My frostproof silcock is gurgling when turned on, and water seems to be lower in pressure. This is only happenning in one of 3 silcocks around the house. I've looked there are no leaks anywhere, but every time it is turned on it starts tu gurgle on the top of the valve

Chances are that the hose bib has ruptured and leaking inside the wall. You should repair it.That water is going somewhere.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Chances are that the hose bib has ruptured and leaking inside the wall. You should repair it.That water is going somewhere.

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American valve sent me a whole new valve a couple weeks ago because it started leaking from the hole in the stem, but the guy said just replace the stem. When removing the old stem I noticed the washer and screw were nowhere to be found. I turned the water on while the stem was out to see if I could flush it out, but do you think it is possible that they are stuck in the valve and that is what is causing the problem. The wall is bone dry, and I lifted the siding up, and it is dry as well. I will switch it out in the morning with the valve they sent, and check the old one for any cracks.

Now you make me question what you mean by "gurgling". Is this frost free hose bib the type that allows water to automatically drain out of the faucet when you shut it off. I know this type exist but am not familiar with them.. I don't see how the old washer and screw could be stuck in the body and you get the new stem in. I'd cut out the old faucet and replace it and then cut the old one apart to see what is going on.


By gurgling do you mean that water is coming out of the antisyphon valve on top?

This is the exact one I have.

Shop AMERICAN VALVE 6" Brass Frost-Proof Sillcock Valve at Lowes.com

If you look at the spec of that valve it says "Waste No". Therefore I don't think it automatically drains when shut off. Just looks like an ordinary frost proof to me.

Could you tell me what you mean by leaking from the hole in the stem. The stem should be solid brass rod.

The stem has a hole behind the handle, every time I turned it on water sprayed out of it, so American valve sent me a replacement, and said to just replace the stem and keep the valve for spare parts.

They must have used some kind of tube rather than a solid rod for a stem. A tube with a washer screwed on one end and the handle on the other. That might explain how you get the leak and the missing washer and screw. Look inside with a flashlight to see if you can see the washer. When you flushed the valve did you get a good flow? Maybe the old washer is stuck up in there. That would cause a lot of turblance in the water and would reduce flow.

Not a to good of a flow was coming out

Should have gotten the full flow of a 1/2" pipe. Almost willing to bet the washer is stuck in there. If they used a tube for a stem and the screw holding the washer in place came out, you would get water out the hole behind the handle
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Bet they used a tube.

Since I have the other valve I think I am going to just replace it in the morning, and I will check the old one to see if it is wedged in it. Thanks for your help, I will post back after I get it out and update the outcome.

Would appreciate knowing

I am going to replace it with the one they sent in the morning. Thanks for your help. I will update if it was stuck in the old one after I get it out. Thanks again.

Update...

Well I changed the valve out this morning, and when I pulled it out I didn't notice anything inside. Then I looked down and the washer and the screw were on the ground. It must have fell out when I pulled it out, because there was nothing on the ground before I started today, and no cracks that I can see in the old valve. I put the new valve in and it works great.

Thanks for the update. Glad you got if repaired.