If anyone has ever had an outdoor faucet in a cold climate, then that person knows what a frozen faucet is like. Simply stated they are miserable! Advancements in technology have done the impossible and has created a frostproof faucet for the whole world to enjoy (or at least the ones in colder climates). This is solely a cold weather condition and those of you whom live in hot climates will probably never feel the pain of a frozen pipe.
How does an outdoor faucet work An outdoor faucet is usually a pipe of either metal or plastic that usually sticks straight out from the wall outside. This of course is a design that has worked for decades - of course we have had broken pipes for decades as well. The problem is in the basic design. When you have a flow of water that moves through the tubing in an effort to get out of the ground, you have a lot of pressure. Pressure is what tells that water to get a move on and get the heck out. Of course, we rarely think of what happens when we turn the flow of water off. That flow of water is stopped by immediate release of pressure behind the water. So where do you think that water all goes This metal or plastic piping is rigid and at leveled to be straight.
Okay, so then why does there need to be a frostproof faucet Well, when it gets cold outside, it freezes. Don't get me wrong, freezing is a good part of winter that hopefully brings a wet spring and a healthier year. Ice, snow, and the cold are a needed part of our ecosystem. However, that water left in the hose and in the tubing after it is turned off lays stagnant inside the devices. When it freezes - if no steps have been taken - the water in a faucet will freeze just like anything else. Unfortunately, as water freezes, it expands. Therefore, that frozen, stagnant water in the hose and tubing expands, but there is no room for growth within this rigid environment. With no where to go, the ice gets takes up more room and eventually breaks through the actual piping. This can lead to disaster.
What will frostproof faucets do for me Frostproof faucets are installed at a slight, downward angle to allow for drainage. Of course, this drainage occurs only when the hose has been removed properly. An attached hose will almost always cause a burst hose, if you are not lucky, it will also cause the pipe's integrity to be damaged.
When you buy frostproof faucets, you are making an investment into your family. Often, a pipe will burst in the cold weather only to be discovered when the weather warms. However, the damage has already been started. Without detection, this break can cause flooding to your home and your property. If you live in cold weather, it is a wise investment to invest in the purchase of frostproof faucets for your home.