Looking to upgrade your outdoor water access? Instead of the usual garden hose spigot, try a house hydrant. It’s a handy, frost-resistant option that makes connecting your hose simple, especially in colder climates where freezing can be an issue.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through installing a house hydrant. Plus, in the video above, Richard Trethewey from Ask This Old House shows you how to swap out a leaky outdoor spigot for a new house hydrant.
Why Choose a House Hydrant?
House hydrants—also known as frost-free hydrants—offer several perks over standard outdoor faucets:
- Sleek design: Many models have a low-profile look that blends right into your home’s exterior.
- Easy connection: They make attaching your garden hose simple and hassle-free.
- Freeze protection: Designed to prevent freezing, so you can use them all year round.
- Fewer leaks: When installed properly, they’re less likely to leak than traditional spigots.
Types of House Hydrants
There are various types of house hydrants available, each suited to different needs and preferences. These include:
- Standard frost-free hydrants: Designed to prevent freezing during colder months, these hydrants feature a long stem that keeps the water supply deep below the frost line. When you turn it off, water drains from the pipe, preventing it from freezing and cracking.
- Recessed hydrants: These—like the one Trethewey uses in our video—are more discreet and feature a removable key for operation instead of a handle.
- Sanitary yard hydrants: Built with a focus on cleanliness, often featuring a design that prevents contaminants from entering the water supply. If you have a farm on your property or use your water for livestock or irrigation, this type of hydrant will keep your water safe and sanitary.
- Self-draining hydrants: Similar to frost-free hydrants, self-draining hydrants automatically drain the water from the pipe after use, preventing standing water from freezing within the hydrant. This feature makes them highly reliable and low-maintenance, so you don’t need to remember to turn the water off.
- Lockable hydrants: Equipped with a locking mechanism that allows homeowners to control access and prevent unauthorized use. This added security feature is particularly beneficial in public or shared spaces, where controlling water usage and preventing vandalism is a concern.
Preparing for Hydrant Installation
Before diving in, gather all the tools and materials you’ll need and take some safety precautions.
Tools and Materials Needed
- House hydrant kit
- Pipe cutter
- Emery cloth
- Screwdriver
- Oscillating saw
- Silicone caulk
- Torch
- Solder
- Copper pipe and fittings
- Wrench set
Safety First
Turn off the main water supply before you start. To avoid any mishaps, always wear safety glasses and gloves when cutting pipes or using power tools. Work in a well-ventilated area when soldering. If you’re unsure about any part of the process, it’s best to consult a professional plumber.
The Proper Depth for Hydrant Installation
House hydrants work properly when they’re buried at the right depth. The hydrant needs to be installed below your area’s frost line to prevent freezing. Generally, the frost line ranges from six inches in warmer climates to 48 inches or more in colder regions. Consult your local building codes or a professional plumber to find the appropriate depth for your area.
Installing the hydrant at the correct depth ensures:
- Protection against freezing
- Proper drainage
- Optimal functionality year-round
- Compliance with local building codes
Effective Drainage
Proper drainage also helps increase the longevity and improve the performance of your house hydrant. Installing the hydrant at a slight angle promotes drainage and prevents water from sitting inside the pipe. This helps ward off frost and reduces the risk of damage due to frozen water.
Choosing the Right Pipe for Your House Hydrant
How you connect the hydrant depends on your home’s plumbing. Common pipe materials include:
- Copper: Durable and resistant to corrosion.
- Galvanized steel: Strong but may corrode over time.
- Polyethylene: Flexible and resistant to freezing.
- PVC: Affordable and easy to install, but not suitable for all climates.
Each pipe material has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. For instance, copper pipes are known for their durability and corrosion resistance but are more expensive. PVC pipes, on the other hand, are affordable and easy to install yet aren’t suitable for areas with extreme temperature fluctuations. Weighing these factors and consulting with a professional can help you make an informed decision.
Step-by-Step Hydrant Installation Process
Follow these steps carefully to install your new house hydrant:
- Clean the cut point downstream of the water supply valve with an emery cloth.
- Cut the pipe with a pipe cutter—be ready for some excess water to drain out.
- Remove the old outdoor spigot by unscrewing it with a screwdriver.
- Outline the new hydrant head on the siding using a pencil.
- Cut out the outlined portion of the siding using an oscillating saw to fit the new hydrant head.
- Insert the new pipe and house hydrant head into the hole in the siding. If it gets stuck partway through, take a scrap piece of wood and push it against the hydrant, then tap it through with a hammer.
- Apply a bead of silicone caulking around the hydrant head, then secure it with screws.
- Place the operating bar inside the pipe, checking that the O-ring is seated correctly at the edge of the pipe.
- Connect the spring with a new piece of copper pipe by soldering them together away from the new hydrant head pipe.
- Solder the remaining copper pipe connection back to the main water supply.
- Turn the water back on and check for leaks or issues.
It’s helpful to have an extra set of hands during the installation to hold components steady or assist with aligning parts. Taking your time to double-check connections and verifying that everything is tightly secured can help prevent leaks and future repairs.
Connecting Hydrant to Existing Plumbing
When you install a house hydrant, you’ll need to connect it to your home’s existing water supply. This process depends on your current plumbing setup. Below are a few examples of the steps you’ll need to take according to your piping:
Connecting to Copper Pipes
If your home has copper pipes, you’ll need to:
- Clean the pipe ends with an emery cloth.
- Apply flux to the pipe ends and fittings.
- Heat the joint with a torch and apply solder for a watertight seal.
- Allow the joint to cool before testing.
Connecting to PVC Pipes
For homes with PVC plumbing:
- Use PVC primer and cement to join pipes and fittings.
- Check that all connections are properly aligned before the cement sets.
- Allow sufficient drying time before testing the system.
What Will Installing a House Hydrant Cost?
The cost of installing a house hydrant depends on several factors. We recommend collecting estimates from at least three plumbers if you need to hire one. Here’s a quick cost breakdown:
- House hydrant unit: Around $150*.
- Installation labor: Plumbers charge between $45 and $65 per hour on average.
While do-it-yourself (DIY) installation can save on labor costs, you must make sure you install your house hydrant properly. Otherwise, it will end up costing you more to repair water damage or freezing issues if it malfunctions because of an error.
*Cost data in this section sourced from Angi.
Other Cost Factors
Aside from the price of the hydrant and labor, there are a few more things that affect the cost of your installation, including:
- Repairs or replacements: If your plumbing or siding needs work, factor that into your budget.
- Permits and inspections: Check if your local laws require any permits or inspections—they might come with fees.
- Professional consultation: Consulting with a professional can help avoid potential issues. Some plumbers charge for this consultation.
