How To Add A Garden Spigot? (Gardener Advice)

The joys of gardening depend on the ability to water your plants. You can do this manually with a bucket, but it’s much easier to attach a spigot and run a hose from it. 

The process of installing one is simple and requires only basic tools, though if you live in a freezing climate you’ll need an outdoor wall bracket as well. 

In this article we’ll walk through each step so that by the end of this article you too can have easy access to water when working in your garden!

Garden Hose Faucet: How to Properly Extend w

Sure, here’s the takeaway table without dashes:

How to Add a Garden Spigot: Gardener Advice
Measure and cut the copper pipe carefully for the best fit
Use proper tools and materials to make the installation process easier
Follow code requirements for adding a new spigot
Turn off the water supply before starting the installation
Consider hiring a professional plumber for more complicated installations

Purchase The Supplies

The first thing you will need to do is purchase the supplies that you need to add a garden spigot. You can get them at any hardware store or home improvement store in your area, but if you don’t have one nearby, there are several online retailers that sell these products as well (we’ll get into this more later). The supplies you will need include:

  • 1/2″ PVC pipe ($3)
  • 3/4″ PVC pipe ($3)
  • PVC elbow connector ($1)

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Shut Off Your Water Supply

Now that you’ve removed the old spigot, it’s time to turn off your water supply. Shut off the valve on the water supply line by turning it clockwise until it can’t be turned any further. 

Then, shut off both valves on each end of the spigot (one will be labeled “hot” and one will be labeled “cold”).

Now that you have everything shut off, you can disconnect all hoses from the faucet and shut down any electrical connections that were connected to it as well. 

This means removing any wires or cords from inside/underneath where they may have been tied up in a messy bundle.

Shutting Off Your Water Supply

Steps
Locate the water supply valve that feeds the spigot
Turn the valve clockwise until it can’t be turned any further
Open the spigot to allow any remaining water to drain
Test the valve to ensure the water is completely shut off
Proceed with the installation process once the water has been shut off

Remove The Old Faucet And Spout

  • Remove the Old Faucet and Spout
  • Unscrew the faucet and spout with a wrench by turning counterclockwise. You will have to use a bit of force, but this is easy to do if you have the right tool.
  • Remove the aerator, which is attached to your new spigot with an O-ring seal, by unscrewing it from its base on your old faucet and screwing it onto your new one in reverse order.
  • Use a wrench or pair of pliers (depending on how much force is needed) to unscrew an old spigot from its base at each end; depending on where you live, this might be easier than it sounds!

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Replace The Spout With A Male Garden Hose Adapter

  • Replace the spigot with a male garden hose adapter. It’s very similar to replacing the spout, but you will need to cut the pipe to length and apply primer to the perimeter of it before attaching it to your existing drain line.
  • Check for leaks in your new joint by adding some soapy water and turning on both water sources simultaneously. If you detect a leak, apply Teflon tape or silicone caulk around all joints where there are pipes connected together.

Apply Primer To Perimeter Of Pipe

When you’re ready to apply sealant, make sure the primer is applied to the pipe first. The primer will help ensure a good bond between your sealant and the plastic pipe. If this step is skipped, leaks are likely to occur when the water pressure expands and contracts due to temperature changes.

Primer is a clear, sticky liquid that can be applied with a paintbrush or roller tool (just like caulk). Make sure it doesn’t drip down into any other parts of your spigot assembly that weren’t primed this could cause problems later on!

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Cut Pvc Pipe To Length

You’ll want to cut your PVC pipe to the correct length before moving on. You can do this using a pipe cutter, or if you don’t have one available, you can use a hacksaw to cut the pipe. 

However, it’s best if you measure and mark the PVC before cutting it so that you know exactly how long each piece should be. Measure twice, cut once!

When cutting pieces of PVC with a hacksaw, always make sure that they are aligned vertically when they come out of the saw blade so they can fit into your connector properly.

Cutting PVC Pipe to Length

Steps
Measure and mark the pipe with a pencil where you need to cut it
Hold the pipe securely in place with a PVC pipe vise or clamp
If using a pipe cutter, align the blade with the mark and turn the cutter a full rotation, tightening the blade after each rotation until the pipe is cut
If using a hacksaw, make a straight cut using the marks as a guide
Smooth any rough edges with a piece of sandpaper or a deburring tool

Attach Female Adapter To Incoming Pipe

You have a few options when it comes to attaching the female adapter. You can use a wrench and tighten it down, or you can use some plumber’s tape and wrap tightly around the connection. When you are finished with this step, make sure that everything is tight so that there is no water leaking out!

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Attach Male Adapter To P Trap Elbow With Thread Seal Tape On All Threaded Joints

  • Attach Male Adapter to P Trap Elbow With Thread Seal Tape on All Threaded Joints

Using a wrench, tighten the male adapter securely onto the p-trap elbow.

  • Check For Leaks

Turn off all water sources and check for leaks by slowly turning on your new garden spigot’s hot and cold water valves. If you see any leaks at this point, turn off both valves immediately and fix the problem before continuing onward with this project!

  • Apply Primer to Perimeter of Pipe

Dip a paintbrush into some primer and carefully apply it to all surfaces of each pipe where they meet one another or where they come in contact with other components (like elbows). Let dry overnight before painting again with clear coat (see below).

Check For Leaks In The New Joints

After you’ve connected the spigot to your water system, turn on the water and use a garden hose to check for leaks. 

Check all joints the one connecting your old pipe to the new one and each joint in between. If you find a leak, fix it by adding more cement or re-tightening clamps.

If you can’t locate a leak after checking all joints, call a plumber. Do not use your newly installed spigot until all leaks are fixed!

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Add Insulation If You Live In A Cold Climate

If you live in a cold climate, or want to prevent any frost heave that might occur over the winter months, you’ll need to insulate the PVC pipe. To do this, simply wrap it with heat resistant insulation (such as foam). 

If you’re really concerned about frost heaving, use a fiberglass insulation jacket around the exterior of your spigot and connect it directly to your home’s heat source so that if there is any water inside of it when temperatures drop below freezing outside, it will not freeze and burst open.

Alternatively: You can also use an old blanket around your spigot or buy one of those “blanket” covers for outdoor furniture at Walmart that are made out of canvas. Just make sure they’re large enough!

If none of these options sound like something you want or need right now or ever again in your life: You could always just leave off any sort of insulation altogether because pipes don’t tend to freeze unless they are buried directly into soil rather than being above ground level where they can dry out quickly throughout winter seasons too warm even by Florida standards.

Cut And Paint A Cover For Your New Faucet

Using a hacksaw to cut the pipe, you should cut the PVC pipe to match the length of your garden hose. Next, use a rubber mallet or hammer to tap on one side of the pipe until it fits into place. 

Also make sure that there is room for water flow along both sides of this piece. Then, use primer and paint to cover your new spigot with two coats of paint.

Afterwards, drill holes in either side of your PVC pipe so that you can attach the faucet later on (it’s easier than trying to cut through). Now that everything is ready for assembly!

Install An Antique Style Faucet Handle On The Cover

The last step is to install a new faucet handle. You’ll want to find one that is easy to turn, easy to clean and replaceable if it breaks. The perfect option for this purpose is an antique style lever faucet handle like this one from Delta:

It’s important that you select a lever style faucet handle because they are easier on your hands, while still allowing you to control the flow of water when needed. For example, if your spigot has more than one setting (such as hot/cold) then you’ll need one of these handles so that it doesn’t require too much force when turning off or adjusting the temperature settings.

Install Outdoor Wall Bracket If You Live In A Freezing Climate

If you live in a freezing climate, consider using a wall bracket to mount the faucet. To do this, first measure your spigot and then purchase a wall bracket that is the right size for it. Install the wall bracket at a height that is easy to reach from both inside and outside of your home, and then install the cover on top of it.

Mount The Cover On The Wall Bracket

  • Attach the cover to the wall bracket using the lag screws, washers and nuts.
  • Make sure it’s level and straight.
  • Once you’re satisfied with its position, tighten all of the mounting hardware securely into place by hand or with an adjustable wrench or socket set (depending on what tools you have available).

Reconnect Your Water System And Test Your Results

Now that the spigot is in place, it’s time to turn on the water and see how things are looking. Turn on the water and check for leaks around your connections. 

Check your faucet lines as well by turning them on and off (make sure you have good flow). If everything looks good, then congratulations! You’ve successfully completed this project with no mishaps or messes to clean up afterwards.

Conclusion

So, now you have a garden spigot that is ready for use. You can use it to water your garden or plants, and you can also use it as an alternative source of water should there be a power outage. The steps are simple, and if you follow them closely, then there should be no problems at all with installing this type of faucet.

Further Reading

Here are more resources on adding an outdoor faucet:

How to Make an Extended Outdoor Faucet to Your Garden: A step-by-step guide to adding an outdoor faucet with photos and detailed instructions.

How to Install an Outdoor Spigot for Watering Your Garden: A comprehensive article on how to install an outdoor spigot, including tips on materials and tools to use.

Adding an Outdoor Faucet: A guide to adding an outdoor faucet, including tips on choosing the right location and ways to connect it to existing plumbing.

FAQs

How do I install an outdoor faucet in my garden?

To install an outdoor faucet, you will need to connect it to your existing plumbing. Check out our guide on how to install an outdoor spigot for step-by-step instructions.

What tools do I need to add an outdoor faucet?

You will need a few basic tools, including a drill, pipe wrench, and pliers, to install an outdoor faucet. Check out our guide on adding an outdoor faucet for a complete list of materials and tools you’ll need to get started.

Can I make an extended outdoor faucet for my garden?

Yes, you can make an extended outdoor faucet for your garden using garden hose and a few other materials. Check out our guide on making an extended outdoor faucet for step-by-step instructions.

Where is the best location to add an outdoor faucet?

The best location to add an outdoor faucet depends on your specific needs and the layout of your outdoor space. Check out our guide on adding an outdoor faucet for tips on choosing the right location.

Can I connect my outdoor faucet to an automatic sprinkler system?

Yes, you can connect your outdoor faucet to an automatic sprinkler system. Check with your local hardware store for materials and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.