Keep Water Flowing With A Freeze-Proof Outdoor Faucet
Dealing with frozen pipes and damaged plumbing is a winter nightmare no homeowner wants to face. Investing in a freeze-proof outdoor faucet is the best way to keep water flowing even when frigid temperatures arrive.
We'll also share tips on proper winterization to get the most out of your new tap. Say goodbye to burst pipes and unnecessary home repairs!
Why You Need a Freeze-Proof Outdoor Faucet
A standard outdoor faucet connected to your home's plumbing is prone to freezing during cold weather. When water freezes inside the pipe, it expands putting pressure on the pipe walls. This can lead to cracks, bursts, and water damage.
Replacing broken pipes and fixing water-logged walls is a major hassle - not to mention the expense. The average pipe repair costs $360 while extensive water damage can run into the thousands. And that's not even considering the challenge of being without running water until repairs are completed.
Investing in a frost-proof faucet specially designed to prevent freezing is the best way to avoid these winter plumbing nightmares. The small upfront cost will pay off the first time your outdoor tap stays ice-free while regular pipes freeze.
Prevent Pipe Bursting and Water Damage
Pipe bursts most often occur when uninsulated water lines freeze. The ice buildup causes excessive pressure leading to cracks and ruptures. When the ice thaws, water gushes out causing water staining, mold growth, warped floors and walls, electrical issues, and more.
Outdoor faucets are especially vulnerable because of their exposure to cold winter air. Investing in a faucet specifically engineered to avoid freezing keeps burst pipes and water damage at bay.
Avoid Expense and Hassle of Repairs
Even a small pipe leak requires opening up walls to access the damaged line. Repairs involve replacing the burst pipe section, patching the wall, cleaning up water damage, and repainting. The average cost is $360 for a simple pipe patch job.
More extensive pipe replacement along with water damage repairs can cost thousands and require professional mitigation services. Additionally, your home may be uninhabitable until water and heat are restored.
Avoid paying for repairs and dealing with the hassle by investing in an outdoor faucet made to withstand winter temperatures year after year.
Ensure Access to Outdoor Water All Winter
Another benefit of a freeze-proof outdoor faucet is keeping outdoor water access even when temperatures plunge. Ordinary taps must be shut off and disconnected before winter to avoid bursting.
With an anti-freeze faucet, you can keep your outdoor water line pressurized and usable. That means conveniently watering winter plants, washing patios and siding, or filling a hot tub whenever needed.
How Outdoor Faucets Freeze
To understand why ordinary outdoor taps freeze and how freeze-proof models avoid ice blockages, you need to comprehend basic freezing mechanics.
Knowing the risk factors that make standard faucets prone to freezing issues will also help you assess your unique situation.
Understanding Freeze Mechanics
Freezing occurs when a liquid, in this case water, transitions from a liquid to a solid ice state. This phase change happens once the temperature dips below 32deg F or 0deg Celsius.
As water freezes it expands, increasing in volume, taking up more physical space. This expansion exerts outward pressure on whatever encloses it - such as metal or plastic pipes.
Strong freeze pressure can stretch pipes beyond capacity leading to splits or cracks. Then when the ice eventually melts, these fractures turn into leaks and bursts at pipe joints and connections.
By designing taps to resist ice expansion force, specially engineered models avoid freeze damage.
Identifying Risk Factors
Certain situations make it more likely your standard outdoor faucet will freeze. Being aware of these risk factors allows assessing your personal winterization needs.
Pipe Materials: Metal pipes conduct cold easier than plastic allowing interior water to chill faster. Copper, steel, iron, and galvanized steel pipes show the highest freeze risk.
Climate & Exposure: Colder regions with more consistent sub-freezing days require extra precautions. Outdoor taps on northern facing walls get less sun warmth. Faucets exposed to biting winds are also vulnerable.
Improper Winterization: Failure to disconnect garden hoses permits lingering water to freeze inside pipes. Not adequately insulating valves and supply lines also ups the change of ice blockages.
Winterizing Traditional Faucets
To avoid freezing issues with standard outdoor taps, proper winterization is essential. This involves completely draining all water from the pipe system.
Steps include:
- Detach and store garden hoses away from taps
- Open outdoor faucets and allow water to drain out completely
- Close interior shut-off valves supplying outdoor spigots
- Wrap and insulate exposed valves and pipes
Without water inside to freeze and expand, the risk of bursting and leaks reduces. But that also means losing all outdoor water access when it's needed most.
Choosing the Best Freeze-Proof Faucet
The key to an outdoor faucet that resists freezing lies in how far its stem extends into warmer interior wall spaces. But plenty of other features also determine performance and durability.
Let's compare anti-freeze faucet valve designs and cover must-have features to allow choosing the model best meeting your winter water needs.
Comparing Anti-Freeze/Anti-Burst Designs
Outdoor taps use one of two main technologies to prevent frozen pipes. Understanding how vacuum breaker valves and long stem designs work allows choosing the right system for your climate and plumbing configuration.
Vacuum Breaker Valves
Faucets with a vacuum breaker valve automatically drain any standing water inside pipes when temperatures drop. This prevents interior water from freezing and expanding.
Vacuum breaker valves use temperature sensitivity to open and release water when air temps hit 34-40deg F. Below this threshold, residual water automatically drains out which keeps the remaining pipe hollow.
Without water to freeze inside, the pipe won't burst from ice expansion pressure. Vacuum release valves provide reliable freeze prevention but do shut off winter water access.
Long Stem Anti-Freeze Design
Long stem outdoor faucets extend the valve deeper into the insulated interior wall. This design protects interior pipe sections from freezing air outside.
They range from 12-24 inches long allowing the valve and supply pipes to sit in 40deg+ degree basement spaces. Having less pipe exposed to cold air minimizes the chance of ice blockages.
These faucets cost more but let you enjoy outdoor water, even in subzero cold. Just take care not to leave garden hoses attached which can still harbor freezing water.
Important Features To Consider
Along with the overall anti-freeze design, certain features should factor when selecting an outdoor frost-proof faucet. Key considerations include:
- Materials - Brass and stainless steel resists corrosion better with hot and cold temperature fluctuations.
- Number of Handles - Compression faucets take two hands to control water. Single-handle models are simpler to operate.
- Hose Compatibility - Match faucet and hose connector ends for a watertight seal.
Brass and stainless steel stand up to years of seasonal wear better than cheaper plastics. Metal handles repeated hot/cold cycles without cracking while plastic breaks down quicker.
Industrial grade metals also better resist corrosion from minerals and chemicals in tap water protecting the inner valve mechanics.