Your outdoor faucet takes a beating from Florida’s intense sun, salt air, and year-round use. From garden hoses and pressure washers to boat washdowns and pool maintenance, exterior hose bibs get far more use in Brevard County than in most parts of the country. Knowing how to maintain your outdoor faucets and when to call for professional outdoor faucet repair in Florida can prevent water waste, property damage, and costly emergency plumbing calls. Inlet Mechanical’s licensed plumbers help homeowners in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, and throughout Brevard County keep their outdoor plumbing in top condition.
Common Outdoor Faucet Problems in Florida
Florida’s climate and water conditions create specific challenges for outdoor faucets that homeowners should watch for:
Dripping or leaking when turned off: A faucet that drips from the spout when fully closed usually has a worn-out washer or damaged valve seat. In Florida, hard water accelerates this wear. A constantly dripping hose bib can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year according to the EPA, and it creates a constantly wet area that attracts mosquitoes and promotes mold growth on your home’s exterior.
Leaking from the handle or stem: If water seeps from around the handle when the faucet is turned on, the packing nut or stem washer needs attention. This type of leak worsens over time and can allow water to enter the wall cavity behind the faucet, causing hidden damage to sheathing, insulation, and framing.
Low water pressure: Mineral deposits from Florida’s hard water can build up inside the faucet body, restricting flow. You might also have a partially closed shutoff valve, a kinked supply line, or a failing backflow preventer reducing pressure.
Corrosion and deterioration: Coastal Brevard County homes deal with salt air that corrodes metal faucet components. Brass and stainless steel components resist corrosion better than standard chrome-plated fixtures, but even they degrade over 10 to 15 years of Florida exposure.
Anti-siphon valve failure: Florida plumbing code requires anti-siphon protection on outdoor faucets to prevent garden chemicals, fertilizers, and bacteria from being siphoned back into the drinking water supply. The anti-siphon valve sits on top of the faucet body and can crack, stick, or fail. When it fails, you may notice water spraying from the top of the faucet when turned on, or the valve may not seal properly.
Seasonal Maintenance for Florida Outdoor Faucets
Unlike northern states where winterizing is the primary concern, Florida outdoor faucets need year-round attention due to constant use and harsh conditions:
Monthly inspection: Check each outdoor faucet for drips, leaks around the stem, and proper shutoff. Turn the faucet on fully and check water pressure. Look for green or white mineral deposits around the spout and handle.
Quarterly cleaning: Remove the aerator or hose adapter and soak it in white vinegar for 30 minutes to dissolve mineral buildup. Wipe down the faucet body with a mild cleaner to remove salt deposits, especially if you live near the coast in Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, or Satellite Beach.
Annual professional inspection: Have a licensed plumber inspect the anti-siphon valve, check the backflow preventer, test the shutoff valve inside the house, and evaluate the overall condition of each outdoor faucet. This is especially important for homes over 15 years old where original faucets may be nearing the end of their service life.
Before and after hurricane season: Inspect outdoor faucets for damage from debris, verify the anti-siphon valve is functioning, and make sure shutoff valves inside the home are accessible and operational in case you need to turn off water quickly.
For professional outdoor faucet maintenance and repair, Inlet Mechanical serves homeowners in Cocoa, FL and all of Brevard County with licensed plumbing services.
When to Repair vs Replace an Outdoor Faucet
Not every outdoor faucet problem requires a full replacement. Here is how to decide:
Repair when:
- The faucet is less than 10 years old and has a simple washer or packing nut issue
- The body is in good condition with no visible corrosion or cracks
- The leak is at the handle or spout and responds to a washer replacement
- Parts are readily available for your faucet model
Replace when:
- The faucet body shows significant corrosion, pitting, or cracks
- The anti-siphon valve has failed and a replacement valve is not available
- The faucet is the original fixture in a home over 20 years old
- You have had multiple repairs on the same faucet within two years
- The faucet does not have anti-siphon protection and needs to be brought up to code
A standard outdoor faucet replacement in Brevard County typically costs $150 to $350 for parts and labor. Upgrading to a quarter-turn ceramic disc faucet adds durability and eliminates the rubber washers that wear out in Florida’s hard water. Use our plumbing cost estimator to get a preliminary idea of repair and replacement costs for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do outdoor faucets in Florida need freeze protection?
Brevard County does experience occasional freezes, typically a few nights per year when temperatures dip below 32 degrees. While our freezes are brief compared to northern states, they can still burst exposed pipes and outdoor faucets. On freeze nights, disconnect garden hoses, close the interior shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet if possible, and open the outdoor faucet to let any remaining water drain. Frost-free hose bibs, which have a long stem that shuts off water inside the heated wall, provide the best protection for Florida homes.
Why is water spraying from the top of my outdoor faucet?
That spray is almost certainly coming from a failed anti-siphon valve (also called a vacuum breaker). This small device sits on top of the faucet and prevents contaminated water from flowing backward into your home’s drinking water supply. When the internal spring or rubber disc fails, water sprays upward instead of flowing only through the spout. A licensed plumber (License CFC1433105) can replace the anti-siphon valve or, if the faucet is old, recommend replacing the entire unit with a modern anti-siphon hose bib.
Can I replace an outdoor faucet myself?
While some homeowners with plumbing experience can handle a straightforward faucet swap, there are important considerations in Florida. The replacement must include anti-siphon protection as required by Florida plumbing code. The connection inside the wall must be properly soldered or fitted to prevent leaks in a concealed location. If your home has CPVC supply lines, which are common in Florida construction, the connection method matters because overtightening can crack CPVC fittings. For these reasons, most homeowners are better served by hiring a licensed plumber who can ensure the work meets code and will not cause hidden water damage.
Proper maintenance and timely outdoor faucet repair protect your Florida home from water waste, property damage, and code violations. Inlet Mechanical’s licensed plumbers provide expert outdoor plumbing services throughout Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, and all of Brevard County. Call (321) 723-0858 or contact us online to schedule an inspection or repair for your outdoor faucets today.
Written & Reviewed By
Inlet Mechanical Team
The Inlet Mechanical team brings over 85 years of combined experience in HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical construction across Florida. Our licensed professionals hold Florida Mechanical HVAC License (CMC1250858) and Florida Plumbing License (CFC1433105), along with EPA Section 608 certifications. Based in Brevard County, we serve residential, commercial, and industrial clients with expert knowledge of Florida building codes, climate-specific HVAC solutions, and local plumbing requirements. Every article is reviewed by our licensed technicians to ensure accuracy and practical value for Melbourne-area homeowners and businesses.
Last Updated: February 19, 2026