Frost Free Wall Faucet Is A Great Way To Prevent Leaks.

Frost Free Wall Faucet for your MN Home

Every spring we get a number of calls from homeowners who have turned on their outside faucet for the first time to discover water coming out of places other than the end of the faucet.  This also occurs when the temperatures warm up and what was once a “frozen wall faucet”  is now a “thawed cracked wall faucet”.

While as a plumbing contractor we enjoy these calls for the work, we feel for the homeowner who is experiencing the problem.  It is also unfortunate because it could have been avoided with a little preventative plumbing service.  A frost free wall faucet or frost free silcock installed during the warm season would have prevented leaks and broken faucets.

Frost free outdoor faucets have a long neck on them that goes through your outside wall into your home.  The handle on the faucet which is outside closes the water off inside your home where it is usually warmer. This prevents the water from freezing at the handle thus breaking the handle causing the leaking or preventing you from turning your faucet on in the spring.

Frost free faucets are a good way to help prevent pipe damage in case you forget to use your shut off valve or you don’t have a shut off valve going to the faucet.  However, it is always best to follow the following ideas when fall arrives or you go on an extended vacation.

• Have a shut off valve installed  – Most newer homes have this already.  It is usually within viewing from the wall that your faucet is attached.
• Turn the shut off valve off - I recommend this during the winter or if you go on vacation or are away from the house for any extended time.  The frost free is only good if it is shut off.  I have heard of homes where kids have turned on the outside faucet when people are out of town.  What could be a fun prank for the kid could be a very expensive water damage claim with the possibility of the basement wall falling in.
• Disconnect yard hose - Your yard hose can hold water next to the faucet unless it is disconnected.
• Install a frost free water faucet - Having a plumber do this for you will offer a little insurance just in case your autumn gets to busy that you forget to turn off that shut off valve.

Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air can help you with your outside faucet replacement or repairs along with any other plumbing service needs you have in your home.  You can reach us by phone or schedule your appointment online.