Love Your Yard? Extend Outdoor Faucets Without the Work

Dragging hoses across yards to reach gardens or wash cars is an annoyance many homeowners face. But with some DIY skills, you can conveniently extend outdoor faucets closer to high-traffic areas without the hassle or expense of hiring a plumber.

Adding new outdoor water sources is a straightforward project using basic tools and materials from your local hardware store.

Gather Essential Supplies for the Faucet Extension Project

Extending an outdoor faucet requires several key items to connect new water lines and install additional taps. Before starting, assemble tools and parts to have on hand:

Tools

• Trench shovel for digging trenches
• Pipe wrenches to loosen and tighten fittings
• Hack saw for cutting pipe
• Hammer for driving stakes or tapping fittings
• Power drill for drilling into walls or posts (optional)

Plumbing Components

• Flexible polyethylene pipes for running water lines underground between faucets
• Rigid galvanized steel or copper pipes for above-ground connectors
• Elbow and tee joints for connecting pipe segments
• Adaptors to link pipes, valves, and hose bibbs
• Shut-off valves for regulating water flow
• Exterior hose bibb as the new outdoor faucet

Other Essential Supplies

• Gravel for laying underground pipe sections
• Concrete mix to stabilize the new hose bibb
• Teflon thread seal tape to prevent leaks
• Hose clamps for securing hoses to connectors

How to Extend an Outdoor Faucet in 5 Steps

With the right gear and some DIY know-how, installing additional outdoor faucets is totally doable. Follow these key steps:

Step 1: Turn Off Main Water Supply & Disconnect Existing Outdoor Faucet

Start by locating the shut-off valve for your home's main water supply line. Use the appropriate sized pipe wrench to turn the valve completely off. This prevents water from gushing out when you disconnect the initial outdoor faucet next.

Loosen the flange connecting the existing exterior faucet to the water line using a pipe wrench, then unscrew the faucet completely from the exterior wall.

Step 2: Dig Trench between Faucet Locations

Use a trench shovel, pick axe, or post hole digger to carve a 1-2 foot deep trench running from the initial faucet location to where you want to position the new one. The trench should follow a gradual downhill grade for proper drainage.

Make sure to call 811 beforehand in the United States to get underground utility lines marked so you don't accidentally dig into one!

Step 3: Install Pipes & Connections from Main Faucet to New One

Lay a 1/2 to 3/4 inch polyethylene pipe in the bottom of the trench, using gravel to cover the pipe and elbow/tee joints linking segments.

Use galvanized steel pipe and adaptors to reconnect the end of the polyethylene pipe to the main water supply line and existing faucet. The galvanized steel transitions stiffly from below ground to above.

Before threading pipe pieces together, wrap threaded ends with 2-3 layers of Teflon tape to prevent leaks. Tighten joints firmly using pipe wrenches.

Step 4: Install Additional Outdoor Faucet

Place the new hose bibb exterior faucet at the far end of the polyethylene pipe in the trench. Extend the remaining galvanized steel pipe to connect the hose bibb adaptor.

Position the faucet upright and brace it in place with gravel poured around the base. Fill the remainder of the trench in with additional gravel.

Mix concrete to pour around the hose bibb, embedding it in a sturdy concrete block extending to ground level. Let concrete fully cure before using the new faucet.

Step 5: Backfill Trench and Reconnect Main Water Supply

Once all joints are tightly secured and inspected for leaks, fill in the remainder of the trench with soil, grading smoothly to ground level.

Lastly, head back inside and slowly turn the main water supply back on. Check newly installed connectors for drips or leaks.

Get the Most Out of Your Extended Outdoor Faucet

Completing this project opens up convenience and possibilities for better yard enjoyment:

• Install landscape irrigation systems more easily able to reach all garden beds.
• Set up outdoor kitchens or entertainment areas with accessible water.
• Attach multiple hoses simultaneously for washing cars, pets, gear, etc.
• Prevent pipes from freezing by installing interior shut-off valves.

With some planning and elbow grease, you can tap into added exterior water access and freedom through faucet extension projects. No more hoses stretched acres across lawns!

Choosing the Right Location

When deciding where to position the new faucet, look for a spot that's easily accessible, close to the garden, and not too far from the main water source. The area should be level and free of obstacles like trees, rocks, or utility lines that could get in the way of installation.

You'll need to dig a 1-2 foot deep trench running from the initial faucet to the location of the new faucet. Make sure to call 811 beforehand in the United States to get underground utility lines marked before you start digging. The trench walls should be vertical, with a gradually sloped bottom for drainage.

The hose bibb faucet will insert directly into the open trench. Brace it in place with drainage gravel poured around the base before embedding in a concrete anchor for maximum stability.