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Sillcock mystery leak

hfhcarp10 | Posted in General Discussion on August 16, 2006 03:49am

Please help – trying to save Habitat homeowner $ on plumbing repair.

Sillcock leaks back into house when water is turned on.  When shut off, no leaks.  Water flows from sillcock as expected from exterior, then begins to trickle back into house i.e. leaks when valve is open.  Sillcock is anti-syphon, 4 yrs old.

 I’m prepared to replace sillcock but wanted to save them money if anyone has any ideas of what might be causing it to leak.

thanks, Carl

 


Edited 8/15/2006 8:54 pm ET by hfhcarp10

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  1. USAnigel | Aug 16, 2006 04:04am | #1

    If this is one of the frost proof types it cound have been left with the hose on and froze. this will split the pipe between the valve and hose conection and you will get the problem you now have. Replace the whole thing.

    1. JHOLE | Aug 16, 2006 04:08am | #2

      Completely agree.

      REplace sillcock.

       Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Aug 16, 2006 04:13am | #3

    Frost free sillcock?  If so, there is probably a cracked solder joint where the copper barrel is sweated to the brass seat housing.  The stem is a long thing with a disk on the end that sits in the valve seat within the 'conditioned' space of the house.  The solder joint occassionally cracks (see them do this when people leave the hose connected and the trapped water freezes,) causing leakage inside when turned on.  Isolate water, drain the line, and remove the valve stem and try to sweat the connection.  I've never tried it, but it's worth a shot, because your other choice is to replace it.  Not a tough task: cut out the old, unscrew the stub that's left, screw it on a new sillcock (of same length, there are multiple lengths available) and couple the line.

    Good luck.

     

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

  3. User avater
    RRooster | Aug 16, 2006 04:32am | #4

    Had this same problem and had to tear out  the wall to access the split pipe to solder the leak.  Good luck with it and have fun.  To save them money, don't charge them.

     

    http://grungefm.com

     

    1. hfhcarp10 | Aug 16, 2006 04:39am | #5

      thanks all - will gather plumbing tools and install a new one Thursday.  On this job, homeowner will only be charged for parts.

       

      regards, Carl

  4. DanH | Aug 16, 2006 06:10am | #6

    Yep, the "frost-proof" sillcock froze and burst open. It needs to be replaced.

    In the future be sure to disconnect hoses and adapters from the sillcock before freezing weather sets in.

    If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
    1. User avater
      RRooster | Nov 02, 2006 11:05pm | #7

      Could somebody adress a post to me in this thread so I can make it go away from my notifications???

       

      Thank you!! 

      http://grungefm.com

       

      1. DanH | Nov 02, 2006 11:15pm | #8

        Absolutely not!

        Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle. --Mahatma Gandhi

        1. User avater
          RRooster | Nov 02, 2006 11:21pm | #9

          I hope that does it.  Thanks.  I'll be checking. 

          http://grungefm.com

           

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