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Outdoor Frost-Free Hot and Cold Water Spigot

6K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  balrog006  
#1 ·
I have been toying with the idea of installing this (or one like this one) hot & cold water spigot near my driveway and gravel parking area. Amazon.com : ARROWHEAD CHAMPION 496-12LF Hot/Cold Hydrant, Pack of 1 : Garden Outdoor

It works like any other frost-free water spigot but you can mix hot and cold water to obtain the water temperature of your choice without worrying about frozen pipes splitting open, etc.... Has anyone else installed one of these? What is your experience with it so far? Recommended or not?

This seems like a no-brainer answer to my adult life-long desire to have hot water available for outdoor washing of man-toys.....lol...

Appreciate any feedback you may have.

Sincerely
 
#2 ·
You could accomplish the same thing with separate outdoor faucets and then a "Y" hose (originally for washing machines), which can be found at most hardware stores. I have a hot and cold hose spigot/valve on my workshop washtub, in addition to a tall kitchen sink spray wand faucet. I also have hot & cold spigots next to the hose reel in the beach house garage. I have a Y hose at each one.

You'll have no issue leaving the Y hose on in the winter, as long as you don't leave a hose connected to it and it can drain. The plus side of the Y hose is it will allow to utilize conventional frost free faucets, which are less money, or you can get them in longer lengths if you penetrating a thick wall, such as concrete block.
 
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#3 · (Edited)
We picked up our 8 week old puppy Golden Retriever in Sept. This was in CT. With cold weather coming and a puppy that loved to play in the mud, I thought a hot/cold outdoor faucet would be real handy. I installed the Woodford brand and it was the best upgrade ever! The dog would get in the snow/mud and I had a small coil type hose inside that I would grab and he would get the hose. Man, warm water outside in January was the best ever!

When we moved here to PA, it was near the top of the list things to do and again hosing off the dog in the winter with warm water is great.

My boss added one and when they have small kids over they used the warm water to fill a small pool, so much better than the cold well water!

Kevin
 

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#5 ·
I've got This one, installed 14 years ago, and love it. Used it for everything from the dog to hot pressure washing (we have an on-demand water heater, so I get hot water all day if we don't run out of propane or well water).

We put it in the outside wall by the bathtub, so there are both hot and cold water lines within about 2 feet.

Consider the PEX version of it for ease of repair when you forget to remove the hose in the winter and it freezes. And don't forget the separate shut off valves inside so you can turn it off while you're getting and installing the replacement without leaving all the water in the house off.
 
#6 ·
Put it up high enough that it is easy to attach the hoses. I have mine about 16 inches off the floor. My daughter's are 4 feet off the floor. Much easier to use.
 
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