Dripping a Frost Free Hydrant

[derekuk101]

Does it help to drip a frost free hydrant or is it better to turn them off? The hose is off and the hydrant is outside. We are expecting temperatures around 4 or lower this weekend. I'm trying to keep it from freezing as our Richie fountains always freeze.

 

[jaxs]

Dripping a frost-free does more damage than good. #1. It cuts washer/o-ring which in turn can cut seat. Washer/o-ring is replacable but seat is not. #2. Not likly but at cold enough temp,trikle can freeze and restrict same as if a hose was connected. The little foam cups can help in cases where supply to facuet lacks ample insulation or is on wrong side of wall insulation.
On a related note,Dallas Tx is expected to be 10F which is very unusual so plumbers are licking there chops.

 

[Bearsixty7]

If it was installed correctly and has the gravel at the bottom, turn it off and let it naturally drain out.

 

[CobyRupert]

Turn them off.
“Dripping” them would either result in ice building up in the hydrant pipe above the frost line, or
You’d be constantly dripping water into the ground, through the hydrants drain hole. This will just saturate your drain and use unnecessary water (pump, etc..)
Hydrants are an on/off mechanism. Handle “down” plugs the water supply and clears a drain path for the water in the hydrant pipe above the buried valve. This is so there’s no water in the hydrant above the frost line to freeze. Handle “up” unplugs the water supply and block the drain path so water goes up the pipe to faucet.
Opening the handle partially might just let water go to the valve’s drain hole once the path out the faucet freezes up, or because it’s less gravity to overcome.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Dripping it would exactly defeat the very intended purpose, to have the pipe extending down below the frost level "empty". Given enough flow, it might not freeze. But dripping wouldn't do it.

FWIW I drilled a hole in the stem and insert a cotter pin during warm months, so the valve doesn't drain the pipe every time. Goes down just far enough to shut off the water flow. Has worked well for years.

 

[CobyRupert]

...FWIW I drilled a hole in the stem and insert a cotter pin during warm months, so the valve doesn't drain the pipe every time. Goes down just far enough to shut off the water flow. Has worked well for years.

Where’s the hole you drilled, above or below ground? How would cotter pin stop water from draining? What goes down far enough to shut off water flow?
On mine, down at the buried valve there’s a rubber plunger controlled by the rod from the handle that’s either down and blocks water supply, or up and blocks drain hole.

 

[jaxs]

I assumed you had the kind that extend's from building wall so my answer wasn't applicical.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It might be easier if I just took a picture. The pin prevents the handle from closing all the way. UNLESS, the lady friend sits on it, thinking it must just be jammed! Happened last summer.

 

[MF RED in MT]

My frost free hydrant is connected 6' below ground and if you leave a hose attached with a spray nozzle that does not leak, then it will not drain out when the hydrant is turned off.

KC

 

[CobyRupert]

It might be easier if I just took a picture. The pin prevents the handle from closing all the way. UNLESS, the lady friend sits on it, thinking it must just be jammed! Happened last summer.

So doesn’t it just leak? Maybe not leak all the way out of the faucet but out the drain hole?