hose bib

Hidden Danger Ahead: Do You KNOW Your Outside Faucet Didn’t Freeze Last Winter?

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Spring is here and any minute people are going to start watering lawns and topping off swimming pools on an almost constant basis.

Here in our lovely state of Texas, temps rise rapidly and stay that way for protracted lengths of time. As such, we are fighting a never-ending battle against the elements to keep things from drying out.

Plano, TX homeowners, beware the hidden danger within those walls if your hose-bib has burst last winter.

Many people are about to open up their hose-bibs (outside faucets) for the first time of the year.

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Hosed: Outside Faucet Crisis

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Hosebib Summer time is here and most of us have begun watering our lawns, washing our vehicles, and catching up on landscaping projects. Some of us are finding out quickly that this winter’s hard freeze is still reeking havoc on our home’s plumbing systems.

Some of the most common instances of pipes bursting due to a hard freeze are ironically the most preventable. A burst pipe in a wall can cause a lot of damage along with a huge mess in a hurry. Outside faucets (hose bibs) are the most vulnerable fixture in a home due to freezing. They invariably protrude from outside walls and most people will not discover that they froze up until the following spring.

Outside faucets must be frost-proof in order to be up to code. The washer that closes the valve seats up against an opening must be placed far enough back so that the water doesn’t get near the outside where it can freeze, bursting the pipe due to expansion.  [Read more…] about Hosed: Outside Faucet Crisis

Plumbing Woes Can Ruin Your Holiday Fun

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With the onset of fall, we want to remind you that we are heading for the inevitable colder weather! Don’t let freezing water catch you by surprise. North Texas typically won’t freeze over for a couple more weeks, so we’ve got time to take some preventative measures that can save a lot of money in the long run.

  • Now is the time to make sure you don’t have any leaking hose bibs. (outdoor faucets)
  • Remember to remove your hoses before a freeze to prevent costly repairs.
  • Styrofoam caps or other covering will protect your hose bib from cracking under a freeze.
  • Leave your pool running before, during, and just after a freeze.
  • Consider getting your waste lines cleaned out before holiday entertaining.

Enjoy your beautiful autumn days, and take advantage of this friendlier time of year to get around your house and check out the state of things. Get a game plan together so you’re not caught off guard when it gets nasty outside!

Related Article: Plumbing Woes Can Ruin Your Holiday Fun