walls inside the house if something goes wrong, I would suggest simply rebuilding what you already have.

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Originally Posted by iamgrowler

snip....
In any case, unscrewing them could be a disaster if the male pipe ends are too far inside the wall to re-dope the threads -- Or worse yet, you might break a soldered joint inside the wall or twist and break the pipe if you twist too hard on them.

Unless you are prepared for the possibility of having to open up walls inside the house if something goes wrong, I would suggest simply rebuilding what you already have.

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I agree with RickJ on how it should have been done. Don't count on it. Imgrowler makes a couple of good -points too. I have 2 frost proof faucets on my house, both copper pipe. I think they both had threaded ends, but the one is soldered in place. After my one dog ran into the handle and broke the stem, I managed to splice it. It has worked fine for about 15 years that way.

Unless the seat is shot, or the outside damaged, look into repairing it. My local Ace hardware has a great selection of faucet parts. They didn't have the new stem to fit replace my broken one. I have learned enough since then, that builders don't buy their supplies at the hardware store. If your hardware store doesn't have the parts you need, try a plumbing supply. They may not be DIY friendly, but often they have what you need.