Most spigot replacements are a same-day job: shut the line down at the interior valve, cut out the failed unit, install a code-compliant hose bibb with a built-in vacuum breaker and a soldered or PEX transition, pressure-test, and re-seal the wall penetration. You get a written quote before we cut anything.
When replacement beats repair
Once a hose bibb starts leaking from the stem, repair kits are a short-term patch at best. Between the mineral scale our hard SoCal water leaves behind and a seat that's already pitted, the washer wears out again within a season. On older models the galvanized riser inside the wall is usually corroded too. A clean replacement with a quarter-turn ball-valve sillcock and a vacuum breaker eliminates the drip and lasts 20+ years.
What's included in the job
We shut down the branch, cut the failed spigot out, install a code-compliant frost-free hose bibb with a built-in vacuum breaker (required for backflow protection in CA), transition to copper or PEX inside the wall, pressure-test the joint, and re-caulk the exterior penetration with a polyurethane sealant rated for masonry and siding.
Common discoveries on older homes
On homes built before 1980 we frequently find galvanized riser pipe behind the spigot — corroded, narrowed, and ready to fail. If we see it, we'll show it to you and quote the additional section of pipe to PEX or copper so you don't pay us twice for the same wall opening.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
Will replacing the spigot require opening the wall?
On most installs, no — we work from the exterior penetration and the nearest interior shut-off. If the existing riser pipe is corroded galvanized or the shut-off is seized, we may need a small access cut, which we discuss and quote before cutting.
What kind of hose bibb do you install?
Our default is a quarter-turn ball-valve sillcock with a built-in vacuum breaker for backflow protection, which is required by code in CA. It shuts off cleanly with a single turn and holds up far better against the mineral scale our hard water leaves on old compression spigots.
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Yes. Nava's Elite Plumbing carries a current California master plumber registration, $1M general liability coverage, and workers' comp on every technician. A certificate of insurance naming you or your property manager is available on request before we start.
Do you give upfront pricing?
Every job is quoted in writing before any work begins. We price by scope, not by the hour, so the number you approve is the number you pay — barring scope changes you approve in writing.
Do you require money down?
No deposit on standard service calls. On larger projects (repipes, sewer replacements, gas line installs) we phase work into progress payments tied to city inspection milestones — you never pay ahead of completed work.