Checking For Outdoor Hose Leaks

While there is a kernel of truth that April showers bring May flowers, your garden will still require some watering from time to time. In order to provide that water, many homeowners rely on their outdoor faucets and a hose. A leaking outdoor faucet could put your plants in jeopardy, but excess water damage could be dangerous for your house.

Throughout the winter, there may have been some damage to your outdoor faucet, which is also called a hose bibb. Freezing temperatures can cause your bibb to crack, and if that isn’t caught soon enough, you could have a problem worse than a leak. 

Checking for a leak won’t be too hard, and it is something that you will want to do before drenching your garden early this spring. First, cover the spigot with your thumb completely, and then turn on the water. If the water pressure is too much to hold, then your spigot should be alright. But if you can hold the water in with your hand, it could mean that there is a crack in the pipes and water may leak somewhere.

A leak along the line could be difficult to locate, and maybe more difficult to fix. Whether it is just some components of the bibb, the pipes leading to the bibb, or the entire structure, this is usually a job for a professional plumber. Depending on the damage, you may get away with some repairs, or you may need a full replacement.

After ensuring that your outdoor faucet is in good condition, you can continue with all of your outdoor chores and garden care. But be sure next year, and each year thereafter, to inspect your bibb at the beginning of the season to check for any leaks. 

Guarantee that when you go out to water your garden, it is only your garden, and not the pipes in your home, that is getting wet. For more information on checking your hose bibb for leaks, call the professionals at Sunrise Heating and Plumbing today at (616) 293-9326. We pride ourselves in providing nothing but exceptional customer service.