A leaky outdoor faucet wastes water and can freeze and crack your pipes in winter. Most leaks come down to a worn rubber washer or a failed vacuum breaker — both are inexpensive fixes you can do in under 30 minutes.
Turn off the indoor shutoff valve. Go outside and open the faucet fully to release remaining water pressure.
Remove the handle screw and pull the handle off. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and remove the packing nut counterclockwise. Pull the entire stem assembly straight out.
Inspect the rubber washer at the end of the stem. If cracked, flattened, or worn, pop it off and replace it with a matching size from your repair kit.
Apply silicone grease to the stem threads. Wrap with plumber's tape. Reinsert the stem, tighten the packing nut snugly, and reattach the handle. Turn the water back on and check for leaks.
If water leaks from the top of the faucet body, unscrew the vacuum breaker cap counterclockwise and replace it with a matching Watts vacuum breaker.
If the faucet body itself is cracked or the indoor shutoff valve won't fully close, call a plumber.
In winter, shut off the outdoor faucet from inside and drain it completely. A frozen faucet will crack the body.