Last year, after 8 years, I had the first pipe burst that led to the outside faucet. From the looks of it, the previous owners had issues! From the shut off to the faucet there is 8 ft of pipe.and every inch or so, they had a repair. So I replaced the shut off, the 8 foot pipe and the faucet last spring, after it had burst on me. I used the foam wrap insulation from where it enters the house to about 2 feet from the shut off. For the winter, the shut off was in the off position. My outside faucet was opened and I had a cover over the faucet protecting it. I even went along the wall and caulked every little hole I seen around the outside walls to make sure I cut down on drafts. All of this, and I just opened it up 1 hr. ago, and there‘s a hole on the top about 6 inches away from my shutoff. How could this happen with no water in the line?
Perhaps the shutoff still allows a little water out. freezes at exit and then freezes the rest of the pipe. When I first read your description I thought of all those times I found burst pipes because someone left the hose hooked up and ice ran right in the line. But it sounds like you took the proper precautions. PS after awhile sweating a pipe becomes no Problemo
There must have been residual water in the line. Otherwise, there would have been nothing to freeze, right? All the old repairs are a clue. Maybe your shut-off doesn't shut off all the way. Ball valves work much better than gate valves. Does the spigot have an anti-siphon adaptor attached to it? This would stop water from exiting the pipe. I would use heat tape in the wintertime so there would be no more problems.
I think that when you replace it this time, you should get a frost free sill-cock. They shut off a foot or so inside of the house, not at the outside. You should also make sure that the piping is pitched downward so that you have positive drainage. If there is any water left in the pipe it will freeze, expand and has the potential to burst your pipes.
Perhaps the shutoff still allows a little water out. freezes at exit and then freezes the rest of the pipe. When I first read your description I thought of all those times I found burst pipes because someone left the hose hooked up and ice ran right in the line. But it sounds like you took the proper precautions. PS after awhile sweating a pipe becomes no Problemo
There must have been residual water in the line. Otherwise, there would have been nothing to freeze, right? All the old repairs are a clue. Maybe your shut-off doesn't shut off all the way. Ball valves work much better than gate valves. Does the spigot have an anti-siphon adaptor attached to it? This would stop water from exiting the pipe. I would use heat tape in the wintertime so there would be no more problems.
I think that when you replace it this time, you should get a frost free sill-cock. They shut off a foot or so inside of the house, not at the outside. You should also make sure that the piping is pitched downward so that you have positive drainage. If there is any water left in the pipe it will freeze, expand and has the potential to burst your pipes.
