Get Your Garden Summer-Ready with Fergusons Plumbing’s Outdoor Plumbing Tips

Plumbing problems can crop up anywhere in your home, even in outdoor areas. As an experienced Australian plumber, I know how vital proper outdoor maintenance is to ensure smooth water flow and a clean environment. Allow me to share some top-notch outdoor plumbing tips that will undoubtedly make your life easier.

Here are your go-to strategies for fuss-free outdoor plumbing:

• Summer Preparation: Gear up for the hot months by ensuring that your outdoor taps can handle the heat.
• Unclog Outdoor Drains: A clogged outdoor drain can be troublesome; have a reliable solution at hand for those unexpected blockages.
• Septic System Maintenance: Regular checks and upkeep of your septic system can prevent unpleasant surprises.
• Spigots and Hoses Care: Keep your spigots and hoses in prime condition to ensure longevity and efficiency.
• Leak-Free Outdoor Taps: Leak-free taps not only save water but also prevent ground saturation.
• Prevent Pipeline Blockages: Being proactive in preventing pipeline blockages is often easier than repairing them.

Taking these outdoor plumbing tips into consideration and consistently applying them can save you from hassles down the line.

Australian Homeowner’s Guide to Outdoor Plumbing

Maintaining your outdoor plumbing doesn’t have to be a stressful task. With regular attention, potential issues can be identified early and addressed promptly.

Never underestimate the importance of a well-maintained septic system—it’s the backbone of your home’s sanitation and cleanliness.

Last but not least, always remember that preventing a problem in the first place is better than having to deal with it later. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, even when it comes to outdoor plumbing.

Outdoor Tap Tips for Summer Preparations

If you’re considering installing an outdoor tap this summer, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Not only do you need the right tools and materials, but you also need to know how to mount the tap properly.

Mounting the Outdoor Tap

An effective way to mount your outdoor tap is by using a hollow PVC fence post. This can help protect it from harmful sunlight by running the PEX inside the post.

The post should be set deep, at least 18 inches. This will provide stability and keep the structure secure. For added safety, attach a screw-on backflow preventer.

Digging the Trench

Before you start digging the trench for your water line, be sure to call 811. This will help ensure you don’t accidentally damage any buried pipes or cables.

Aim to bury your water line about 6 inches deep. If you’re dealing with soft soil, go a bit deeper – at least 12 inches. Add a bit of soil and pour in some dry concrete mix before backfilling.

Plumbing the Tap

For any exposed plumbing at the house, use copper pipes. They’re durable and resilient, making them perfect for outdoor projects. PEX tubing should be used for underground plumbing.

To attach your PEX tubing to copper lines, solder a transition fitting and crimp the PEX onto the fitting using a crimping tool.

Your Blow-Out System

To prevent freezing in colder months, install a blow-out valve below grade in a gravel pit.

Before the first freeze hits, close the shutoff valve and remove the plug. Connect your air hose, open both the tap and blow-out valve, letting the water drain.

Afterwards, make sure to close just the tap and blow out any remaining water with your compressor. This will help ensure your system stays clear and ready for use when you need it.

Clogged Outdoor Drain Solutions

Outdoor drain blockages can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Identifying the source of the clog is the first step towards effective solutions.

Regular inspection of your drain cover is necessary. Ensure it is free from leaves and any debris that could cause clogs.

1. Check the Drain Cover: Keep it clear of organic matter like leaves and branches to prevent obstructions.
2. Identify Underlying Issues: Nearby trees or plants might be damaging your drain system, leading to blockages.
3. Use a Drain Snake: This tool can reach deep into your drain to break up or remove the clog.
4. Baking Soda and Vinegar: A homemade solution that can dissolve grease or other debris causing the obstruction.
5. Boiling Water: Hot water can help clear minor blockages effectively.
6. Auger or Jetting: If the snake doesn’t work, considering auger or jetting methods might be fruitful.
7. Hire a Professional Plumber: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if DIY solutions fail to resolve your drain issue.
8. Maintain Regularly: Regular maintenance helps prevent future clogs and potential serious damages.

Tackling blockages early on prevents escalation of drain issues. Regular checks are pivotal for a smoothly functioning plumbing system.

If DIY methods prove unsuccessful, don’t hesitate to call in professionals. Your local plumber has specialist knowledge and equipment to address even stubborn clogs.

Remember, regular maintenance is key in preventing significant plumbing issues. It helps you safeguard against future drains blockages and potential costly repairs.

Septic System Maintenance Tips

How Often Should Septic Tanks Be Pumped?

Regular pumping of your septic tanks every three to five years helps maintain its performance and prevent problems. This process can cost on average between $300 and $600.

Why is it Important to Use Water Efficiently?

Avoiding excessive water usage is key to your septic system’s longevity. Additionally, prompt repair of leaky taps and toilets helps in water conservation.

Consider using low-flow fixtures and spread out your laundry loads throughout the week for more efficient use of water.

How Can We Keep Our Drains Clear?

Flushing only biodegradable materials down your toilets is a must. Furthermore, keeping a map of your septic system’s layout can prove handy during maintenance checks.

How Do I Protect My Drainfield?

Avoid driving or parking over the drainfield as this could result in damage. It’s also beneficial to divert rainwater and sump pump water away from the drainfield.

Avoid planting trees or shrubs close to the drainfield; their roots could interfere with the system. It’s essential to maintain a barrier to stop compaction.

Taking Care of Your Spigots and Hoses

To efficiently disconnect a hose, rotate it counter-clockwise.

Rock the hose back and forth to clear any obstructing particles from the spigot threads.

Gently tapping on the spigot with a hammer followed by a WD-40 spray can be beneficial.

Wait a bit before using pliers to release the hose.

• Using heat to your advantage: Apply a hairdryer or heat gun onto the spigot. This helps expand the metal, making it easier to remove the hose.
• Drainage for left-over water: The remaining water will flow out of the hose end and down any slope present.
• Extra protection for hoses: Insulation tubing is a great way to protect your hoses. Just slot it over your hoses and tape up for maximum security from cold weather or potential damages.
• Shut-off valve locations in different home types: These valves are normally found near the front foundation wall, within 3–5 feet of where the main water enters.

Moving down to homes with a crawl space but no basement, you’re likely to find this valve near your water heater or beneath your kitchen sink.

If you have fire sprinklers along with an inside main water meter, be on the lookout for that special second valve.

This particular valve will be located above your main water meter and downstream of your fire sprinkler tee.

• Homes with fire sprinklers and outside main water meters: The 2nd valve is downstream of the fire sprinkler tee.
• No fire sprinklers but an outside water meter: Usually, there is a single valve responsible for turning off the water supply for the entire home.
• Checking its effectiveness: Try to open various taps after closing the main valve to ensure you’ve successfully cut the water supply.
• Pressure relief: Open a tap on the highest level of your home to relieve any pressure.

For optimal protection, use duct tape to tightly secure the insulation tubing’s slit and guard the pipes from damages.

If you feel uneasy and need more security, try wrapping another piece of clothing around the first one.

Keep an eye out to ensure you’ve covered the entire tap properly.

Outdoor Drainage: A Comprehensive Guide

Having an effective outdoor drainage strategy is essential for the long term health of your yard. Here are some top-notch strategies.

Aerate the Soil

Soil compaction restricts water flow. Combat this with aeration – poking holes in the soil using tools like a garden fork or aerator shoes.

This process creates pathways, allowing water and nutrients to reach grass roots effectively, promoting a healthier lawn.

Grade the Yard

Your yard should always slope away from your home. Grading involves adding clay-type soil and directing it away from your property.

This strategy can prevent water pooling or washing into unwanted sections of the yard, safeguarding your home’s foundation.

Dig a French Drain

A French Drain is a series of perforated pipes that prevents water from flowing into your yard. This involves digging a trench and angling the pipes to ensure water flows away.

Covering the trench with materials like gravel or crushed stone can enhance drainage efficiency significantly.

Extend Downspouts

Downspouts divert water far from the house. Flexible and extendable pipes attached directly to your existing downspouts can increase this distance even further, protecting your home from water damage.

Rain barrels are an excellent addition to collecting excess rainwater and preventing pool formation, while also providing a source for watering your garden.

Install a Catch Basin

A catch basin captures water and diverts it into soil, drain emitters or street drains. It functions regardless of soil compaction or saturation levels, making it an adaptable solution for various yard types.

Rain gardens filled with wet-condition-loving plants can help redirect water into the ground, providing a functional and visually pleasant solution.

Consider Material Choices

Hardscape materials such as bricks and concrete can lead to water pooling. Opt for gravel, pebbles or other loose materials that can prevent puddle formation effectively.

Dig a Dry Well

Dry wells hold while draining water into the soil. They can connect to gutter systems, French drains or other drainage strategies, and can employ pop-up drain emitters for high-water situations.

Yard drains collect and direct water into well-draining areas or dry wells. They’re a great solution for lawns with recurring wet spots, but do require excavation.

Ensure Leak-Free Outdoor Taps

Outdoor taps, particularly frost free hose bibs, are designed to provide all-year-round water access. Their build helps prevent pipes from freezing, significantly reducing pipe burst risk.

Frost free outdoor taps have an elongated stem stretching into the house’s warm interiors. This design keeps the valve mechanism insulated and away from freezing temperatures.

1. Made of durable materials, like brass or stainless steel, these taps resist corrosion and withstand harsh weather conditions.
2. Installation requires a slight tilt towards the outdoors to ensure water drains post-use. Although it necessitates cutting through your home’s exterior walls, it prevents damaging frost buildup.
3. The design incorporates a long stem, connecting the outside handle to the interior valve seat. When turned off, the indoor valve halts the water flow and drains remaining water outdoors.

This mechanism stops water from staying in exposed sections of pipe, eliminating any chance of freezing and bursting. These taps serve a crucial function for homeowners needing regular outdoor water access in cold months.

Whether watering greenhouse plants or filling animal troughs, a frost-free tap ensures a reliable source of water while reducing winterisation needs.

Preventing and Treating Unwanted Pipeline Blockages

Unwanted pipeline blockages are a common nuisance. They’re typically caused by chemical deposits, mechanical obstructions, or operational errors.

Scale build-up, wax or asphaltene deposits and hydrate formations are all examples of chemical deposits. These can severely obstruct your pipe’s flow.

Mechanical Obstructions and Operational Errors

Mechanical issues like debris accumulation, pipe wall corrosion, or foreign objects contribute to pipeline blockages. Operational errors such as incorrect cleaning can also lead to problems.

To prevent these issues, regular maintenance is vital. This includes frequent cleaning and continuous monitoring of pipeline conditions.

Prevention Methods

Applying cleaning agents can reduce deposition. Corrosion inhibitors are effective in preventing pipe corrosion. Scheduled pigging is also beneficial for removing debris.

Operational adjustments, like enhanced scheduling and monitoring and proper training for staff, are also key in preventing blockages.

Identification and Location

An important aspect of treatment is identifying the location of a blockage. Pressure monitoring and inline inspection tools can be very helpful.

Non-intrusive techniques such as acoustic sensors for flow detection and infra-red cameras for leak detection are also worthwhile precautions.

Isolation and Removal

Once identified, the blockage needs to be isolated and removed. Techniques include depressurisation, pigging and flushing, or external intervention if necessary.

Cutting out blocked sections or using chemical injection for cleaning may be required in severe cases.

Pipeline health restoration involves remediation techniques such as high-pressure water injection or a coiled tubing insertion.

Maintaining regular maintenance schedules and integrating advanced techniques can go a long way in preventing such problems from reoccurring.

Proactive Maintenance for Smooth Water Flow

Proactive maintenance of outdoor plumbing is crucial to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted water flow. Regular inspection and minor repairs can prevent significant issues.

Build-up of debris and sediment in pipes can cause blockages. Regular cleaning will keep these from hindering your water flow.

Insulating pipes protects them from harsh weather conditions. Pipe insulation also prevents freezing during colder months, securing your water flow.

Routine checks for leaks in taps, hoses, and pipes can help avoid water wastage and potential damage.

Checklist for Proactive Maintenance
Regular Inspection and Cleaning
Pipe Insulation
Leak Checks
Minor Repairs When Needed
A small investment in proactive maintenance prevents bigger costs down the line.

This checklist serves as a guideline to maintain smooth water flow in your outdoor plumbing system.

Remember, proactive maintenance is more cost-effective than reactive repairs. Good practices save you inconvenience and unexpected expenses.

Keeping your outdoor water system in optimal condition helps ensure uninterrupted service and longevity of installation.

Summer Prep Sorted

Make your garden the envy of the neighbourhood this summer with Fergusons Plumbing’s outdoor plumbing tips. From irrigation systems to outdoor showers, they’ve got you covered with top-notch advice and innovative solutions. Don’t let plumbing troubles ruin your outdoor fun, trust the pros at Fergusons to get your garden summer-ready!