Leaking Freeze Proof Faucet--Handle Won't Come Off

Hi:

I have a leaking freeze proof faucet outside. I took the screw out of the handle but the handle did not come off. So I bought a handle puller and it won't work because the small rod that goes into the middle of the handle goes in all the way. I took a file to insert it and it goes in about 2 ½ maybe 3 inches. Should I find something to put inside the handle hole and try the puller again. The handle should come off, right. I don’t want to force it if there is something I am missing.

Thanks for any ideas. Kent

What brand is it? Try loosening the large nut behind the handle you may be able to remove the stem without taking the handle off. Is a quarter turn faucet or normal?
If it is a quarter turn then, you need to replace the whole thing, sorry.

Thanks for the help Cookie. It is a Mansfield brand. I don't think I have access to a nut behind the handle. My faucet does not have the extra "knob" that I have seen on other freeze proof faucets. It also keeps turning like a normal faucet. Thanks again.

Since it is leaking in my experience repairing them only lasts a very short time, (I missed the part where you said it was leaking, not paying attn, sorry...) because the water has most likely cut a groove in the seat. I would replace the entire hosebib.
And you are welcome I hope this helped in some way, if not we got loads of plumbers here. I do appraisals, and recently, home inspections. I am still learning.

OK thanks Cookie. I was hoping it was just a rubber washer that would be easily replaced.

I might be wrong, but I doubt it, not that I am not ever wrong, ( just not that much, lol. ) but, if I am I am sure... someone will correct me, LOL.

The 'guts' of a frost proof hose bib is way deep in the fixture. Not sure if this helps at all. Where and when is it leaking? If it has been in regular use, then the seals or the seat may be shot. If it hadn't been used since last winter and a hose was left on during a freeze, it could be split and then there's nothing you can do to fix it except replace it.

Thanks Jim. I was just taking the summer hoses off getting ready for a freeze we will be having in a couple days. That is when I noticed the leak coming out of the faucet where the hose is attached. It leaks continuously. Hoses were not left on in the winter. From what I have seen in pictures online yes the valve and rubber washer are deep inside and you have to get the stem out first. But I can't even get the handle off to take a look at it. I tried WD40 and then I tried inserting a piece of metal in there hoping it would stop at some point and I could then use the handle puller but the metal just kept going in so the puller won't work. The handle should be able to come off, right? Are there any types of faucets where the handle would not come off and it would all be one piece. If the handle should come off, I can keep trying and maybe I will get lucky. Thanks again for the assistance.

You really shouldn't need to take the handle off. You need to pull the stem out. The only way to do that is to remove the nut that holds it to the body of the fixture.

I don't see a nut though. Mine looks similar to this but the handle is a little different. [h=1]Prier Products 378-14 Frost-proof Wall Hydrant[/h]