Fixed my dripping outdoor spigot with a $5 washer and it took 15 minutes

Had a hose bib in my backyard that dripped nonstop for months. Drove me crazy every time I walked past it. Took it apart last Saturday and found the rubber washer was basically disintegrated, probably from the hard water here in Phoenix. Replaced it with a new one from Ace Hardware and tightened the packing nut a quarter turn. No more drip. Has anyone else dealt with washers that seem to wear out way faster than they should?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor.jessica18d ago

Yeah that's actually the packing nut not the washer's fault usually.

river18218d ago

Nah, I've swapped three of these washers and the packing nut was fine every time.

wrenstone18d agoMost Upvoted

My 1988 Delta had the exact same issue. I replaced three packing nuts on that old thing before I realized the washer was just worn unevenly. So @river182, I feel your pain on that one. It's easy to blame the washer when the nut does look fine from the outside.