Frost proof faucets

[Richard]

I want to replace one or two. I was at the local HD and they were all made in china. Perhaps thats the current reality.

I'm heading out on way home to try to find a US made, or at least, a less "cheesy" feeling one than the one I saw at the store.

Any wisdom on getting one that's not chinese made? That stuff scares me and once I put drywall up, I'd prefer it not become wetwall.

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[DocHeb]

Thanks for reminding me about my frost-free faucet problem. I have a Woodford Model 17 FFF that seems to be flow-restricted - barely get any water out of the hose. You might try a plumbing shop rather than a "lowest-price-no-matter-how low the qualty" Big Box store.

 

[slowrev]

I agree. I buy some Chinese stuff, but learned years back that the chinese faucets are junk and will be far more trouble than the savings you get. Try a plumbing outlet/supply house or maybe a small hardware store.
Ben

 

[Richard]

Thanks guys, I did call plumbing supply. He recommended Woodford. I told him I preferred 3/4 over 1/2 and he said it'd be about $40'ish depending on model.

I might run TWO lines there, one for softened water (car washing) and the other "regular" water for watering plants. I might even run a hot line so we can wash the dogs outside when they get into that bad stuff. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I learned THAT trick here, so thank you all very much. Now if I can only get the wife to understand the difference that I only barely understand myself.

She's gonna flip when she sees $40 verses something like $7 especially when I might need to buy 3 of them.

Oh well, it's not like she's going to pay for it anyway huh?

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Boondox]

I've had to replace my cheapy Chinese-made HD faucet twice in the past few years. Finally went to the local hardware/lumber store and bought a 3/4" Woodford. Much heavier duty!

I plumbed my house with PEX, so added a manifold with hot and cold fed by ball valves. With six goldens needing baths, I didn't want them all running away from the cold water rinse!

 

[beenthere]

I'd suggest putting in a 'trap' door so you can get to the faucet in the wall if ever a problem. I ran just two lines, hot and cold, (hot is softened and cold is hard) with a ball valve on each. I can put a 'Y' on each valve to mix the two, and have warm water.

For the faucet (other post) that is 'plugged' or acts plugged, the problem may be the seat washer on the end of the long stem. Just replacing it may solve the problem.

Good luck finding the 'USA' made, and I am with you all the way.

 

[Richard]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I plumbed my house with PEX, so added a manifold with hot and cold fed by ball valves. With six goldens needing baths, I didn't want them all running away from the cold water rinse! )</font>


Ya know something, I think a lightbulb just went off inside my head.

By using a manifold (never seen one) I now presume that you can use IT to re-direct certain flow from a to b.... in other words, you can cut off the hot & have ALL cold go to various points or cut off cold and do opposite over what otherwise might be (from MY perspective) a singlularly dedicated "cold" line?

Hmmm.. oh well, guess if my perception is near right it's too late for me. Besides, if that IS the case my wife would just roll her eyes at me for even TRYING to contemplate something (cool) like that.

 

[heehaw]

when i built this place in 86, i put in 4 of the outside freeze proof faucets, the ones that go in the ground and and stick up a couple feet...anyway, i've tried a couple different brands, from a plumbing supply, and had more trouble with them than i liked, which wasn't that much, just more than i liked, so last year, on the one i use the most, when it messed up, i dug it up and just brought up a pipe, and put 3 standard faucets on the pipe, it sticks up about 30 inches above ground, and will freeze, but does not burst, so as soon as it warms up, i can use it again. since i'm not going to be using it below freezing anyway, this works great. i did the same thing some 30 years ago at another location, and for some reason, forgot that it would work, and invested a lot of $$$ in those fancy faucets..
heehaw

 

[SPIKER]

MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS LLC makes them in Perrysville ohio, (I work there /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) they make both single and dual for hot cold but that could be used for soft & Hard if you wanted... not sure of where you could locate one in you;re area though... all american made even make the brass fittings there !

Mark M

 

[JerryG]

When you go to get one, made sure that it can be rebuilt and if they carry the kit. Some of the cheaper ones have to be thrown away if there is a problem. When rebuilding them, you don't have to do any digging which is great. Another thing, if you don't want it to freeze, make sure that the drain hole is below the frost line. I like to screw a street L into the drain hole and point it down to keep from getting dirt in the shut off valve. The valve is at the bottom just below the drain hole. Another thing to keep it from freezing is to make sure that there is a pocket of gravel around the drain hole. It there isn't a good place for the water to go it will freeze. That is what the gravel is for.