Friday, April 1st, 2016

Exterior Faucets – Did yours weather winter weather?

For the past few years, we’ve been having mulch delivered from a local high school football team. The football players deliver it to our back yard. Go, team! Our point here is that “Mulch Arrival Day” (a.k.a. “Mulch Madness”) is our big cue to turn on the exterior sill faucets for the spring/summer/fall months.

Check for Leaks/Loose Connections
Over winter, leaks can develop in the water lines and connections that feed outside spigots. In our case, a relief plug in the line came loose an caused a leak when we opened the valve to the sill faucet. It was a simple matter to tighten it up, but had we not been diligent in our inspections, it could have caused a significant water loss and damage in our basement area.

Remember to check for burst pipes, especially if the exterior faucet remained on/undrained during the freezing months.

Understand burst faucets in less than 30 seconds
Woodford Manufacturing, a popular brand of exterior faucets (a.k.a. sill cocks and hose bibs, in plumber-speak), has an brief video that illustrates the mechanics of frozen pipes. Watch video now

New exterior faucets – Add style and modern technology to your home
Thinking of freshening up your outside landscaping/fixtures? There are several options available in the world of exterior faucets. The classic “web” handle version that offers little comfort to your hand or interest to your home’s exterior architecture is the lowest-run on the sill faucet ladder. If you’re ready to spruce up your home’s look while also reducing your seasonal maintenance tasks, several easily affordable options are available.

• Frost-proof faucets – A favorite! Installing a frost-proof exterior faucet means no more remembering to turn off the water in the Fall (followed by your spouse reminding you to turn the water back on again in the Spring). Frost-proof faucets are always ready-to-use,

• Comfort-grip handles – An excellent choice, especially for older homeowners who have challenges gripping and turning handles. Comfort-grip handles are an attractive and ergonomic approach.

• Theme handles – Show you love for nature with popular theme valves. Typically cast in brass, birds and turtles add a wild-life friendly look to your garden area.

• Dual-outlet (with comfort grip) – for homes with limited exterior faucet options, the dual-outlet approach is an easy way to focus your water needs where you need them most.

Learn more, Call Allied Reddi-Rooter today!
Upgrading your exterior faucets to a better design can greatly improve your outdoor experience. The plumbing professionals at Allied Reddi-Rooter have access to professional-grade styles and innovations that are not always available at the big-box stores. Plus, a quick consultation with a pro can help you choose a style and type that best fits your home’s “look” and your outdoor needs. Call  or Contact Ray for a free estimate. 513.396.5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.