My exterior faucet is leaking around the handle. The house is less than 20 years old but it is an often used faucet. I've tried tightening the packing nut but I can't get it any tighter. Is there a way to fix this or do I just need to get a new faucet?

You can replace the packing for a lot less than than a new valve would cost.

I assume its leaking around the stem and not the spout.

Hi Gemini...

Like Smoothy suggested, you want to purchase some GRAPHITE PACKING rope (see image) at a local home improvement store and repack the stem under the packing nut.

Loosen/remove the packing nut and pull out the old packing material and then wrap 3-4 wraps of the rope around the stem. Install the packing nut, tighten down and see how you make out. If needed, add additional wraps. That should get you up and running trouble free for awhile.

Mark

Thanks for the info! I'll try it out!