Your hose bib is a part of your plumbing system that you probably don't think about very often. You hook your hose up to it to water your flowers or lawn now and then, but you probably don't use your hose bib as often as your toilet or kitchen sink. However, it is a good idea to be more aware of your hose bib and the possible problems it can develop. The most common hose bib issue is leaking, which you can learn more about below.

How do you know whether your hose bib is leaking?

It's pretty easy to tell. Go outside after you have not used your hose bib in a while. Look at the ground under the bib. Do you see any drops of water? If so, the hose bib is leaking. If you have grass under the hose bib, you should put a board or piece of wood under the hose bib. Leave it there for an hour or two, and then check to see if there are any drips of water on that board.

What should you do if your hose bib is leaking?

If your hose bib is leaking, call a plumber. Most hose bib leaks are caused by cracks in either the bib itself or in the valve. The plumber will need to turn off the flow of water to the hose bib, remove the bib and valve, and then replace the bib and valve. This process will involve cutting the existing pipe and then sweating a new piece of pipe into place. While this is not the most extensive of plumbing repairs, it can take a few hours, especially if your plumber is working alone.

How can you prevent hose bib leaks?

If your hose bib is not leaking, there are steps you can take to keep it that way. First, make sure you turn the water supply to your hose bib off every fall. You do not want water in the hose bib to freeze in the winter, as this can crack the hose bib and lead to leaks. Also, make sure you don't bump into the hose bib with a tractor or lawn mower; this is another common cause of damage and leaks.

Your hose bib serves you well, so you want to be aware of leaks and treat it well. Talk to a plumber if anything is amiss with your hose bib. 

For more info about plumbing services, contact a local company. 

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