Did you know that on the first warm day of spring, when it’s finally time to turn on the garden hose and water those newly planted flowers or wash the car, you could be at risk of a damaging water leak?
Sillcocks, or the outdoor water spigots attached to the exterior of a house, can freeze, crack and split during cold winter weather. If garden hoses were not disconnected when temps dipped below 32*F, trapped water might have frozen and expanded, developing cracks in the sillcock. As ice thaws, the pipe may leak – and the results could be disastrous if not caught quickly.
Signs of sillcock trouble
If there is low pressure at the end of the hose, or if you notice wet ceilings, wet walls or water coming from an unknown source, it’s time to check for water trouble. When the faucet is shut off and there is no sound of running water, a cracked sillcock may be the culprit.
Suggestions for spring
Have someone inside to check around when the faucet is turned on for the first time this spring. This way, it will be easier to quickly pinpoint problems.
Solutions for water leaks
If a cracked sillcock is causing a water leak, simply turn off the faucet to prevent further damage. It’s usually not necessary to turn off the home’s water supply as you would for other leaks. Always have frozen sillcocks replaced as soon as you discover them – it is likely that if they are not fixed immediately, you will accidentally use them again in the future and have another water accident.
