Amol wrote:
On Apr 10, 10:34 am, Grandpa wrote:
[...]
Sounds like a frostfree sillcock, just put those in on my son's
house. Google it and see if it looks like yours. Trader4 is most
likely right that they just screw on. In fact, there are several
"repair your sillcock" sites that give you step by step
instructions. They come in various lengths; depending on brand, they
may not be repairable, so consider replacing it. Hardest part is
going to be holding the pipe its attached to so that it doesn't
twist into a spiral and fracture.

Let me restate my problem and add some solid facts. It is a NIBCO
sillcock (frost proof) and yes I cracked the plastic handle by
overtightening it. I replaced the plastic knob but the problem is not
that it leaks when shut off but it spews water when it is in operation
from around the plastic handle and spigot as it does from the actual
hose.. It does NOT leak when it is shut off.

Sorry for not clarifying this earlier. Any different diagnosis?

Yes, replace it. Finding NIBCO repair parts is a real pain.
Since I feel you're going to have to replace it anyway, there's no
harm is trying to fix it albeit even temporarily. There should be a
packing nut that more or less holds the stem in place. You *should*
(but remember its a NIBCO) be able to unscrew that and see what kind
of packing washer or packing thread was used to seal the nut. Then
with the packing nut off, you can unscrew the stem and check the
condition of the stem washer that hides inside the valve. Since its
a frostfree and nobody I know has fingers thin and long enough to
feel the seat, just see if the stem washer face is smooth and firm.
You should be able to at least find a stem washer and a packing
washer or packing thread to seal up the packing nut at a hardware
store's plumbing section. That should seal up the leak around the
stem. But remember, I did suggest replacing it first.

As for the spewing water at the spigot, do you have a washer in the
hose?
--
Grandpa