How to Install a House Hydrant

In this video, Ask This Old House Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey installs a house hydrant to replace a leaky outdoor spigot.

Steps for Installing a House Hydrant

1. Turn off the water supply to the outdoor spigot.
2. Clean the cut point downstream of the water supply valve with an emery cloth.
3. Cut the pipe with a pipe cutter. Some excess water may drain out.
4. Unscrew the outdoor spigot using a screwdriver and remove it.
5. The house hydrant is round; using a pencil, outline the hydrant head on the siding.
6. Using an oscillating saw, cut out the outlined portion of the siding to fit the head.
7. Insert the new pipe and house hydrant head into the hole in the siding.
8. Place a bead of silicone caulking around the hydrant head and secure it with screws using a driver.
9. Place the operating bar inside the pipe until the O-ring is seated at the edge of the pipe and is even with the threads.
10. Connect the spring with a new piece of copper pipe by using a torch to solder the two together away from the new hydrant head pipe.
11. Use the torch to solder the remaining copper pipe connection back to the main water supply.