A step-by-step guide to protecting your exterior faucets from freezing and bursting.

Is the warm water heater of yours leaking? When water is actually pooling near the water heater of yours or maybe dripping out of the warm water tank or perhaps pipes, stick to this professional suggestion for h20 heater leak diagnosis and repair.

A leaking water heater is able to signify any of several issues, which range from unfastened valves to a corroded water tank. In reality, water pooling around the heater of yours doesn’t constantly signify a leak – it could be the outcome of condensation.

Right here we are going to walk you through the correct measures to take when you notice drips or perhaps pooling around the water heater. For info regarding some other drinking water heater troubles, see Water Heater Troubleshooting and Repair.

The very first, as well as most apparent action, is actually determining if water is actually dripping, spraying, and flooding.

We will start with probably the worst of these: flooding or spraying. If the drinking water heater is actually dripping, skip down the page.

If the drinking water heater has flooded as well as damaged some other areas or flooring of the home of yours, you’ll want to take a look at the coverage of the homeowner’s insurance policy.

Step 1
Freezeproof Faucet Overview

A burst water pipe is actually a home repair nightmare: If the temperature drops below freezing and also the water in a totally exposed pipe freezes, it expands, rupturing the pipe. While many plumbing is actually shielded by heating or insulation, an outdoor faucet is actually vulnerable to the elements.

Thankfully, this particular fixture is actually very easy to protect with a freezeproof faucet (aka a frostproof or freezes hose bib, sillcock, or maybe faucet). A regular hose pipe faucet freezes because the supply pipe link to the faucet outside the warmed home. This exposes the water to cold temperatures. A freezeproof faucet, which ranges from four to twenty-four inches in length, extends back into the home, and the valve seat – the place that the water stops if the faucet is actually off – is actually all of the ways inside. And so when the handle is actually switched off outdoors, the water never ever makes it farther than the warm side area of the wall; any water trapped in between simply drains out the faucet.

Remember that this particular installation presumes the home is actually plumbed with copper pipe. You will typically be in a position to stick to these instructions for various other substances, though cutting as well as joining will be changed. in case you’ve galvanized steel pipes, do not forget to make use of a dielectric union when you introduce copper pipe directly into the system.

CAUTION: This project calls for soldering with a propane torch. Use extreme care when dealing with the flame: Wear eye goggles, guard combustible substances with fire resistant cloth or maybe sheet metal, and prevent a fire extinguisher close by just in case.

Step 2
Drain the faucet

Near the water supply shut-off valve nearest to the hose pipe faucet to be changed.

Go back again to the faucet, disconnect the hose, as well as open the faucet so it drains.

Go back to the shut-off valve and then examine the side of its for a small nut, or maybe drain cap. If perhaps you see one, hold a bucket underneath the valve and ease the nut with the fingers of yours or maybe a pair of pliers. Almost any bath tapped between the faucet and also the shut-off valve will drain out.

Step 3
Reduce the source line

On the interior of the wall, find the horizontal pipe coming out of the hose faucet. Estimation in which the brand new freeze-proof faucet is going to reach, bring six inches, as well as create a mark.

When the pipe is actually copper, use an emery cloth or maybe 100 grit sandpaper to cleanse this particular place.

Cut the copper pipe at the mark with a small hacksaw, tubing cutter, or maybe a good quarter tubing cutter.

Tip: When working with a tubing cutter, make no less than one total revolution within the pipe before tightening the knob of its turn.

Step 4
Take out the old faucet

Head outdoors and get rid of the 2 screws holding the outdated hose pipe faucet to the home.

Carefully pull the faucet from the wall. If the flange of its is caught behind a slice of siding or perhaps trim, work with a pry bar to the office the flange free.

Tip: Do not discard the outdated faucet just yet. You might be in a position to make use of the part of the supply pipe that is connected to it to link the brand new freezeproof faucet.

Step 5
Remove the brand new faucets stem assembly

Use an adaptable wrench as well as pliers to get rid of the stem assembly from the freezeproof faucet. Twist off the retaining nut and then glide out the assembly. This is actually essential to stop the stem’s rubber seat from melting during soldering.

Test-fit the brand new faucet into the gap at the home wall structure. When it does not very fit, enlarge the gap with a drill as well as a 1-inch-diameter spade little.

Step 6
Install the brand new faucet

Wrap the threaded end of the brand new faucet with Teflon plumber’s tape, then glide it using the gap and press the flange tight against the siding. Do not screw it in position just yet.

When the gap is actually a little too large, pull out the faucet a couple of inches and fill the area within the pipe with a heavy bead of adhesive caulk. This helps to seal out the cold.

Today, move within and bring along with you all of the fittings as well as resources for making the plumbing connections.

Step 7
Install the pipe link

Thread a 1/2 inch female copper adapter upon the conclusion of the freezeproof faucet, then tighten it with a wrench.

Measure the gap between the adapter and also the water supply pipe you cut; add 1/2 inch and cut a length of brand new pipe to install and/or make use of what is attached to the outdated faucet.

Tip: Fit an adaptable wrench on the wrenching surface, next to the threads, to hold the faucet steady as you firm up the adapter.

Step 8
Solder the connections

Slide a 1/2 inch coupling with the conclusion of the water supply pipe.

Insert the quite short pipe aisle into the coupling at one end and also the adapter at the other.

Solder the 3 joints utilizing a propane torch as well as lead-free solder.

Wipe the joints clean with a heavy cloth, being very careful not to touch the hot pipe with your bare hand.

Tip: Remember to clean all of the pipe ends and fittings with a wire and emery cloth fitting brush, then use flux to all linking surfaces before soldering.

Step 9
Reinstall the stem assembly

Now you are able to secure the faucet to the home with 2 one 1/2 inch0long weather-resistant screws. Operate the screws with the mounting gaps in the flange.

Slide the stem assembly into the faucet and tighten it up with pliers.

Close the drain nut on the shut-off valve, then open the valve as well as check for leaks.

Right now go back to the brand new faucet and change it on. Let the water work for a couple of seconds to flush out the surplus flux.

Tip: For added environmental safety, wrap the faucet’s pipe with pre-slit foam or maybe fiberglass pipe insulation tubes.