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Frost-free Yard Hydrants

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

Most "modern" faucets, that I see attached to the exterior of the home in Bellingham and Whatcom County, will be frost-free hose bibbs with backflow prevention devices -- to keep gray water out of the potable water system.

However, frequently even at new homes, out at the garden or at perimeter locations, I will see a simple faucet mounted on a piece of pipe (anything from PVC plastic pipe to copper or galvanized steel) sticking out of the ground. Most of the time these faucets are not frost-free and, even if they were, the associated pipe would not be. Unsupported plastic and copper tubing are prone to being bent, or even ruptured, by pulling on a hose that is attached to the faucet.

When I see such an arrangement, I always recommend that clients should have a plumber install modern yard hydrants. These devices are rugged, of frost-free design (so they do not freeze in winter) and they have backflow preventers. Below is a photo of a modern, and durable, yard hydrant.

As is the case with any outside faucet, if you live in a region where it gets cold, make sure you remove the garden hose from the yard hydrant or a hose bibb in the winter months. If not, you might end up with a frozen faucet or ruptured pipes even if you have a proper frost-free faucet installed.

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Terrific advice.  I see these all over, and often CPVC.  Out there is galvanized more common?  Is the underground stuff typically galvanized as well?

Jul 07, 2013 08:24 PM
Chuck Mixon
The Keyes Company - Cutler Bay, FL
Cutler Bay Specialist, GRI, CDPE, BPOR

Fire Hydrants have weep hole that drain any water in the hydrant after use. I would think that the yard hydrant must drain too at least down to the frost line.

Jul 07, 2013 09:33 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Steven, good information for those who own homes with yard hydrants. Thanks.

Jul 07, 2013 10:45 PM
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

I guess it's a good idea.  We always shut off the water to the "sill faucet" and opened it up to drain.  Every winter.

Jul 07, 2013 11:22 PM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

So it's definitely a start, but you're still not out of the woods if you live in a cold climate.

Jul 07, 2013 11:28 PM
Sharon Miller
RE/MAX Platinum - Crane Hill, AL

Steve,

Excellent post. Lost a "frost free" hydrant assembly a few years ago on my Alabama farm. Somebody left the hose connected to the hydrant after filling the horse watering troughs in january.

Jul 07, 2013 11:35 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

See those a lot in our neck of the woods.

Jul 07, 2013 11:55 PM
Roger Stensland
Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA
Let's Move!

I don't have frost free hydrants installed and have to drain the system before the cold season. Just turn off the valve to the outlying hydrants and let a gravity flow hose pull the water from the system.

Jul 08, 2013 01:00 AM
Edward & Celia Maddox
The Celtic Connection Realty - Queen Creek, AZ
EXPERIENCE & INTEGRITY - WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

Good suggestion.  Also, if not frost free, cover it with foam or towel.

Jul 08, 2013 01:54 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Steve, Well I have not seen you in these parts for a while ;) I like those hydrants and see quite a few of them.

Jul 08, 2013 02:33 AM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Great info, seen them but  I never gave thought to these hydrants until now.

Jul 08, 2013 02:39 AM
Chris Miller Nevada Land with Water Rights
Vegas Grand Realty and Property Management - Mesquite, NV
Land with Water Rights For Sale

Great advise, every yard should have these freeze proof faucets. Many think these are farm land tools, but that is not true. Maybe builders will get this and start installing them instead of the out the wall outdoor water supply.

Jul 08, 2013 04:10 AM
Tamra Lee Ulmer
Arizona Resource Realty - Payson, AZ
NRBA ~FORCE~ Over 1000 REO Assets SOLD!

Great Advice. I see those Hydrants all the time. Thanks!

Jul 08, 2013 04:49 AM
Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Great information. Never really thought about it here in Chicagoland. For sure it will be part of winter preparation from here on.

Jul 08, 2013 10:47 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

That's a good idea to ensure you don't have additional issues from old man winter

Jul 08, 2013 01:02 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

We rarely run into this in Silicon Valley, Calif., but it has happened before.

Jul 08, 2013 05:06 PM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

This is one thing we in south Florida do not have to worry about!

Jul 08, 2013 08:29 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Everyone,

Thanks for the comments. I have been running around and had little time to get back in here. Jay, in answer to your question, the ones I see around here look like the one in the photo with the metal pipe from the ground up. Where possible, most of our underground pipe is copper or plastic. Very little underground galvanized except in old houses and, maybe, at some hose bibbs.

Jul 22, 2013 04:20 AM