Seems simple enough, but when we applied water presser there was a significant leak at the receiving spigot. I took the handle off to gain access to the hold down nut (this is one of the freeze proof outside spigot, with the long rod to the shut off washer inside the house) figuring I could tighten it down on the O-ring or packing. When I took the handle center screw off (it was an band-aid job, a sheet metal screw, not a machine screw so there had been trouble here before, it seems) and to my surprise a steady stream of water shot out of the hole that the handle is screwed down to. I have no idea how that hole, which needed to be only a few threads deep would somehow provide a path back to the water in the body of the spigot.

Does this seem strange? Or better, what is going on?

I made a small attempt after shutting down the feeding hose to remove the long stem, but it seemed solid both at the clock-wise and counter-clock-wise directions, i.e., it didn't want to "screw" out, which I think it should. Looks like it is time to replace the whole mechanism.

Well, I shut that spigot down, it doesn't leak when the internal valve is in the off (screwed down) position. We hooked the hose up to another spigot. The house is now enjoying borrowed water pressure while waiting for the pump repair job.

Speaking of the pump repair job: they got two bids, one from a mostly plumber outfit was at least twice the bid for a well digging organization. Does this sound typical? The news I take away is call a well digging/installation specialist when you need the well repaired.

I am talking about a "sillcock" the type with the long "stem" that extends back inside the house to protect it from freezing. It appears this stem is hollow (i.e., a tube) and that it has somehow become ruptured, letting water pressure (once the stem is in the open position) enter the inside of the stem and leak out around the screw (bolt) that holds the handle on. As said above when the handle (and retaining screw) was removed water shot out of the screw hole

Perhaps a better question is how do I get the stem out? It appears all that is holding it in the pipe is the "retaining nut", at the outlet end, and the threads that run the valve/washer in and out to control water flow. If that's it, I assume one simple removes the retaining nut and unscrews the stem. In what, the counter-clockwise (open) direction?

I replaced one with my SIL that was split. The hose was left on in the winter, water was trapped, froze and split the pipe.

Yes I think I'll do the job myself, uninformed as I have documented myself to be, but though I might be able to replace just the "stem" (assembly?). The stem resisted my attempt to back it out. But, replacing the whole assembly means I don't need to get the stem out.

I must admit, I do wonder what the plumber did that repaired the unit from the outside only. I'd guess he/she pulled the stem, replaced the washer and then put in a new "O ring" or packing on the retaining nut. That's about all there is to the valve, any valve.

The unit even has an "extra" fixture on top and has in the manual instructions on how to clean it.