You're exactly right. I've had 2 of these valves fail at the inner gear location in the last 3 years. Very poor design. I'm going to try and find a brass one also. Thanks for sharing this great info!
Mine is an American valve brand. 10 years old. Had to push it in to turn it off. I figured it must be the threads. It was very hard to turn on then it would be wide open. Great info. Thank you!
You are exactly right. We bought the same model and within days it will not allow water to flow when you turn the faucet on. Sometimes if you wait for several minutes then eventually you’ll get water flow, but on my last attempt I mowed the lawn and each time I went past it I checked in on it and water never did flow.
Thanks... I initially thought I only needed the packing seal to fix a leaking unit. But I noticed that I had to actually push in hard as I turned the knob to get the valve to shut the water off. The other day it now won't shut off and stay off. It just pops back outwards and runs full strength. I manage to push it in to shut off the flow and install an attachment with a shutoff on it to stop it until I can get a replacement. Seeing this video showed me what the actual problem is. I haven't seen other videos cover it quite this way. Thanks...
This was my third attempt at a frost proof sill cock in that location. I didn't look at the first one so I'm not sure why it failed but this one was obvious and none of them should be made of aluminum, that's why they don't last. I found a brass one at Lowes, all of the ones at Home Depot were aluminum and I was not going back with that since I know it won't hold up. You may have to order one online but make sure it's brass inside the valve and it should last a long time.
The ones with brass guts don't. It's been a couple of years since I replaced the this one and the one with brass guts is holding up just fine. The one in the front of my house is a quarter master and it has brass guts as well, it's 9 years old and holding up just fine. I wish I had repaired the other quarter master but I didn't really know what I was doing at that time.
I've been through 3 in less than 4 years and my problem isn't leaks...... It's that I can't get water when I turn it on..... Usually they work for a couple of months and then just don't
The brand that is holding up so well is apparently the same brand that I had originally but I didn't know it. It's a Mueller quartermaster quarter turn frost proof sillcock. The don't put the model numbers on the darn things but it's a 12" one with ASSE 1019-A and 2890 cast into the housing below that. I've tried to track down the exact model but it seems that they are all very similar on the inside. Anyway been about 5 years or so now with no trouble. The one I have in front of the house is 12 years old and never had a problem with it.
Excellent video. I have experienced the same thing. I have replaced these valves numerous times. They all typically fail after a few years and for different reasons. I had that exact same valve and the aluminum stripped out. I have yet to find a quality part as a suitable replacement. So far I have tried three different manufacturers. Garbage
The quartermaster valves are high quality, but I am unable to find them any more, maybe they went out of business? I did, however, find one with brass guts and it was my replacement for this one shown in the video, it's still holding up just fine. But it is made in china, like many things here these days, so it drips a bit when it is turned on. But I can live with that as at least it works like it should and with it being brass inside it will endure the high mineral content of the water around here. Thanks for your comment Robert!
It was pretty aggravating for me as well. I'm glad I could help. As an addendum to my original video the replacement unit I found with brass internals developed a leak where the stem came out of the tube. The leak could not be stopped as the gasket there was a bad design and no matter what I did I could not get it to stop leaking. It only leaked when the water was turned on but it was still unacceptable. I researched this again and found a made in Taiwan, quarter turn, like the old quarter master type, with ceramic internals. I have installed this one, it's been a few months hopefully it will be a good one, we shall see. The one in front of my house is an original quarter master and it's 11 years old, with no problems. The new one in the rear is now about 6 months old and seems to be working fine. If I have another failure I'll update this video, hopefully that won't happen. I'm glad I could help! There is just so much cheap junk on the market these days it's really hard to find a quality replacement item for anything when the time comes to do so.
The exact same thing happened to my faucet on my shop. These frist free faucets with anti siphon valves are not cheap to purchase but most are cheaply made and is going to be a pain in the butt to fix. I now have to remove my wainscotting to access the access door in my wall!
Same problem on my sister's place, except it started as a bad washer, but when it wouldn't shut off, they kept cranking on the handle, which finally stripped the threads. Unfortunately, can't get replacement parts for this one, so having to replace the whole unit. While we're griping about poor designs, why is the crawl space access always about ten miles from where all the plumbing is? lol. Thanks for the video.
Threads on our unit (American Valve) stripped out as well. No corrosion on the threaded shaft at all but the threads were shot! Very poorly made. Makes me proud to be an American ! Why is it we put out JUNK anymore?!
I buy these with copper inner components but other parts of it still fail and need to be replaced on a regular basis. But you’re right they do last longer and they are not cheap.
I didn't realize what I was doing when I replaced the quartermaster sillcock with this aluminum piece of garbage. If I had known I would have tried to fix the quartermaster sillcock. But I did find out that quality had gone out the window during the 5 years of use I got from that quartermaster unit. Once I found out what was going on I felt compelled to make this video to try to help others to keep from wasting their time and money.
Excellent review of these cheaply made but expensive valves. I am going through the same situation with my son in law’s home. May have to cut into their basement’s ceiling in order to replace the unit. Not an easy fix . His just spins also and is so frustrating . To live in this wonderland era of conveniences and have to deal with this sloppy engineering , Thomas Edison where are you ?
i had one where the tube cracked, i took it apart and jb welded the crack and put it back together.. works fine..jb weld and duct tape--the handyman's savior..
Yep, as I suspected. The threads must be gone on mine. I put a rubberband around the on/off valve and the anti syphon cap. Stopped the leak. Wont last forever. But works for now. Just have to take the rubber band off to use the hose and it leaks a lot until the band is back on it. I venture to say great design but worst materials to make it out of. I'm betting there are no threads left for sure.
Ok well just wanted to update this a little. The one with the brass threads did not fail but there was a seal at the collar where the stem goes into the valve that failed and it was made in such a way that the seal can not be replaced!! UGGGHHHH!!! I get so tired of companies not making decent stuff anymore! Anyway I dug around on Amazon and found a ceramic cartridge one that is quarter turn on and off like the old quartermaster was, I think it was an off brand, but it has been a year now and no leaks, no adjustments needed, yet. Updates coming as needed. It's crazy that every couple of years anyone should have to mess around with changing these things out. Some houses are built in such a way that getting to the valve is almost impossible!
I just tried to look up the last one I bought and was unable to find my receipt. But I did get the name off of the unit itself, it's a Muller brand made in Taiwan. I would have preferred made in the USA but that seems to be an impossible task these days. Anyway I'm going into two years with this one and no issues what so ever. Strange thing is I have an original quarter master in front of my house, it's 10 years old and still works great! I guess to some extent it's a gamble about how long they will last and how good they will be regardless of brand. Of course they can't have aluminum guts, that's a big no no.
have you tried the Woodford brand. They might be american made, but if nothing else they sell 5 or 6 different types, most go all the way up to 24"wall thickness. Also they sell repair parts for their faucets, including ones they don't make any more.
2022 update. The ceramic 1/4 turn one that I put in is still working just fine. There are some decent ones around they are just hard to find and apparently not found at home depot or lowes anymore.
Thank you for video, game me the knowledge to change out just the guts ( which I happen to have on hand, but the screw holding them in is aluminum and is not budging, but instead just warping under my wrench. Any suggestions to get that off?
You can try heat like a propane torch but usually when aluminum threads seize they are done. Another option is to drill and tap but cutting new threads over old ones doesn't always work either. If you do get it out use anti seize compound on the threads and you won't have that problem again.
I'm sorry but don't recall. What I do remember is going to home depot and taking apart everyone that was there only to find that they all had the aluminum guts that failed. So I went to Lowes and looked through theirs. About 75% of what they had were aluminum guts as well. They only had one brand that was brass internals, it was made in China, which I didn't really like, and the brass material was much thinner than I was looking for. However that was the only brass guts frost proof sill cock I could find so I bought it. I have had no trouble with that one despite it's lack of meat on the threads. There may be one online that is better but you can't examine the internal parts to determine if they are the appropriate material. Sorry but that is all I remember about solving this problem.
It should work as long as it is the same. Try it and let us know how it turns out. Worst thing that can happen is you'll be right back where you are and have to replace that unit.
@@stevegordon5243 good that you had a stem, I was unable to find one. Glad it worked for you even if it was only for a little while. Can you tell us where you found a stem?
I went to Lowe’s and bought a whole new valve just like the old one and then swapped the stem out. I didn’t want to change the whole valve if I didn’t have to because it was such a bear to get through the hole in the house
www.amazon.com/dp/B08DHDDHYL I ordered this today. My current stem looks just like yours did. The handle just turns and turns. Had no idea corrosion stripped the threads like that. Looks like I should order a couple more as my current unit is only 2 years old.
It doesn't need to be sloped. That is irrelevant to the aluminum corrosion isse shown in the presentation. If the unit is level it drains just fine, as designed.
The stem normally screws out, but in this case the threads had corroded away and there was very little left. So when the threads are gone yes it just pulls out, but that is not normal at all.
I might have similar problem. I live in north and my house is 3 year old and this spring my outdoor sillcock failed. The knob just keeps turning and no water comes out. Did you have similar failure? My water pipes are through the basement celing and I dont see any water marks, So I think the failure is due to corrosion and threads wearing out. It is actually of these kind. www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/valves/hose-bibbs-wall-faucets-wall-hydrants/1-2-x-1-2-mpt-x-female-sweat-freezeless-anti-siphon-sillcock/p-1444429468741.htm?cm_vc=PDPZ1
Yes this one was just spinning and the water would not shut off completely unless I pressed it in with my hand. As soon as I let go it would start leaking again. It was less than two years old and I'm amazed that it got eaten up so fast. Aluminum doesn't last long in a wet mineral filled environment. The new one I got is brass, it's thin but it should still be more durable than the aluminum one was. If the brass one fails I'll update this video on the time and cause of failure.
check if there is a small tap inline with the pipe about 40-50 cm behind the problem faucet inside in the basement ceiling. that shuts off the whole tap. can you see any access point in the ceiling just behind that faucet if it is drywalled?
I got to thinking. Humans have been making sill cocks and valves for how long now? Decades if not at least a century? And this is the shit they sell us? Shit that wears out in a year! It's time we all put our foot down, or up these companies asses, for producing shit products. I could literally make a better product that will last longer out of fucking wood! It's not just these sill cocks, it's every single thing is made to fail so you have to buy another one. It's the light bulb all over again with everything! I'm sick of junk being sold to me. Who is with me?
That's what I would have expected, either the end was broken off or the rubber washer had let go and was stuck in the seat. Anyway you should get more life out of one made of brass, mine is still working. Wish I had known how good the quality of the quartermaster brand was, I would have fixed the old one. But unless you happen to look inside you can't tell what you have by the outward appearance.
If it fractured then it either had a defect or the anti-siphon valve failed. The quarter turn one that I have not with ceramic guts is going on 2 years. The one in front of my house, a real quartermaster brand, is going on 11years.
these are crap just pure crap lived in this house 30 yrs with no leaks. had new frost free sillcock put in guess what, it split first winter. if it isnt broken dont fix it
The last one I got that was made like the old quartermaster is still working fine 2 plus years later. There are some decent ones available but not at a bog box store.
You're exactly right. I've had 2 of these valves fail at the inner gear location in the last 3 years. Very poor design. I'm going to try and find a brass one also. Thanks for sharing this great info!
Mine is an American valve brand. 10 years old. Had to push it in to turn it off. I figured it must be the threads. It was very hard to turn on then it would be wide open. Great info. Thank you!
You are exactly right. We bought the same model and within days it will not allow water to flow when you turn the faucet on. Sometimes if you wait for several minutes then eventually you’ll get water flow, but on my last attempt I mowed the lawn and each time I went past it I checked in on it and water never did flow.
You my friend are a home owners HERO. Saved me hours dealing with a defective piece of junk.
Thank you for your kind words sir. I'm very glad that I was able to be of assistance.
I've had three of the AV valves fail in 1-3 years at the inner gear location. This video is right on.
Thanks... I initially thought I only needed the packing seal to fix a leaking unit. But I noticed that I had to actually push in hard as I turned the knob to get the valve to shut the water off. The other day it now won't shut off and stay off. It just pops back outwards and runs full strength. I manage to push it in to shut off the flow and install an attachment with a shutoff on it to stop it until I can get a replacement.
Seeing this video showed me what the actual problem is. I haven't seen other videos cover it quite this way.
Thanks...
You're quite welcome
Thanks for this. Exact same issue with exactly the same issues. Corrosion and worn threads. Only about 2 years in...
Super video, Paul. It was very interesting and helpful. Thank you for your time in making the video and posting it!
You're quite welcome. Glad I could be of help!
Great description of what is going on here. Thank you.
You're quite welcome.
Thank you. I am beyond frustrated with every sillcock I have ever installed. They all fail within a year or two.
This was my third attempt at a frost proof sill cock in that location. I didn't look at the first one so I'm not sure why it failed but this one was obvious and none of them should be made of aluminum, that's why they don't last. I found a brass one at Lowes, all of the ones at Home Depot were aluminum and I was not going back with that since I know it won't hold up. You may have to order one online but make sure it's brass inside the valve and it should last a long time.
The ones with brass guts don't. It's been a couple of years since I replaced the this one and the one with brass guts is holding up just fine. The one in the front of my house is a quarter master and it has brass guts as well, it's 9 years old and holding up just fine. I wish I had repaired the other quarter master but I didn't really know what I was doing at that time.
I've been through 3 in less than 4 years and my problem isn't leaks...... It's that I can't get water when I turn it on..... Usually they work for a couple of months and then just don't
The brand that is holding up so well is apparently the same brand that I had originally but I didn't know it. It's a Mueller quartermaster quarter turn frost proof sillcock. The don't put the model numbers on the darn things but it's a 12" one with ASSE 1019-A and 2890 cast into the housing below that. I've tried to track down the exact model but it seems that they are all very similar on the inside. Anyway been about 5 years or so now with no trouble. The one I have in front of the house is 12 years old and never had a problem with it.
Excellent video. I have experienced the same thing. I have replaced these valves numerous times. They all typically fail after a few years and for different reasons. I had that exact same valve and the aluminum stripped out. I have yet to find a quality part as a suitable replacement. So far I have tried three different manufacturers. Garbage
The quartermaster valves are high quality, but I am unable to find them any more, maybe they went out of business? I did, however, find one with brass guts and it was my replacement for this one shown in the video, it's still holding up just fine. But it is made in china, like many things here these days, so it drips a bit when it is turned on. But I can live with that as at least it works like it should and with it being brass inside it will endure the high mineral content of the water around here. Thanks for your comment Robert!
Very Helpful, thanks for explaining and uploading. It was driving me nuts.
It was pretty aggravating for me as well. I'm glad I could help. As an addendum to my original video the replacement unit I found with brass internals developed a leak where the stem came out of the tube. The leak could not be stopped as the gasket there was a bad design and no matter what I did I could not get it to stop leaking. It only leaked when the water was turned on but it was still unacceptable. I researched this again and found a made in Taiwan, quarter turn, like the old quarter master type, with ceramic internals. I have installed this one, it's been a few months hopefully it will be a good one, we shall see. The one in front of my house is an original quarter master and it's 11 years old, with no problems. The new one in the rear is now about 6 months old and seems to be working fine. If I have another failure I'll update this video, hopefully that won't happen. I'm glad I could help! There is just so much cheap junk on the market these days it's really hard to find a quality replacement item for anything when the time comes to do so.
Thanks Paul helped me solve same issue I was having
Totally welcome, glad I could help.
The exact same thing happened to my faucet on my shop. These frist free faucets with anti siphon valves are not cheap to purchase but most are cheaply made and is going to be a pain in the butt to fix. I now have to remove my wainscotting to access the access door in my wall!
I understand, most are not installed in a friendly way.
Same problem on my sister's place, except it started as a bad washer, but when it wouldn't shut off, they kept cranking on the handle, which finally stripped the threads. Unfortunately, can't get replacement parts for this one, so having to replace the whole unit. While we're griping about poor designs, why is the crawl space access always about ten miles from where all the plumbing is? lol. Thanks for the video.
Threads on our unit (American Valve) stripped out as well. No corrosion on the threaded shaft at all but the threads were shot! Very poorly made. Makes me proud to be an American ! Why is it we put out JUNK anymore?!
Thanks.
I got the same faucet.
I buy these with copper inner components but other parts of it still fail and need to be replaced on a regular basis. But you’re right they do last longer and they are not cheap.
I didn't realize what I was doing when I replaced the quartermaster sillcock with this aluminum piece of garbage. If I had known I would have tried to fix the quartermaster sillcock. But I did find out that quality had gone out the window during the 5 years of use I got from that quartermaster unit. Once I found out what was going on I felt compelled to make this video to try to help others to keep from wasting their time and money.
Excellent review of these cheaply made but expensive valves. I am going through the same situation with my son in law’s home. May have to cut into their basement’s ceiling in order to replace the unit. Not an easy fix . His just spins also and is so frustrating . To live in this wonderland era of conveniences and have to deal with this sloppy engineering , Thomas Edison where are you ?
i had one where the tube cracked, i took it apart and jb welded the crack and put it back together.. works fine..jb weld and duct tape--the handyman's savior..
Yep, as I suspected. The threads must be gone on mine. I put a rubberband around the on/off valve and the anti syphon cap. Stopped the leak. Wont last forever. But works for now. Just have to take the rubber band off to use the hose and it leaks a lot until the band is back on it. I venture to say great design but worst materials to make it out of. I'm betting there are no threads left for sure.
Ok well just wanted to update this a little. The one with the brass threads did not fail but there was a seal at the collar where the stem goes into the valve that failed and it was made in such a way that the seal can not be replaced!! UGGGHHHH!!! I get so tired of companies not making decent stuff anymore! Anyway I dug around on Amazon and found a ceramic cartridge one that is quarter turn on and off like the old quartermaster was, I think it was an off brand, but it has been a year now and no leaks, no adjustments needed, yet. Updates coming as needed. It's crazy that every couple of years anyone should have to mess around with changing these things out. Some houses are built in such a way that getting to the valve is almost impossible!
I just tried to look up the last one I bought and was unable to find my receipt. But I did get the name off of the unit itself, it's a Muller brand made in Taiwan. I would have preferred made in the USA but that seems to be an impossible task these days. Anyway I'm going into two years with this one and no issues what so ever. Strange thing is I have an original quarter master in front of my house, it's 10 years old and still works great! I guess to some extent it's a gamble about how long they will last and how good they will be regardless of brand. Of course they can't have aluminum guts, that's a big no no.
have you tried the Woodford brand. They might be american made, but if nothing else they sell 5 or 6 different types, most go all the way up to 24"wall thickness. Also they sell repair parts for their faucets, including ones they don't make any more.
2022 update. The ceramic 1/4 turn one that I put in is still working just fine. There are some decent ones around they are just hard to find and apparently not found at home depot or lowes anymore.
Thank you for video, game me the knowledge to change out just the guts ( which I happen to have on hand, but the screw holding them in is aluminum and is not budging, but instead just warping under my wrench. Any suggestions to get that off?
You can try heat like a propane torch but usually when aluminum threads seize they are done. Another option is to drill and tap but cutting new threads over old ones doesn't always work either. If you do get it out use anti seize compound on the threads and you won't have that problem again.
Thank you, hopefully replacing whole faucet wont be an issue, but I will use that product on new one
What brand was that valve?
Thank you. Informative video!
what brand was it please.
I'm sorry but don't recall. What I do remember is going to home depot and taking apart everyone that was there only to find that they all had the aluminum guts that failed. So I went to Lowes and looked through theirs. About 75% of what they had were aluminum guts as well. They only had one brand that was brass internals, it was made in China, which I didn't really like, and the brass material was much thinner than I was looking for. However that was the only brass guts frost proof sill cock I could find so I bought it. I have had no trouble with that one despite it's lack of meat on the threads. There may be one online that is better but you can't examine the internal parts to determine if they are the appropriate material. Sorry but that is all I remember about solving this problem.
Mine will not come on,water valve turns but no water
Mine too. Let me know what you find out. I took mine apart and pulled out the stem, reinstalled it, and still had the same problem.
It's probably sheared off at the valve seat. You should replace the entire assembly. Find one with brass guts.
That was helpful. Thanks for sharing
Can I just replace the stem ?I have the exact one and has done the same thing,if I just replace the stem will it work
It should work as long as it is the same. Try it and let us know how it turns out. Worst thing that can happen is you'll be right back where you are and have to replace that unit.
@@Sealacamp I did replace the stem in mine which worked fine. However, 2 years later it failed again....arrrgghhh!
@@stevegordon5243 good that you had a stem, I was unable to find one. Glad it worked for you even if it was only for a little while. Can you tell us where you found a stem?
I went to Lowe’s and bought a whole new valve just like the old one and then swapped the stem out. I didn’t want to change the whole valve if I didn’t have to because it was such a bear to get through the hole in the house
www.amazon.com/dp/B08DHDDHYL I ordered this today. My current stem looks just like yours did. The handle just turns and turns. Had no idea corrosion stripped the threads like that. Looks like I should order a couple more as my current unit is only 2 years old.
Oh, man!! You invited us over to watch your repair video and forgot to vacuum your presentation carpet!! I'll bet your wife wasn't happy about that!
butchtheiw She doesn't care
You didn’t slope the unit toward the ground for drainage
It doesn't need to be sloped. That is irrelevant to the aluminum corrosion isse shown in the presentation. If the unit is level it drains just fine, as designed.
Thank you.
You're welcome!
So the stem just pulls out?
The stem normally screws out, but in this case the threads had corroded away and there was very little left. So when the threads are gone yes it just pulls out, but that is not normal at all.
I might have similar problem.
I live in north and my house is 3 year old and this spring my outdoor sillcock failed. The knob just keeps turning and no water comes out. Did you have similar failure?
My water pipes are through the basement celing and I dont see any water marks, So I think the failure is due to corrosion and threads wearing out.
It is actually of these kind.
www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/valves/hose-bibbs-wall-faucets-wall-hydrants/1-2-x-1-2-mpt-x-female-sweat-freezeless-anti-siphon-sillcock/p-1444429468741.htm?cm_vc=PDPZ1
Yes this one was just spinning and the water would not shut off completely unless I pressed it in with my hand. As soon as I let go it would start leaking again. It was less than two years old and I'm amazed that it got eaten up so fast. Aluminum doesn't last long in a wet mineral filled environment. The new one I got is brass, it's thin but it should still be more durable than the aluminum one was. If the brass one fails I'll update this video on the time and cause of failure.
I have the opposite problem, the handle keeps turning and won't shut off, the small threads are worn.
Guy North actually that is the same problem, the threads corrode away preventing any shutoff of the valve.
check if there is a small tap inline with the pipe about 40-50 cm behind the problem faucet inside in the basement ceiling. that shuts off the whole tap. can you see any access point in the ceiling just behind that faucet if it is drywalled?
I got to thinking. Humans have been making sill cocks and valves for how long now? Decades if not at least a century? And this is the shit they sell us? Shit that wears out in a year! It's time we all put our foot down, or up these companies asses, for producing shit products. I could literally make a better product that will last longer out of fucking wood! It's not just these sill cocks, it's every single thing is made to fail so you have to buy another one. It's the light bulb all over again with everything! I'm sick of junk being sold to me.
Who is with me?
Took it apart and it was broken at the valve seat, bought a brass valve
That's what I would have expected, either the end was broken off or the rubber washer had let go and was stuck in the seat. Anyway you should get more life out of one made of brass, mine is still working. Wish I had known how good the quality of the quartermaster brand was, I would have fixed the old one. But unless you happen to look inside you can't tell what you have by the outward appearance.
this is brass. absolutely useless thing. lowes item. mine got a fracture after winter.
If it fractured then it either had a defect or the anti-siphon valve failed. The quarter turn one that I have not with ceramic guts is going on 2 years. The one in front of my house, a real quartermaster brand, is going on 11years.
cheap, I'll go along with that.
these are crap just pure crap lived in this house 30 yrs with no leaks. had new frost free sillcock put in guess what, it split first winter. if it isnt broken dont fix it
The last one I got that was made like the old quartermaster is still working fine 2 plus years later. There are some decent ones available but not at a bog box store.