outdoor water pipes

grandmeme · 04-05-2009, 06:49 PM

I have pvc piping to the outside spigots. EVERY year when i turn the water back on, they are cracked and I have to start all over replacing some of the piping and all the spigots. out well water is corrosive, so no copper. i know i'm doing something wrong, but don't know how to fix it. and yet, i open the spigots and turn the water off inside the house. suggestions please.

kenmac · 04-05-2009, 06:53 PM

Insulation On the pipes will help. I have out side spigots & haven't had any problems .. I keep them covered for winter & they are insulated

Scuba_Dave · 04-05-2009, 07:52 PM

There is also a spigot with a longer "neck"
This shuts off the water inside the wall of the building
Instead of allowing water all the way tio the outside

I have a shut off valve inside for each spigot
I shut the water off, open spigot to drain, then close the spigot before cold weather hits. If you leave it open cold air can enter

Is the PVC outside?
Or in an unheated crawlspace?

biggles · 04-05-2009, 08:01 PM

if you have one water line feeding the spigots from the inside shut off you need to add a union on the line going out from the water shut off.then in the fall you shut the main water feed going out open the spigots outside and crack the union and VENT the lines from the open spigots.you were draining partial water out by just opening the spigots after closing the water off for the season.

grandmeme · 04-05-2009, 08:47 PM

message l: against a stucco wall...can't figure out how to insulate spigot.
message 2: shutoff is about 1' inside wall. yes pvc extends thro the wall to the spigot outside
message 3: that's what i do.
and still - cracks appear

brokenknee · 04-05-2009, 09:03 PM

Do your lines go to a crawl space or a basement? You should be able to shut the water off in a location that stays warm all winter. If not add one. If the lines go into a basement I would install a frost free sill cock. You can get these in varying lengths just make sure to get one that goes into the heated portion of your home.

When you are shutting the water off are you leaving the sill cocks open? You should also not leave any hoses connected so it will drain. Make sure you turn it off early enough in the fall to allow all the water to drain out. Some shutoffs have a little bleeder valve to open to speed up this process.

edit: one other thing to consider is when you repair the lines make sure they slope toward the spigot. Also check your shut off valve as it may be leaking ever so slightly. If so replace with ball valve.

4just1don · 04-05-2009, 10:58 PM

If all else fails you have to get air into where the shutoff is, so it drains and sloped down to spigot. Either you need another valve that admits air or need a bleeder on it to allow air. If water is air trapped in there it will still freeze. In conjuntion with a frost proof sillcock. If your unfamiliar with what that is go to the big box stores and ask for them,,,they make all the difference in the world. You MAY just not understand the terms used here,,,quite understandably.