Insulating Water Pipes? Don't Forget Outdoor Wall Hydrants
Exposed water pipes on external walls are vulnerable to freezing when temperatures plummet. While many homeowners diligently insulate indoor plumbing before winter, it's easy to overlook exterior fixtures like hose bibs and wall hydrants.
Outdoor water taps and valves often penetrate the warm envelope of a home. Frigid outdoor air can travel inside these wall penetrations, freezing water in spigots and connected pipes. Just one burst pipe or valve can unleash a flood of water damage and costly repairs.
What Are Outdoor Wall Hydrants?
Outdoor wall hydrants, also called hose bibs or sillcocks, are water faucets mounted on external walls. They provide access to outdoor water supplies for tasks like gardening, washing vehicles, or filling pools.
While constructed similarly to indoor sink or tub faucets, outdoor hydrants face much harsher weathering from rain, sun exposure, animals, temperature swings, etc. Most concerning is their increased freezing risk.
Vulnerability to Freezing
Wall hydrants pass through the building's weather barrier via a sleeve or special housing. This penetrating point leaves an open path between indoor heated spaces and exterior cold temperatures.
Water sitting in sillcock pipes and valves can freeze solid when frigid outside air contacts these penetration points. Expanding ice puts tremendous pressure on pipe walls and valve bodies, often cracking them open.
Preventing Frozen Pipes and Valves
Insulating outdoor faucets protects the valve body AND connected supply pipes from freezing. This safeguards against burst plumbing and flooded properties during winter.
Insulated hydrants also prevent surface condensation issues during warmer months. Let's explore proper materials and techniques to insulation exterior wall taps.
Materials For Insulating Wall Hydrants
Choosing the right insulation for outdoor water fixtures depends on climate severity, pipe size, and wall construction. Common options include:
- Foam pipe sleeves
- Fiberglass insulation wraps
- Removable faucet covers
- Electrical heat tape
Foam Pipe Insulation
Pre-split foam sleeves fit snugly over pipes, valves, and elbows. Look for heavy-duty, UV-resistant polyethylene or rubber foam rated for exterior use. 1/2"-1" thick insulation suits most regions.
Fiberglass Wrap
Flexible fiberglass insulation wraps around hydrants and supply pipes. Secure it well with weatherproof tape. While effective, tears and gaps easily compromise its insulating value.
Faucet Covers
Foam faucet covers insulate just the valve itself. They're quick to install but leave supply pipes vulnerable. Ensure they allow the handle to operate and drain properly.
Heat Trace Cable
Electric heat tape wraps around pipes. It warms them just above freezing to prevent ice blockages. Heat trace requires an outdoor GFCI outlet and professional installation.
Step-By-Step Insulation Process
Follow these key steps to properly insulate exterior wall hydrants before winter:
- Shut off the water supply and open the spigot to drain all water from the line.
- Check pipe exteriors for grease or grime and clean surfaces for insulation adhesion.
- Wrap insulation snugly around valve body, pipe, and wall inlet without restricting handle movement.
- Seal insulation seams and edges with weatherproof tape to prevent moisture intrusion.
- Insulate all outdoor faucet connections including elbows, tees and vertical standpipes.
- Slowly turn water back on and test spigot operation before insulating cover installation.
- Finish by placing an insulating spigot cover over the valve (if using) and check regularly.
Key Areas to Insulate
When insulating wall hydrants, it's crucial to wrap all components exposed to exterior cold. This includes:
- Entire valve body and working components
- Incoming and outgoing pipe runs
- Backflow preventer assemblies (if present)
- All pipe fittings including elbows and tees
- Any vertical extensions or standpipes
Pay special attention to pipe connections and fittings. These small gaps are easy to overlook but quickly conduct surface cold inside to freeze water. Cover them completely and seal insulation edges to keep winter winds out.
Inspecting Your Work
After insulation installation, operate the hydrant valve from full open to full closed. Ensure the handle moves freely without catching and that water flows properly. Lightly spray insulation with water checking for leaks at seams or gaps.
If using a faucet cover, test it for secure fit and drainage provisions. Finally, verify insulation clearance allows the cover to fit properly without pressing into pipe wrap underneath.
Extra Tips For Protecting Outdoor Faucets
In addition to insulation, a few extra precautions boost hydrant protection for cold winters:
Install Frost-Proof Fixtures
Frost-proof sillcocks have long inlet pipes that extend below the frost line where ground stays above freezing all winter. While not always feasible, they offer maximum protection against frozen pipes.
Disconnect Hoses
Ensure all outdoor hoses are disconnected and drained by late fall. Water trapped inside can freeze, expand, and rupture the hose or spigot fittings.
Consider Heat Lamps
For extremely exposed pipes on northern facing walls, supplemental heat may be needed. Outdoor-rated heat lamps direct warmth onto vulnerable areas to maintain above freezing temps.
Inspect Annually
Check wall hydrant insulation yearly for rips, gaps, or deterioration that exposes the pipe. Replace compromised sections immediately to avoid frozen disasters.
Insulating external faucets and supply pipes is a crucial step when winterizing your home's plumbing system. Take time each fall to ensure all outdoor taps and hydrants are properly wrapped and protected.
A modest investment in quality insulation now prevents thousands in flood damage later. Ensuring your outdoor water fixtures stay functional all winter long saves money, frustration, and major home disasters.
Follow the key steps outlined above to keep exterior sillcocks and wall hydrants working properly despite the freezing conditions outside. Don't leave them as an afterthought in your seasonal maintenance routine!