My Laundry Hookup Has a Leaking Faucet

Causes

• Leaking washing machine faucets are most often caused when the valve-packing nut becomes loose. This nut sits directly under the faucet and is the mechanism that keeps water from flowing out of the valve. Occasionally, the packing material or the valve itself may wear out.

Solutions

• The simplest solution is to tighten the valve-packing nut by turning it clockwise with a wrench. Turn it just until the leak stops, though. If you turn it too tightly you can snap the nut. If the leak doesn't stop after tightening the nut, or if the leak returns, you probably need to replace the packing material. Take the faucet apart and remove the packing material. Clean out the inside of the faucet with a cotton swab. Install the new packing material and reassemble the faucet.

Considerations

• Once a faucet starts leaking, there's a good chance it will leak again, even after you've tightened the nut. A minor inconvenience can quickly turn into a major disaster if you're away from home. Always turn off the water faucets to your washing machine when you leave home for even a few days, even if the faucet hasn't leaked in the past. Faulty hoses can also cause major water damage and should be inspected and replaced every five years.

Prevention

• The simplest long-term solution to the problem of leaky faucets is to replace traditional valves with ball valves. A ball and socket design prevents the wear that leads to leaks, although the packing material may still need occasional replacement. Replacing the valve will require soldering but is a simple task if you're handy.