Don't get a burst!! Isolate the outside tap for winter

Not just a reminder to turn off the valve to your outside tap for winter but also the reason why it can still burst even though it is switched off and lagged.
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[@cliffcarlo180]

Hi Al It must be over 25yrs ago now that I installed my very first outside garden tap. During this very first tap installation, I decided to install an isolation valve on the inside so I could isolate the supply during the winter, for obvious reasons. I also made sure that I had a short run on the outside running down to the tap. This I guessed would then enable the tap to be drained of water from the tap down to the isolation valve, to remove the risk of freezing. A friend at the time, who happened to be a plumber, said this was wrong as chemicals could possibly now be siphoned back (when using a garden hose) and contaminate my water supply. Well, I left it as it was and I am so glad to learn from you Al that I have been doing it right for all these years. Some plumber he was Eh! :-)

[@dereton33]

You get all sorts. Al.

[@cliffcarlo180]

You most certainly do Al lol

[@eddyvideostar]

+Cliff Carlo Cliff: You are correct. You need to consider the freezing of the pipes as this will take on more significance in the very cold weather rather than any chemical siphoning aspect. The philosophy of plumbers, or certain contractors, is that they capitalize from people's disasters. Why would plumbers be helping individuals in order to doom their own business? Why would a financial planner tell you to pay down your debt and copulate himself of funds which he could have managed procuring a larger percentage for himself? A salesman is the worse teacher. An educated consumer is ONE'S own best customer.

[@Pithead]

I'd squirt some expanding foam in that gap. Cheers for all your plumbing videos. Some of them have helped me out already.

[@HoudalothAli]

I have an outside that has never busted in 27 years. But it is a dripping tap. There is little water that comes of it. I may need to check the valves though.

[@nowthenad3286]

Well, the property that we moved into a few years back had a severe case of the "taboo" configuration with the pipe going uphill to the tap. It finally burst this summer; fortunately, the isolation tap was closed. BUT here is my question, is there any need to close the isolation valve if you use plastic piping. I have installed another tap the way you recommend but I have done it with speedfit and I don't ever close the isolation valve. I have had that installed for years now and I have never had any problems. It freezes and then it thaws. I read somewhere that plastic pipe can expand and so prevents bursts. Am I right to trust that claim?

[@dereton33]

Yes you should be fine now.

[@TavsIsAbout]

Hi Al. I want to add an isolator valve to a pipe that leads to an external tap. It’s a 15mm pipe. There’s a length of about 30 cm of pipe that would be the best place to fit the valve. Just wondering how much length of pipe should I cut out to fit the valve?

[@dereton33]

Just measure the length of the valve and cut 30 mm shorter than it's length . Pipe usually enters the fitting 15 mm.

[@bonypp]

Hi Dereton , I have the similar faucet like this one at the back of the kitchen . I have no isolation valve as it’s behind the kitchen sink and into the wall . I only have the main stopcock. I use a hair dryer to unfreeze the faucets including the one in the front of the house .The front one does not have a isolation valve either ( no protruding pipe too as just tap fixed to the wall) and no access to it . I have ordered covers on eBay and using the hairdryer to unfreeze the tap in couple of minutes. I leave tap open before I do it . Would you advice on using the hairdryer method ? as I found it on the internet. Thanks to you .

[@dereton33]

The hairdryer is good or a kettle of boiling water poured over it.

[@connorlumsden3950]

Hi I don't have an isolation for my tap that I can see anyway, if I isolate the mains water for the house under my sink, which is near where the tap is and then switch the outside tap on to drain it and then switch the mains back on would this keep the outside tap pipe clear of water or will it just fill back up when the mains switches on? Hope this makes sense, thanks.

[@dereton33]

The mains would eventually push the air out so no.

[@3laddy]

Tap outside leaking bad freezing up with cold weather arghh ice everywhere what can I do ? How do I isolate tap ? There is a small screw how do I turn ? And how far many thx

[@dereton33]

There should be an isolation valve on the pipe inside the house leading out to the tap. Get a screwdriver and turn the slot so that it faces across the pipe, it is then off.

[@TheBowelsOfLove]

Hi. Do you think that wrapping rags around a pipe and tap would insulate it enough to prevent freezing? I have an outside tap with the upwards pipe to tap and there is no lagging. I've only been in this house since last year and luckily nothing burst last winter but i've been checking it over the past few weeks each time i go into the back garden, expecting a leak each time.

[@dereton33]

***** Yes anything is better than nothing, back in the 60`s as an apprentice plumber I used to lag pipes with newspaper and old rags, tied together with string.

[@cliffcarlo180]

+dereton33 Blimey, Even I remember that stuff called "string" lol

[@rockywr]

@@cliffcarlo180 Very Probably "hairy string" as well.

[@21stcenturycaveman33]

Good thinking Al. Nearly forget that one. ATB

[@user-ns7vj4tz5h]

Good morning i have a tap in garden and the water is constantly dripping from tap. I have never used my garden tap and therefore i want to isolate it but unfortunately i can't find my isolation tap. I have checked underneath the kitchen sink but there is No pipe and valve for garden tap. Please advise me. Many Thanks.

[@dereton33]

There is no need to turn the water off if it is leaking from the packing gland nut, as shown in the video. If you want to turn the water off because the tap is leaking from the washer letting by, then you will have to turn your main stopcock off.

[@user-ns7vj4tz5h]

@@dereton33 The water is dripping from inside the hole of the tap... But i can't find the isolation valve. One of my friend told me might be their is no valve for the garden tap because it's coming from the main line.

[@dereton33]

You will have to turn your water main off, stopcock is usually under the sink.

[@user-ns7vj4tz5h]

@@dereton33 Yes i have checked under the sink but there is No valve. There is only one pipe for both washing machine and garden tap so if i close the valve than it will be close for both..

[@dereton33]

Yes.

[@dublinpipe4030]

Hello from Dublin Ireland thank you again again 👍🧔🏻

[@dereton33]

Our pleasure!

[@susie2shoes]

Great video. Just done all that you have suggest. Thank you.

[@dereton33]

No problem.

[@johnnybrew1]

Thanks for this reminder, Al.

[@byronmasters5512]

Great video. Really helpful.

[@dereton33]

Byron Masters No problem, Byron. Al.

[@jamiedavidmiller]

Bit random, but just saw you on the extreme weather program!! Haha :)

[@dereton33]

Jamie Miller Yeh, it seems i am popping up everywhere these days. Al.

[@tonywhite1952]

Nice one al good presentation first class

[@leemilsom3149]

Am positive I soo you on tv last night.... British weather program or somthing you poped on tv when I was flicking though the channels lol I was like I know him from somewere lol was bugging me hehe

[@dereton33]

Lee Milsom Yeh, im popping up every where these days. Ha ha.

[@amana1480]

I think even better is to come straight out of the wall into a brass wall plate and tap, so you just see the tap, no pipework eposed outside.

[@dereton33]

Yes they are a good idea.

[@cliffcarlo180]

+Aman A It may indeed look better, but tell me Aman, how would we drain the feed pipe in preparation for winter?

[@amana1480]

+Cliff Carlo well. I have a valve on the inside in my cupboard that cuts off the supply to the garden tap. so you close the inside valve and open the outside valve/tap. hope that helps

[@amana1480]

+Aman A but to be honest I have this setup but I have never bothered actually doing this as I have never found a problem with a garden tap freezing in 30 years, but I am surrounded by other houses and plants etc gardens that probably keep the air warm than if I was a house by itself in a field

[@cliffcarlo180]

Never mind LLAP Mon Ami

[@honolulu1476]

Thanks for the video.

[@amana1480]

good video