How to Install a Frost Proof Faucet

Even places with moderate climates can at times encounter freezing temperatures at night, and also those temperatures can do more damage to plumbing than they do in colder regions because folks aren’t prepared for them. Outdoor spigots are the most frequent casualties of immediately freezes — the Water indoors expands and bursts the seals or the tubes into which they are connected. You can avoid it by installing a frost-proof faucet on the side of your house. It looks like a normal spigot from outdoors, but it has a long valve chamber that goes inside in which the temperature is hotter.

Pick a location on the side of your house for the faucet. You must have the ability to get the other side of this wall from inside your property, and there should be a 3/4-inch cold water pipe nearby.

Drill a 1-inch hole through the ground with a drill and a 1-inch spade bit. If the siding is stucco, chip the hole with a cold chisel and hammer and drill during the plywood sheathing.

Insert the valve-end of a frost-proof faucet through the hole and attach the faucet to the ground. Most units have flanges with screw holes for this purpose. Drive a 1 1/2-inch wood screw through each hole into the ground or sheathing underneath. Seal the perimeter of the flange with silicone caulk.

Shut off the water into the 3/4-inch cold water pipe which provides the faucet. Cut the pipe with a pipe cutter and allow the water drain out. Water drains faster if you open a faucet on the line to allow air in.

Solder a 3/4-inch copper tee onto the pipe with its socket facing in the management of this frost-free faucet. Assemble a system of 3/4-inch copper pipe and fittings to get water from the tee to the faucet. Fit all of the components of the water with each other, spreading soldering flux at each joint with the brush that comes with the flux.

Open the frost-free faucet to let heat escape, then solder all the joints in the new water with a torch and lead-free solder. Close the faucet when you are done, turn on the water and check for leaks.

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