Don't Break the Spigot — What to Do When the Water Won't Shut Off

By Jason Geiman, King of Pressure Wash | 135,000+ views on YouTube

Here's a situation every pressure washing operator will run into sooner or later: you finish a job, go to shut off the customer's water spigot, and it won't turn all the way off. Water keeps dripping or flowing, and your instinct is to crank down harder on the handle to stop it. That instinct can cost you a lot of money and a very uncomfortable conversation with a homeowner.

I've seen this happen more times than I can count over my 15+ years in the pressure washing business — operators break a customer's spigot trying to force it shut, and then they're on the hook for a plumber. In this post, I'll explain why spigots stick, what you should do when one won't shut off, and how to protect yourself and your customer's property on every job.

Why Spigots Won't Shut Off

Most outdoor spigots — also called hose bibs or sillcocks — use a simple compression valve. When you turn the handle, a rubber washer presses against a brass seat inside the valve body to stop the water flow. Over time, that rubber washer wears out, hardens, or deteriorates. When the washer can't seal properly anymore, the spigot drips or runs even when the handle is turned all the way closed.

Other common causes include mineral buildup inside the valve body, a corroded valve stem, or a handle that's been over-tightened so many times that the internal threads are worn. In cold climates, freeze damage can also crack or warp the internal components, making it impossible for the valve to seal completely.

The important thing to understand is that none of these problems will be fixed by turning the handle harder. If the spigot doesn't shut off with normal hand pressure, forcing it will only make things worse.

What Happens When You Force It

When you try to muscle a stubborn spigot closed, several bad things can happen. The most common is snapping the handle right off the valve stem. Once that happens, you've got a broken spigot with no way to control the water flow, and the homeowner is looking at a plumbing repair.

You can also strip the internal threads on the valve stem, which means the handle spins freely without actually closing the valve. Or you can crack the valve body itself, which turns a drip into a full-on water leak. In any of these cases, you've just damaged a customer's property — and you're responsible for fixing it.

Even if you manage to force it shut without visible damage, you may have compressed or deformed the internal washer to the point where the spigot will leak worse than before once it's turned back on. The homeowner calls you a week later saying their spigot has been leaking since you were there, and now it's your problem.

What to Do Instead

Turn it with normal pressure only

When you go to shut off the spigot at the end of a job, turn the handle with normal hand pressure — the same amount of force you'd use on your own spigot at home. If it stops and the water stops flowing, you're good. If the handle stops turning but water is still flowing, don't force it any further.

Disconnect your hose and let the homeowner know

If the spigot won't shut off completely, disconnect your garden hose from the spigot and let the homeowner know. Tell them the spigot doesn't fully shut off and that it was like that when you arrived. Most homeowners already know their spigot drips — it's not news to them. But by telling them upfront, you're protecting yourself from a callback or a blame situation later.

Document the condition before you start

This is a habit every pressure washing operator should develop: when you connect your garden hose to the customer's spigot at the beginning of the job, take a quick mental note — or even a photo — of its condition. Is the handle stiff? Does it already drip? Is the spigot old, corroded, or wobbly? If you notice any issues before you start, mention it to the homeowner and document it. A quick photo on your phone takes two seconds and can save you from a dispute later.

Never use pliers or tools on a customer's spigot

Some operators carry pliers or a wrench and use them to turn stubborn spigot handles. Don't do this. Pliers give you far more leverage than the handle was designed for, and it's very easy to snap the handle, crack the valve body, or strip the internal threads. If the handle won't turn with your hand, it won't turn safely with pliers either.

What If You Do Break a Spigot?

Accidents happen. If you do break a customer's spigot — even if it was already in bad shape — the professional move is to take responsibility and get it fixed. Call a plumber, get the repair done, and cover the cost. It's usually a relatively inexpensive repair (replacing a hose bib is a common plumbing job), and it costs far less than losing a customer or getting a bad review.

If you have general liability insurance (and you should), this type of property damage is typically covered. But the claim process and deductible may make it easier to just pay for the repair directly for a simple spigot replacement.

The worst thing you can do is deny responsibility or leave without telling the homeowner. If they discover a broken spigot after you've left, you've lost their trust — and probably any future business or referrals from them.

Protecting Your Business Long-Term

Carry general liability insurance. This covers accidental property damage, including things like broken spigots, cracked windows from pressure, or water intrusion damage. It's a basic cost of doing business as a professional pressure washer.

Document everything. Take photos of the work area before and after every job. This includes the spigot, the surfaces you're cleaning, any existing damage, and anything else that could become a dispute later. Your phone's camera roll is your best defense against false claims.

Communicate with the homeowner. If you notice anything unusual during a job — a spigot that doesn't shut off, a loose piece of trim, a window that's already cracked — tell the homeowner right away. Transparency builds trust and prevents misunderstandings.

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