Yard Hydrants

Mace · May 14, 2006

Hello all.

Looking for tips in installing several frost proof yard hydrants so that I can retire the fifteen lengths of garden hose I keep dragging around.

I have saved up enough to be able to install 5 of them around our 5 acres. I have never put one in before....just looking for tips and experiances.

Thanks

Mace

plumboy · May 14, 2006

I gravel the bottom of the ditch to help drain it when you shut it off.A good simple way to secure them is to use to 5/8" rebar,or glav rods, dove into the bottom of the ditch next to it on each side and brought up to the handle,hose clamped every foot.A small 18" pad of concrete 2" thick works good.

GaryM · May 14, 2006

Here's a link to the installation instructions on the Woddford website: Woodford

They are the ones who invented the whole idea many years back. I will recommend that you purchase a brand which has part available in your area.

heehaw · May 14, 2006

save your money and just install galv pipe coming up with a faucet on the end: it will freeze, but it will not burst, unless you try to cover it up to protect it: do this on the ones your definetly not going to use when the temp is below freezing, and save youself a lot of money and future work...repairing messed up yard hydrants...been there..
heehaw

heehaw · May 14, 2006

save your money and just install galv pipe coming up with a faucet on the end: it will freeze, but it will not burst, unless you try to cover it up to protect it: do this on the ones your definetly not going to use when the temp is below freezing, and save youself a lot of money and future work...repairing messed up yard hydrants...been there..
heehaw

KentT · May 15, 2006

( save your money and just install galv pipe coming up with a faucet on the end: it will freeze, but it will not burst, unless you try to cover it up to protect it: do this on the ones your definetly not going to use when the temp is below freezing, and save youself a lot of money and future work...repairing messed up yard hydrants...been there..
heehaw )

Agree. Use the money saved to put some self-draining valves in your lines. Put one at the base of each of your hydrants, and use common galvanizied pipe and valve for the hydrant. (I used regular black 160lb poly for my lines.) When you shut the water pressure off to your hydrants in winter (which I recommend), just open the valves and the remaining water in the lines will drain out through the self-draining valves, preventing freezing...

KentT · May 15, 2006

( save your money and just install galv pipe coming up with a faucet on the end: it will freeze, but it will not burst, unless you try to cover it up to protect it: do this on the ones your definetly not going to use when the temp is below freezing, and save youself a lot of money and future work...repairing messed up yard hydrants...been there..
heehaw )

Agree. Use the money saved to put some self-draining valves in your lines. Put one at the base of each of your hydrants, and use common galvanizied pipe and valve for the hydrant. (I used regular black 160lb poly for my lines.) When you shut the water pressure off to your hydrants in winter (which I recommend), just open the valves and the remaining water in the lines will drain out through the self-draining valves, preventing freezing...

heehaw · May 15, 2006

i never drain mine, they feeze, but don't break, and i have been really surprised how cold it can be, and they are still usable, when the sun is shining..
heehaw

heehaw · May 15, 2006

i never drain mine, they feeze, but don't break, and i have been really surprised how cold it can be, and they are still usable, when the sun is shining..
heehaw

turnkey4099 · May 15, 2006

( ( save your money and just install galv pipe coming up with a faucet on the end: it will freeze, but it will not burst, unless you try to cover it up to protect it: do this on the ones your definetly not going to use when the temp is below freezing, and save youself a lot of money and future work...repairing messed up yard hydrants...been there..
heehaw )

Agree. Use the money saved to put some self-draining valves in your lines. Put one at the base of each of your hydrants, and use common galvanizied pipe and valve for the hydrant. (I used regular black 160lb poly for my lines.) When you shut the water pressure off to your hydrants in winter (which I recommend), just open the valves and the remaining water in the lines will drain out through the self-draining valves, preventing freezing... )

Wish I had know that years and years ago. I put in 6 when I had my well drilled. One became mechanically froze up almost immediately to the point I couldn't force it open using a cheater. My most used one next to the drive did the same thing last year. Too bad I can't dig that one up as I would have to destroy a very nice mature birch tree now (hydrant is right at it's base). Another one is 'very' stiff to operate.

I wished many times that I had installed standard standpipe and stop-n-waste valves.

Harry K