A Guide To Installing A New Backyard Water Spigot
If you have an extensive backyard, and are tired of dragging the hose from the front of the house or even from a back spigot, you should think about installing a second spigot somewhere in the remote area of your yard. This way, you won't have to worry about the length of your hoses and the hassle that comes from storing a long garden hose to keep it from freezing or from getting damaged. It's a pretty simple job if you're used to DIY home improvement, but if you're a newbie, you'll need the help of a plumbing service.
The Water Source
First, you'll need an accessible water source that will feed into your underground line. Usually, this line comes from the house, even if you already have a backyard spigot already installed. The existing spigot already feeds from the house. Have a plumber come to assess your water lines, and choose a line that is bigger for better water flow, like a 3/4 inch cold water supply line. You'll need to add a coupling to the line that diverts water from the existing flow and outside. If you have a cement basement, you should leave this step to the professionals, because it may require drilling an exit point for the new line. If water goes into a water softener or treatment center at your home, be sure to divert water from the system before it is treated.
Running The Trench
After the new line has been attached and threaded out of the house, it's time to bury it below ground so that the water line can be protected from external damage, and so that it won't be in the way of your lawn. You'll need to dig a trench to bury the line. Remember to always call your utility companies and have your plumber check out the backyard and mark the places where existing pipelines are, as you'll have a bigger project on your hands if you accidentally hit or break one.
The trench does not have to be very deep, just deep enough so that the grass can grow over the area without interfering with the pipeline—so about half a foot. Lay the water line in the trench, making sure it is securely connected to the home water supply. Even though rigid pipes are used indoors, you can use flexible hose for this, as it expands and contracted easily in changing temperature and does require cutting or fittings. Leaks are less likely to occur with an unbroken line.
Keep the water turned off for now. Leave several feet of hose exposed at the far end so that you have plenty to work with. You will fill in the trench after you're certain everything is working properly.
The End Results
Finally, it is time to mount the new faucet on a post in the spot the most convenient for you. Connect the pipeline to the spigot and test the system to make sure it works. Even if you were comfortable doing this whole process yourself, you still call a local plumbing company to inspect the new system, as there are flow guidelines and safety regulations that all homes most follow. Also, if you live in an area with winters that freeze the ground, you will also need to make sure your plumber installs a blow out valve that will allow you to empty the system of water each fall to prevent the pipeline from bursting underground and causing flooding in your home.
This weekend project can leave you with a much more convenient water spigot in your backyard. If it's the right project for you, don't hesitate to call a plumber who can point you in the right direction.