How the job runs
- 1Inspectcheck for a split inside the wall by running it and watching the basement side
- 2Shut and drainclose the interior valve and open the outside tap
- 3Replaceinstall a frost-free sillcock with the valve seat inside the heated space
- 4Add backflow protectionfit a vacuum breaker to protect drinking water
- 5Sealcaulk the wall penetration to keep out air and insects
01How they freeze
A standard hose bib has its valve at the outside wall. Water sits in it all winter and freezes. If a hose is left connected, even a frost-free sillcock can trap water and split. The damage shows up months later.
Many Scarborough houses still have the original outside tap with a separate shut-off on the basement ceiling that nobody remembers to close.
| Frost-free design | The valve sits well inside the wall where it stays warm |
|---|---|
| Fall routine | Disconnect hoses before the first hard frost |
| Spring check | Watch inside the first time you run it |
02Frost-free upgrade
A frost-free sillcock moves the shut-off well inside the heated basement. It drains itself when closed, as long as the hose is off and it is installed with a slight slope.
03Protecting drinking water
A hose left in a bucket of fertiliser or a pool can siphon back into the house supply. A vacuum breaker prevents that.
04Garden irrigation
Irrigation systems connected to the outdoor tap need their own backflow preventer and winter blow-out. We can add a dedicated tap and valve for the system so the hose bib stays simple.