Signs your outdoor tap needs work
- Drips keep coming after the handle is shut.
- Water inside the basement near the tap's wall after use.
- A handle that spins without closing.
- Little or no flow after winter.
Why hose bibs fail here
Ontario winters freeze water left in the line. A connected hose holds water in even a frost-free bib, and the freeze cracks the pipe out of sight in the wall. The damage shows up in spring, the first time the tap opens and water pours into the ceiling below.
How we repair or replace it
- We check the inside shut-off and the line feeding the tap.
- Worn washers or stems are replaced on serviceable taps.
- Split or old taps are replaced with frost-free models, sloped to drain.
- The inside shut-off valve is replaced if it does not close fully.
- We test for leaks inside and outside the wall.
What moves the bill
Access from inside matters most. A tap with an open basement ceiling behind it is simple; one behind a finished wall needs an access opening. Brick or stone exterior walls take more care than siding.
Worth asking
Ask whether the new tap is frost-free and how long its stem is. Ask whether a vacuum breaker is included, which prevents garden water siphoning back into the house.
What callers want to know
Is a frost-free tap safe to leave on all winter?
It is much safer, provided the hose is disconnected so water can drain out of the stem.
When should I shut off the outside tap?
Before the first hard frost, in Mississauga usually around the turn from October to November.