Here in Idaho, winter weather can really put a beating on your home. One weak spot could be your hose bibbs! For many homeowners, the start of winter means putting up, and then putting away holiday decorations. But have you done something to protect your outdoor faucets? If not, don’t worry; at Paul Davis Restoration of Idaho, we’ve got you covered.
Winter weather can wreak havoc on your outdoor hose bibb. If you don’t properly drain and shut off your outdoor faucets, water left in the supply line during freezing months may expand and break pipes, resulting in leaks.
By winterizing your outdoor faucets, you can safeguard your home from water damage this coming winter.
WHAT IS A HOSE BIBB?
Hose bibbs are valves or spigots that control water and are often used to connect a garden hose to your home’s tap water supply. They can be used indoors or outdoors but are usually found on the exterior of your home.
Using a hose bibb is the most convenient way of being able to water your yard or plants without having to run an unnecessarily long garden hose from other areas of your home.
Typically, a hose bibb will be placed near your home’s water shut-off valve. A tiny rubber washer is used to seal the together for a tight fit – during warmer months, this seal prevents leaks inside your walls at the hose bibb connection.
In many locations, you’re required to have at least one hose bibb on the exterior of your home.
HOW DOES A HOSE BIBB WORK?
To understand how a hose bibb works, it helps to understand how water pressure systems work in general.
Let’s say you want to open your kitchen faucet. First, you pull the handle of the faucet to the side, which opens a channel that allows water to flow into your kitchen sink. What you’re doing is removing a small amount of water pressure from the pipes underneath your sink. Your outdoor hose bibb works in essentially the same way.
One of the most common types of outdoor faucets is called a frost-free hose bibb. The handle on the outside of the house actually opens a valve that is inside the house. An air valve near the handle allows it to drain when the valve is closed, assuming there is nothing (such as a hose) to prevent the flow of water out of the bibb.
WHY WOULD A HOSE BIBB CAUSE WATER DAMAGE?
When a hose bibb crack causes water damage, it is often a result of water getting trapped inside the line due to incorrect installation, or a hose that was not detached. Correct installation requires a downward pitch of the valve’s stem, to allow gravity to drain the bibb after the valve’s seat has been closed.
If water is left inside the line, it can cause a split in the pipe inside the wall. The break will not be noticed until Spring arrives when the homeowner goes to use the hose. At this point, water not only flows through the hose at what feels like a normal rate but also inside the wall of your home.
HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR HOSE BIBB
ELIMINATE WATER FROM THE SUPPLY LINE
To begin, turn off the water from within your home and then open the hose bibb to drain the water. You must ensure that all the water has been drained from the hose bibb before disconnecting anything, or else you risk damaging your property.
After making sure that it is completely drained (do not rush this step!), close and secure the hose bibb by turning off any flow controls on it. Lastly, disconnect your garden hose from where it attaches to the outside faucet and store it indoors for future use!
DISCONNECT AND DRAIN APPLIANCES
Every device that you connect to the hose bibb, like a sprinkler, has some residual water left in it. Making sure there is no water left in any of your outdoor appliances is key to avoiding breakage.
If there is any lingering water in your hose or sprinkler system, it can freeze and expand causing the hose to burst. Hose bibbs can also freeze which may lead to broken pipes or even worse damage inside your home!
CLOSE THE HOSE BIBB
You should close the valve on the hose bibb either by turning it clockwise or pushing a knob inward. If your hose has a flexible rubber washer, use pliers to pull it out of its socket after closing the valve and store it somewhere safe for the winter.
You don’t need to worry about turning off water manually if you have an automatic shutoff valve (ASV) installed; just make sure not to leave any water running in your yard.
HOW PAUL DAVIS RESTORATION CAN HELP
Paul Davis is Idaho’s most trusted name in water damage restoration. Our highly trained Paul Davis specialists have the training and expertise to get your family home or business back to normal as quickly as possible – keeping your restoration project within budget and promised time frame.
Paul Davis franchises are always there for you with 24/7 emergency services. Whatever the cause of the water damage in your home or business, we offer a full menu of service options to restore your property, including:
- Water damage assessment
- Water extraction
- Drying of affected areas such as walls, carpet, padding and furniture
- Cleaning and restoration of possessions such as clothes, linens, books and documents
- Remediating mold and mildew damage
- Locating and repairing the source of leaking water
- Reconstruction services and storm damage repair
- Assisting with filing insurance claims
Paul Davis professionals respond quickly and work hard to restore water damage in your home as quickly as possible.
With 50+ years of experience in business and millions of homes restored, Paul Davis knows how to handle your water damage emergency.
For all your water damage restoration and repair needs, call Paul! 888-473-7669. We will be happy to get you in touch with an expert in your area.
CONCLUSION
If you follow these steps, your hose bibb will be protected from winter weather and ready to use when spring arrives. While it might seem like a hassle to spend time getting your outdoor plumbing ready for winter, the alternative is much worse.
If you don’t seal up your hose bibbs, winter weather could result in water damage to your home and require costly repairs. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A FROST-FREE HOSE BIBB?
A frost-free hose bibb works by using a special type of valve that closes automatically when you turn off the faucet. When you turn it back on, the valve opens automatically, allowing water to flow out of your hose bibb. This helps to prevent water from freezing inside your pipes during cold weather.
However, if you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing in winter, your water main may still freeze shut if it has not been shut off properly. The same goes for any pipes connected to your main line.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REPLACE A HOSE BIBB?
Replacing a hose bibb runs $175 on average, or between $100 and $300. New installation averages $200 to $500, depending on the bibb’s proximity to existing plumbing.
HOW DO I STOP MY OUTDOOR FAUCET FROM DRIPPING?
To stop a leaky outdoor faucet, tighten the packing nut below the handle in a clockwise direction with pliers or an adjustable wrench. If tightening the packing nut doesn’t solve your problem, you may need to replace the rubber washer or look for cracks that may have resulted from winter weather.