freezing hose bibb?

**charles** · 07-22-2012, 07:46 PM

Has anybody seen or heard of a hose bibb freezing and bursting in the Deep South? I haven't. How far north do you need to go before this becomes a problem?

**Norm Yeager** · 07-22-2012, 08:35 PM

I've seen it happen 125 miles North of you in Greenville, SC.

**Happy Home** · 07-22-2012, 09:11 PM

We get them here which is about 3 hrs north of Greenville, SC.

Here's one that the hose was left on it through the winter

**Joe Adams** · 07-22-2012, 10:44 PM

It doesn't get cold enough for long enough very often but I have seen a hose bib freeze & crack in Houston.

**baltimorean** · 07-22-2012, 10:51 PM

All it really takes is a good deep freeze

**NW Architect** · 07-23-2012, 01:34 AM

New Orleans, when I lived there

**DickRussell** · 07-23-2012, 09:07 AM

It's preventable, especially for that rare freeze down south. When the weather man says a freeze is expected, disconnect the hose, wrap the outside sillcock with bubble wrap, foam packing, or even multiple turns with an old towel. Put a plastic bag over that, tight to the house, and secure it with string. If rain is expected, lean a sheet of something against the house to keep the rain off the assembly. Adding enough R value outside of the metal shifts the temperature profile outward, so heat leaking from inside keeps the valve outside above freezing. This may not work if the supply piping is PEX, as that is not very conductive.

**David Meiland** · 07-23-2012, 09:19 AM

Most people up here have these. http://www.azpartsmaster.com/Product...ver__7336.aspx

**johnny watt** · 07-23-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by charles

Has anybody seen or heard of a hose bibb freezing and bursting in the Deep South? I haven't. How far north do you need to go before this becomes a problem?

Here's a guy in Georgia that had a hose bib freeze:
http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/s...ny+watt+freeze

**aptbldr** · 07-23-2012, 05:43 PM

Yep, when hose-bibb is not finally built sloped-to-drain water from its remote valve-stop.
Typically at such failures, it seems the masons raised end of device to ease its fit thru brick veneer.

**Slaughter Construction Co** · 07-23-2012, 07:37 PM

Your mentioning PEX piping brought this to mind.
I was on a job the other day, where the owner had ask the plumber to add a hose bib to a nearby brick wall. He had simply brought the piping out of the ground and anchored the HB about 12" above the grade. The PEX was sleeved with a piece of pvc pipe to protect against physical damage.
When I ask him about freezing, he replied that it was not necessary as the PEX would expand and not burst.
True, we are in the south, but I still have my doubts about this type installation.
I know that the plumbers like PEX, but I'm an old timer and don't like the spaghetti look.

**dlhunter** · 07-23-2012, 08:07 PM

I would actually think hose bibs freezing would be more prevalent in the south where it is not expected. All you need is freezing temps. In the north things are built with harsh winters in mind.

**slimpickens** · 07-23-2012, 08:31 PM

There's always just installing shut-offs inside the thermal envelope.

**Mbeezo** · 07-23-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by slimpickens

There's always just installing shut-offs inside the thermal envelope.

not sure about everywhere in the south but in New Orleans many houses are raised and the plumbing is often exposed under the entire house. Only place I have ever seen where the water heater is on the outside of the house, often housed in a little shed roof room on the back or side of the house.

**davenorthup** · 07-23-2012, 09:53 PM

This is what we use. Gets the valve into the warm space. Just cannot leave the hose attached in freezing temps...

http://www.accentshopping.com/product.asp?P_ID=152233

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