Whatever you call them - hose bibs, spigots, taps, faucets, yard hydrants – we’ve all got them around the exterior of our homes but do you really know how they work? Do you know why, at this time every year, I remind everyone who will listen to me to please remember to unhook your garden hoses from them?
OK I get it...I really do. You’re thinking “why did this guy spend part of his day writing a blog about hose bibs?” I’m writing about them because they’re important and also because I couldn’t think of anything else to blog about this week.
OK I get it...I really do. You’re thinking “why did this guy spend part of his day writing a blog about hose bibs?” I’m writing about them because they’re important and also because I couldn’t think of anything else to blog about this week.
So let’s get down to it…
Garden Hoses - First and foremost I want to get this out of the way early on in case you people stop reading before you get to the end – if you still have garden hoses connected to your hose bibs unhook them now. That means stop sharing this amazing blog post with all your friends and go do it…right now! If you leave garden hoses hooked up the following could happen...don't say I didn't warn you.
Garden Hoses - First and foremost I want to get this out of the way early on in case you people stop reading before you get to the end – if you still have garden hoses connected to your hose bibs unhook them now. That means stop sharing this amazing blog post with all your friends and go do it…right now! If you leave garden hoses hooked up the following could happen...don't say I didn't warn you.
What is Frost-free? - A frost-free hose bib has a stem that's 6 to 12 inches long that extends from the exterior wall of your home through the band into your basement. It prevents cold weather from freezing your pipes because the stem washer & seat valve reside inside your home where things are hopefully warm and snuggly. What this means is when you shut the valve off the water is actually stopped inside your home not at the handle outside.
Almost as important as the hose bib itself is how it’s installed. There should be a slight downward pitch to the valve (sloping out towards your yard). This allows whatever water is left in the 6 to 12 inch long pipe to drain out. This, my friends, is why it’s important to unhook garden hoses from hose bibs. With a hose still attached water will not drain out and can freeze and cause the pipe to burst.
As an added benefit the hose bib typically includes an anti-siphon system that stops water or other liquids from being siphoned back into the water supply. This is only relevant if you’re an idiot or you're a bad guy from a James Bond movie and have a garden hose that is connected to your hose bib with the other end resting in a bucket full of gasoline or some other toxic liquid chemical.
Almost as important as the hose bib itself is how it’s installed. There should be a slight downward pitch to the valve (sloping out towards your yard). This allows whatever water is left in the 6 to 12 inch long pipe to drain out. This, my friends, is why it’s important to unhook garden hoses from hose bibs. With a hose still attached water will not drain out and can freeze and cause the pipe to burst.
As an added benefit the hose bib typically includes an anti-siphon system that stops water or other liquids from being siphoned back into the water supply. This is only relevant if you’re an idiot or you're a bad guy from a James Bond movie and have a garden hose that is connected to your hose bib with the other end resting in a bucket full of gasoline or some other toxic liquid chemical.
Do you have a frost-free hose bib? - Building codes require that our homes have frost-free exterior hose bibs so that’s likely what you have. I recommend though that you double check, especially if you live in an old home or are just concerned. The sure-fire way to tell is to look up inside the spout. On a frost-free hose bib you’ll see a metal stem running from the handle (like a metal dowel rod) back into your home. On a hose bib that isn’t frost-free you’ll be able to see valve components open and close when the handle is turned. If you see valve components opening and closing call a plumber and get it replaced with a frost-free valve.
So for all you people who skipped to the end here are the three important things to remember...
Oh and one more thing...go like us on Facebook by clicking HERE
So for all you people who skipped to the end here are the three important things to remember...
- Unhook ALL garden hoses from exterior valves
- Make sure you have frost-free style hose bibs and if you don't have them replaced
- Make sure your frost-free hose bibs slope ever so slightly towards the exterior of your home
Oh and one more thing...go like us on Facebook by clicking HERE
This article is for general information purposes only. Rick Kelley Builders makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of any information contained herein.
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