Check your hoses! Now that spring is in full swing, it’s time to spend more time outdoors. You know what that means: plenty of yard work. Your lawn, landscape, and vegetable garden all depend on getting enough water. This process gets much easier when you have an ordinary garden hose. That way, you won’t have to lug heavy buckets of water back and forth. But what if there are leaks? It’s time to do something about them.
Before You Start the Water
First and foremost, there are a few things you can do. Test the spigot by putting your thumb over it. You can also use your whole hand if you are concerned about your thumbs being too small. Then turn the water supply on. Does the water come out in a weak stream? If so, that indicates a leak is present. The piping is probably cracked, but it might not be readily apparent just where the hole is. On the other hand, if there is enough pressure, the water should come jetting out.
The Possibility of Repairs
All of that said, the possibility of urgent repairs will still linger. A leaking hose bibb is no easy fix for most homeowners. No matter how savvy you are, you should still consult a professional. They’ll be able to find the location of the leak and then mend it. Your hose bibb might also need to be repaired or replaced. It all depends on the extent of the problem. The more serious it is, the more expensive it is bound to be. Plus, the maintenance that is performed now might only be a temporary stopgap. Over the next few winters, you may find that the components holding your hosepipe together will fail completely.
Your Takeaway
So, all in all, what should your key takeaways be? Good question. Outdoor faucets are more complex and fragile than you might think. Keeping them well-protected all year long is a necessity, not a luxury. Leaky bibbs or broken water supply lines will hit you where it hurts the most – right in your wallet. Not only will your water bills go up, but you might encounter water damage or soil erosion that can ruin the structural integrity of your home.
All of Your Plumbing Needs from Master Plumbing
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100 or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with just about anything plumbing-related! We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.