Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
rbattelle
TDR MEMBER
I recently had to rebuild 2 freeze-resistant outdoor faucets at my house. In both cases the failed part was the little rubber seal that, when seated at the back of the faucet pipe, holds back the water.
When you turn the faucet handle on one of these you move the seal forward (away from the handle) until it contacts the seat.
What I learned from this process is that it's unnecessary and harmful to crank down on faucets like this. I found that the slightest finger-tight pressure is enough to shut off the water.
Most people (including me, until recently) really tighten the handle to "make sure" it's off.
Ryan
When you turn the faucet handle on one of these you move the seal forward (away from the handle) until it contacts the seat.
What I learned from this process is that it's unnecessary and harmful to crank down on faucets like this. I found that the slightest finger-tight pressure is enough to shut off the water.
Most people (including me, until recently) really tighten the handle to "make sure" it's off.
Ryan
