Well, spring is here. Or, as I like to call it “Broken Hose Bib Season.” If I had an extra nickel for every hose bib that I’ve changed over the last 30+ years, I would be retired by now. Whether you call it a hose bib, a spigot, or a sill cock, the outdoor water tap on the exterior of your home, where most people attach a hose, needs to be addressed in the fall. Simply dis-attach your hose, each fall, and store it. If you don’t, chances are good that when the temperatures in the winter dip below freezing, come spring, you’ll be dealing with a burst hose bib. The only remedy at that point is to remove the spigot and replace and install a new one. It’s a costly mistake that doesn’t need to happen.
There is a part two to this problem. If you are fortunate enough that you never removed your hose, but your hose bib never burst, there is still a chance that you’ll be calling me or another plumber. If you decide that you want to remove the hose after years of leaving it on, chances are that it has now become one with the hose bib. This is because many hoses connect to the spigot with cheap white metal instead of brass. This causes seizing. And, once again, you’ll need a plumber.
Tip: Every fall, do yourself a favor and save yourself money and a mess by disconnecting, draining and storing your hose. And, when buying a hose, make sure that the connector is made of brass.