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Adding an outdoor faucet, also known as a spigot, can give you water access outside your home. Whether you need to water your garden or wash your car, installing an outdoor faucet is a practical and essential home improvement project. This guide will walk you through the process of installing an outdoor faucet, with some expert tips and insights along the way. For a visual example, watch the video above where This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates the key steps for adding a new spigot to a home.
Preparing for Installation
Proper preparation is key to a successful outdoor faucet installation. This phase involves gathering tools, locating the water supply, and creating the access point for your new faucet.
Choosing the Right Faucet Location
You’ll want access to this faucet year-round, so think about how easy or difficult it’ll be to access in both summer and winter. Consider these factors to choose the best spot for your outdoor faucet:
- Accessibility for regular use
- Adequate drainage to prevent water pooling
- Protection from potential damage (such as from lawnmowers or foot traffic)
- Proximity to water supply lines
Gathering Tools and Materials
To install an outdoor faucet, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Drill with a 1/4-inch twist bit and a 1 3/8-inch self-feeding wood bit
- Tubing cutter
- Propane torch
- Copper pipe and fittings
- Frost-proof sillcock (outdoor faucet)
- Plumber’s putty
- Emery cloth
- Copper bell hangers
- Exterior-grade screws
- Bucket
Assessing Your Plumbing Skills
Installing an outdoor faucet requires moderate plumbing skills. If you’re uncomfortable with tasks such as soldering copper pipes or working with your home’s water supply, consult a professional plumber. Make sure you understand local plumbing codes and regulations. These codes often dictate the types of materials you can use and how the installation should be performed.
Locating the Water Supply
Identify a suitable water supply line to tap into. In the video, Trethewey demonstrates how to locate an ideal connection point in the basement. Look for a nearby water supply pipe that’s easy to access and modify.
Drilling the Access Hole
Once you’ve determined the faucet’s location, create the access hole by taking these steps:
- From inside, mark the spot where the faucet will be installed.
- Drill a 1/4-inch pilot hole through the siding and rim joist.
- From the outside, use the 1-and-3/8-inch self-feeding bit to enlarge the hole.
Make sure the hole falls between two floor joists in the basement to avoid structural issues.
Installing the Water Supply Line
With the access hole in place, you can focus on installing the water supply line for your new outdoor faucet. Take the following steps:
- Cut and prepare the pipe: Turn off the water before cutting into the existing water supply. Clean the pipe with an emery cloth before cutting. Use a tubing cutter to make a precise cut in the supply pipe.
- Run the new copper tubing: Run new copper tubing from the cut water supply pipe to the newly drilled faucet hole. Secure the pipe to the house framing using copper bell hangers for stability. Unfastened pipes can lead to leaks and damage.
- Solder connections: To solder your connections, clean and flux all pipe ends and fittings. Apply heat to one side of the fitting until the flux bubbles, then apply lead-free solder to the opposite side. Avoid overheating the fitting. Wipe joints clean after soldering.
Have a bucket on hand in case any residual water in the pipes needs to be caught during this stage.
Installing the Outdoor Faucet
With the water supply line in place, you’re ready to install the actual faucet.
- Prepare the faucet: Remove the handle from the frost-proof sillcock to make installation easier. Apply a small amount of plumber’s putty around the back of the faucet flange to create a watertight seal.
- Secure the faucet: Insert the faucet into the pre-drilled hole and press it firmly against the house. Secure it by driving two exterior-grade screws through the flange and into the house. Remove any excess plumber’s putty that squeezes out from behind the flange.
- Make the final connection: From inside, make the final plumbing connection by soldering the faucet to the new water supply pipe. Ensure all connections are secure and leak-free. Providing additional support for the pipe near this connection can help maintain the integrity of the installation.
Testing and Finishing Up
Turn the water supply back on and carefully inspect all connections for leaks. Pay close attention to soldered joints and the area around the faucet flange.
In colder climates, it’s important to protect your outdoor faucet from freezing. These are a few ways you can prevent your faucet from freezing:
- Consider using insulated faucet covers during extremely cold weather.
- Install a drain valve at the lowest point of the supply line to allow for easy winterization.
- Use a frost-proof sillcock that extends into the heated area of your home.
