Summary: The article provides the procedure for repairing the leaking faucets in the garden. There are a few guidelines on how to handle the water flow for the garden hose. The outdoor faucets generally leak because of poor maintenance and carelessness at times.
Question: The outdoor faucet in my home garden is dripping and needs a solution to set right. It is frost-free hose faucet. I have been experiencing many problems after its installation and fed up by paying for its maintenance. Could you tell me about a new installation with full water supply and how to maintain it to make it leak-proof and rust free?
Answer: Repairing an outdoor faucet is a very common scene; especially I have abundant experiences in the issue. I got rid of the same problem until recently after I installed a new one. The process is so simple and does not eat away your time. So just relax and follow the steps carefully. Always remember that going with the traditional faucets are not worth the effort and you are sure to face problems.
Gone are the days when you used to rotate the faucet round and round and finally end up in a pain in the hand, yet could not open or close the valve. Today easy faucets that rotate 90 degrees only to open and close are available in the market. The water supply is also maximized compared to the ordinary ones. These are called ball valves. The making includes copper tubing that is soldered into each end of the valve to make a leak proof connection. So do not strain your fingers and thank the ball valves to make it so simple and cost-effective.
One more disadvantage of the traditional faucets is their interior design. The number of twists and turns water has to take to flow freely shows it as a very boring process. On the other hand, taking the ball valves for example, it contains a small ball shaped opening connecting directly. So the water flows very freely without any restriction and obstacles. The ball has a one half inch hole drilled through it. What’s more you get a good leak-proof set in less than $5.00.
Now there two issues to be taken care of. One, we must make it leak proof, two, prevent from bursting during winters. The only smart solution is to get two valves, indoor and outdoor. You must have understood the need for two by now. . The indoor valve will need to be turned off before cold weather and the outdoor valve should be opened and left open all winter to prevent a burst pipe.
Once you have decided to buy a ball valve, the problem is how best to connect it. For this you need an adapter. It makes it very simple and easy and you can get it from any hardware shop or a plumbing supply unit that too les than $1.50. The brass adapter has two ends with a male three quarter inch garden hose threads on one end and female one half inch threads on the other end. The ball valve can now be connected appropriately and you get ample water supply.
Generally the adapter is selected according to the size of the ball valve. I chose a one half inch male adapter. Now how to connect it? Well if you think you can use a Teflon tape or a pipe dope then think again. Soldering the adapter to the valve involves cost and effort but makes you pipe permanently leak-proof.
Now we are ready to set it right at your doorstep. All you need to do is measure the size of the pipelines and the clamps you will need to support the valves. I would suggest copper stand clamp as the best one, while you can use screws made of stainless steel and brass to hold the clamp.
To answer the last part of your question, I have gathered a few tips that you may wish to follow. You get a special hose nozzle made of brass, attach it to the ball valve and see your work done in minutes. Tell your kids to fill as many balloons and see how easily they fit into its nozzle. It is not as difficult as it sounds and the step is worth your precious effort.
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