Those Sneaky Hose Bibs

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Springtime is here and it is time to get the garden hose out and water the lawn, or better yet, wash all that winter grime off of your vehicle. So, you set out to wash the family cars or set a sprinkler and head off to the store. One of your kids comes home and heads down to the basement to their room and yells out, "there is water all over the floor down here!" 

There appears to be no leaky pipes and the cars are washed and lawn sprinkled. Where did the water come from? The standard hose bib is a copper tube up to 12 inches long with a rod running down the center. The rod is attached to the handle and on the other end of the pipe is a rubber stopper that seats against a flange at the end of the pipe. This is where the water flow is actually stopped, up to 12 inches from the outside of the home. Occasionally this bib may be installed at an upward angle, but more commonly the garden hose is left attached during the winter. This causes the water trapped in this pipe to freeze and crack the pipe which does not leak unless the hose bib is functioning.

The best way to test these bibs in the spring is as you turn on the water put your thumb over the outlet of the hose bib. If there is a tremendous amount of pressure and spray, then more then likely there is no leak. It is also prudent to check the basement shortly after turning on the hose bib.

Always be careful and observant when using hose bibs in the spring. If you have an issue, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene at 208-457-1234 to assist and guide you through the insurance and mitigation process.