Before you use your hose to water your lawn and garden this spring, take a little time to check the outdoor faucet, which is also known as a spigot or hose bib. Freezing temperatures can damage the faucet, which can lead to additional problems, both outside and inside your house.
A leak, even a small one, can cause you to waste water. That can make your bills higher than they should be. In addition, a leak can damage drywall, insulation, flooring and other structural components in your house, as well as your belongings. Moisture can also lead to mold, which can have serious health ramifications for your family.
How to Check for a Leak     Â
It’s fairly easy to find out if there’s a problem. If there is, you might need to enlist the help of a professional to identify the source of the issue and figure out how to address it.
You might have closed an indoor valve to your outdoor faucet before temperatures dropped in the fall. If so, turn on the valve and look for signs of a leak around the pipe, as well as water damage on the walls or ceiling in your basement.
Next, go outside and conduct a visual inspection of the area around the spigot. Check the walls near the outdoor faucet for signs of moisture damage, such as water stains, condensation, mold, or mildew.
Covering the spigot on your outdoor faucet can help you figure out the water pressure is at the right level. Place your thumb or palm over the hose bib and turn on the water. The pressure should be high enough to keep you from blocking the water with your thumb or palm.
If you can keep water from escaping from the spigot, that means the pressure isn’t as high as it should be. A pipe might be cracked, and water might be leaking somewhere. That can cause significant damage to your house.
While the water is flowing, check the wall underneath the spigot. If you notice a leak, the faucet might just require minor repairs, or the issue might be much more serious.
Get Help From a Local Plumber
If you discover signs of a problem, you’ll have to find the source of the issue and have it repaired as soon as possible, before your home suffers major water damage. It can be difficult to locate the site of a leak.
Even if you can find it, you probably shouldn’t try to make repairs yourself. If you don’t have the appropriate training and tools and you make a mistake, you can wind up causing even more problems. Leave plumbing repairs to a qualified professional. A local plumber can identify the cause of the problem and make repairs.
