When you think of a plumbing system, you likely think about toilets and sinks inside your home. However, it’s likely that your plumbing system extends to the outside of your home as well. Just as with inside care, you need to give your outdoor plumbing proper maintenance, and you may even want to consider some upgrades along the way.
Hose Bibs
When it comes to the basics of outdoor plumbing, most homes have at least one outdoor hose bib. This is a hookup where you can attach a garden hose to wash your car or water your landscaping. In the spring, you should inspect hose bibs for signs of rust, leaks, or worn threads.
To clean rust off an outdoor hose bib, start by ensuring the water supply is turned off and put on protective gloves. Use a wire brush to scrub off any loose rust and dirt, and then, sand the rusty areas with medium to fine-grained sandpaper. For deeper rust removal, soak a rag in vinegar and wrap it around the hose bib, letting it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. The acidity of the vinegar will loosen the rust. Afterward, scrub the area again to remove the loosened rust and rinse thoroughly with water.
Once you have removed the rust, apply a paste made from baking soda and water to neutralize any remaining acidity from the vinegar, and then, rinse and dry the hose bib thoroughly. Consider using a rust-inhibiting primer or spray to prevent rust from forming in the future.
You can often fix a leaky outdoor faucet by replacing worn-out washers and O-rings or having a plumber perform this task for you. Unfortunately, worn threads on a spigot cannot be repaired. If you can no longer connect a garden hose to the fixture without it leaking, it will need to be replaced.
In the fall, disconnect your garden hoses before temperatures dip below freezing. Inspect them for damage, such as cracks or worn threads. On average, homeowners need to replace them every five to 10 years due to wear and tear. To store hoses in good condition for winter, drain all the water, and coil them neatly. Leaving the hose in the sun for 20 minutes will make it softer and easier to coil. The loops should be about 3 to 4 feet long to prevent kinking. Store garden hoses in a dry, cool place, ideally indoors, such as a garage or shed, to protect them from harsh weather conditions.
Next, you will want to shut off the water going to your outdoor faucets and drain the supply pipe from inside to ensure no water freezes in it. If you’re still using regular hose bibs, consider upgrading to a frost-free model. This type of hose bib is constructed with an elongated valve stem that extends all the way to the interior of your home. This way, when you turn your spigot to the off position, water is stopped while it’s still inside your warm home.
Irrigation Systems
Sprinkler systems are a great way to help ensure that your lawn and landscape continue to look stunning throughout the hot months. As spring arrives, you’ll want to visually examine every sprinkler head to ensure that it didn’t get damaged over the winter months. When your irrigation system is running, you want to verify that each sprinkler’s spray pattern is accurate and there are no obstructions in its path.
Fortunately, sprinkler systems have come a long way for homeowners. Nowadays, there are many great upgrades you may want to consider. For instance, you can purchase sprinklers with high-efficiency nozzles. These allow for heavier water droplets that won’t get carried away by the wind and are better at providing more precise watering for your landscaping.
You may also consider a smart irrigation system. These systems have sensors that monitor the moisture in the soil and adjust your watering schedule accordingly to prevent oversaturation.
Outdoor Sinks
Backyards are becoming the new oasis for many homeowners. From enjoying time playing outside with your kids to cookouts with your neighbors, investing in more outdoor features only makes sense. An outdoor kitchen can allow you all the conveniences of your indoor version.
The most obvious plumbing fixture you’ll need in your outdoor kitchen is a sink. You’ll want to be mindful of the materials you use, as they’ll be exposed to the elements, like rain and the sun. Stainless steel is a timeless favorite that’s resistant to rust and easy to clean.
Outdoor Showers
If you have an outdoor pool or spend a lot of time working in your garden, you may want to invest in an outdoor shower. This can allow you to get rid of excess dirt and debris before entering your home. Outdoor showers can also be used to get the sand off after going to the beach or to rinse off after a muddy hike. By cleaning up outside, you can prevent all the sand, dirt, and debris from your outdoor adventures from going down your house’s drains, protecting your indoor plumbing system.
Yard Hydrants
A yard hydrant is a great solution if you have a garden or flower bed that is far away from your house. It will prevent the need to drag around an extremely long hose.
When a plumber installs one for hose hookups, they dig a trench to lay a pipe from the water source to the hydrant location. After connecting the pipe to the water line, they mount and secure the hydrant, ensuring it extends below the frost line to prevent freezing in colder months.
Outdoor Water Fountains
An outdoor drinking water fountain is a great addition to any home, especially with kids. This fountain can help to keep everyone hydrated and safe during those hot summer days. The best part is that there’s no tracking down water bottles or ending up with hot water. Your family and guests can enjoy cold drinking water anytime they’re outside.
Maintenance is fairly simple to perform on these outdoor drinking fountains. Your main concern is going to be limescale buildup, as the water is going to dry very quickly during hot days. You can remove this buildup with distilled white vinegar. You’ll want to stay up-to-date on cleaning to ensure that the limescale doesn’t affect the flow of the water coming out of the fountain.
While drinking fountains are fairly simple, you can get a couple of upgrades. One common feature is having a pet fountain bowl near the fountain’s bottom. You simply hold the fountain button down until the bowl fills with water for your furry family member.
Expert Plumbing Service
At 3 Mountains Home Services, we have provided expert plumbing services to residents of Milwaukie, OR and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. We also install, maintain, and repair cooling and heating systems and can help you with all your electrical needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable team members.
