View Full Version : Plumbing Puzzle
Jumpstart
06-08-2013, 06:20
I have an outside spigot/faucet problem. When water is turned on, it flows
out of my wall (outside) from behind the spigot itself. Water also flows from
spigot simultaneously. When spigot is turned off it does not appear to leak
outside or inside my house. It is copper tubed and my concern is tearing into
my house to fix it. The spigot was used like 2 times after my house was built before this started.[Rant1] Any ideas troubleshooters? Also, anyone in Teller county know a good plumber?
flyingcouch
06-08-2013, 06:34
The faucet is a "frost proof" faucet. It has about 12" of pipe attached to it and the shut off valve is actually 12" inside of the house. It is supposed to be installed with a slight downward pitch so the water drains out of the 12" section when it is shut off. I would guess it was installed with an upward pitch. The water did not drain out and it froze between the shutoff and the exposed faucet part. When the water froze the pipe burst. They unscrew from the outside. The new one needs to have a downward pitch to drain the water. May need to do a little work on the outside finish (siding, brick....). Should be a fairly easy job for you if you a little ambitious. remember to shut the water off in the house before you take it off.
http://www.hardwareworld.com/Stainless-steel-Antisiphon-Frostpf-Wall-Faucet-8-pKZR0UG.aspx?gclid=CO-q0p271LcCFYFhMgodJQUAJg
Many are soldered on. If basement is finished, may need to cut hole in ceiling to locate.
I was going to reply, but flyingcouch nailed it.
O2
rockhound
06-08-2013, 10:14
you got it,
that your problem right there
Byte Stryke
06-08-2013, 10:28
The faucet is a "frost proof" faucet. It has about 12" of pipe attached to it and the shut off valve is actually 12" inside of the house. It is supposed to be installed with a slight downward pitch so the water drains out of the 12" section when it is shut off. I would guess it was installed with an upward pitch. The water did not drain out and it froze between the shutoff and the exposed faucet part. When the water froze the pipe burst. They unscrew from the outside. The new one needs to have a downward pitch to drain the water. May need to do a little work on the outside finish (siding, brick....). Should be a fairly easy job for you if you a little ambitious. remember to shut the water off in the house before you take it off.
http://www.hardwareworld.com/Stainless-steel-Antisiphon-Frostpf-Wall-Faucet-8-pKZR0UG.aspx?gclid=CO-q0p271LcCFYFhMgodJQUAJg
I Concur...
and if you choose to DIY use a level and ensure a slight downgrade away from the house.
http://www.cshardware.com/kp-350.html?gclid=CPKnrujs1LcCFWIV7AodwmIAjw
or else you are going to be doing it again in the spring. You may have to actually raise the plumbing tacks inside to accomplish this. BE VERY CAREFUL not to move it too far as this may damage the copper pipe. a long gradual is better than short
You guys don't think it could be the infamous o-ring? Sometimes they can be fixed just by removing the stem and replacing the o-rings no?
O-rings and seals have no effect on leaking behind spigot.
BushMasterBoy
06-08-2013, 12:26
Same thing happened to me. Brand new house , 2 years old. Like a dumbass I left a hose on the spigot, during a freeze. Water was coming out under the stucco. I got in the crawl space and found the copper pipe had a split on the side. The copper is connected to Pex hose. I was real careful and used pliers to to close the gap from the split. Then I sanded the split clean with plumbers tape,then wire brush the split. Propane torch, flux and soldered the split. If you weren't so far away, I'd come and fix it for you. I used to do a lot of solar hot water systems in Florida...lots of work when the temps drops to 28F!
Jumpstart
06-08-2013, 21:18
Thanks gentlemen for some great enlightenment. It is the model 17 that flyingcouch linked. I guess the $64,000 question is can I unscrew the 12" piece off from the outside, and put another one on or is it soldered. Either way, sounds like I have to punch a hole in my wall to get the downgrade away from the house. I really hope it isn't soldered.....
The ones I've installed have always been soldered on. Your gonna have to cut a hole in the ceiling anyways to use a backup wrench if it is screwed in anyways..
Cut a hole in the ceiling and see if its soldered or screwed.
Byte Stryke
06-09-2013, 04:09
Sounds like you are doing drywall work either way
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