You’ve just purchased a house, and you’re excited to start making it your own. You’ve painted the walls, hung some new drapes, and even managed to put in a new walkway out front.
But there’s one thing that’s been missing from your yard: the yard hydrant. Well, look no further! We’ll show you how simple it is to add one of these life-saving devices to your home today.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Yard hydrants provide a convenient source of water for outdoor activities. |
| Adding a French drain system can improve yard drainage. |
| Adjusting yard hydrants may require troubleshooting. |
| Products like Cutter Backyard Bug Control can help keep yards pest-free. |
| Installing a drainage system can prevent water pooling in backyards. |
| Managing outdoor water can help prevent water damage to your property. |
| Additional resources for installing and maintaining yard hydrants are available online. |
| Regular maintenance can keep your yard hydrant in good working order. |
Check To Make Sure Your Water Pressure Is Sufficient
To keep your yard hydrant working for a long time, it’s important to make sure that your water pressure is sufficient. If you have too little pressure, it won’t work at all; if you have too much pressure, it may burst or crack.
To determine whether you have enough water pressure:
Open the valve on your house’s main pipe with a wrench. (You’ll probably need to disconnect the old valve first.) Then turn on all of your faucets and check how hard you need to press down in order for them to start flowing.
If there isn’t enough flow from these faucets after about 10 seconds of turning their handles all the way around, then this means that there isn’t enough water pressure for installing a new lawn hydrant without upgrading or repairing any pipes or lines nearby first.
In this case, consider getting professional help with fixing anything else that needs fixing before proceeding with adding an outdoor spigot outlet yourself!
Otherwise if everything seems fine—then go ahead!
One of the most effective ways to improve yard drainage is to add a French drain system. A French drain can help direct water away from your landscape and prevent standing water. If you want to learn more about installing a French drain, check out our guide on how to achieve better yard drainage.
Order Your Chosen Parts And Accessories Online
- Order your chosen parts and accessories online.
- Make sure you have everything you need to complete the project, including a yard hydrant, valve box, and standpipe for a wet-barrel hydrant; or an air-venting cap for a dry-barrel hydrant.
- Order the parts in advance of when you want to install them so that you’ll be ready when it’s time to get started!
Obtain A Setback Permit From The Building Department
- Complete an application for a setback permit.
Make an appointment with the building department to submit your application, or submit it in person after they open on Monday morning.
Submit all required documentation: two copies of the completed building permit application form; one copy of your property deed (or tax bill), showing that you own the home; and a check for $50, made out to “City of Springfield”.
Wait for a decision from the building department regarding whether or not they will grant you permission to dig into your yard and erect a hydrant!
Are you having trouble adjusting your yard hydrant? Don’t worry, it’s a common problem! Our step-by-step guide on how to adjust yard hydrant can help you troubleshoot and fix issues with your yard hydrant.
Locate An Open Space In Your Yard That Is 10 To 20 Feet From Any Septic Tanks Or Drain Fields
Before you install a yard hydrant, you will need to find an open space in your yard that is 10 to 20 feet from any septic tanks or drain fields.
The location of the hydrant should be away from these utilities so that it does not interfere with their operation. You can also choose a place where it is easy for people to access the hydrant and use it regularly when needed.
If you get a permit from your city, they can help you locate the best spot for your new yard hydrant as well as provide information on whether or not there are any restrictions on installing one in your area.
Decide A Depth For Placement And Mark It On The Post.
This depth will depend on your soil type and the size of your yard hydrant. Check with your local building department for specific guidelines.
To measure the depth, place one end of a measuring tape at ground level and extend it up to where you want to dig.
Then use this measurement to mark off a circle around your post at that same height from ground level; this circle should be centered on your post’s center point so that when you’re digging out an area in front of it later, no dirt will encroach into its circle or block access by those using it.
If possible, make sure that this circle is large enough not only for people but also vehicles like firetrucks (though we’re sure they’ll get along fine without having room).
If you’re struggling to keep your yard free of bugs, consider using the Cutter Backyard Bug Control spray. Our guide on how to apply Cutter Backyard Bug Control provides a step-by-step process to effectively use this product and keep your yard pest-free.
Dig A Hole For The Riser Pipe
The good news is that once you’ve found a suitable location for the hydrant, digging isn’t difficult. You’ll need to dig a hole that’s deep enough for the riser pipe and wide enough for it to fit in comfortably.
If you are unsure how long your riser pipe needs to be, consult with an expert who can help determine what size of pipe will work best for your project. Your local utility company will likely be able to provide assistance with this step as well.
Once you have dug your hole, place the bottom end of the riser pipe into the dirt at an angle so that water will flow down into it from above when necessary.
Attach The Riser Pipe, T-Fitting, And Posts Together
Attach the riser pipe to the T-fitting using a compression coupling. The female end of the coupling will be on your riser, while the male end of the coupling will be on your T-fitting.
Next, attach one side of your T-fitting to each post with lag bolts. You can do this by drilling holes through both posts and into either side of your fitting, then screwing in lag screws that go through all three pieces and securing them together tightly (you may want to use pliers).
Adding a drainage system to your backyard can help prevent pooling and runoff after a heavy rain. Our guide on how to add backyard drainage provides great tips and tricks for DIYers who want to install a system themselves.
Install The Foot Valve Into The Hydrant’s Riser Pipe By Twisting And Pushing Down As Far As It Will Go
The first step is to install the foot valve into your new hydrant. This can be done by turning on a wrench, pushing down as far as it will go, and twisting until you feel a snug fit.
When tightening the foot valve make sure that there is no gap between the threads at all or else you risk not sealing properly.
Steps to Install a Foot Valve in a Yard Hydrant
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gather the necessary tools, including a wrench and Teflon tape for sealing. |
| 2 | Remove the hydrant head from the riser pipe to expose the threaded end of the pipe. |
| 3 | Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the foot valve. This will help create a secure seal with the riser pipe. |
| 4 | Carefully insert the foot valve into the riser pipe and push down as far as it will go. |
| 5 | Use the wrench to tighten the foot valve, being careful not to overtighten and damage the threads or seal. |
| 6 | Verify that there is no gap between the threads and the foot valve, as any gaps can lead to leaks. |
| 7 | Reattach the hydrant head onto the riser pipe, ensuring that it is secure and properly aligned with the foot valve. |
| 8 | Test the foot valve by turning on the water supply and checking for any leaks. |
| 9 | Congratulations! Your yard hydrant now has a secure and properly installed foot valve. |
Seal All Connections With The Plumber’s Glue
Plumber’s glue is an essential ingredient for creating a watertight seal. Do not use silicone or other caulk, as these products tend to be too soft and fragile for this kind of work. Instead, use plumber’s glue (also known as pipe dope).
To ensure that the connections you make are watertight, it is critical that you use only the plumber’s glue in place of caulk.
If you do not take this step properly, any leaks that occur later can result in major damage to your home or property and even expensive repairs!
Are you dealing with excess water in your yard? Our guide on how to absorb excess water in the yard offers several creative solutions to effectively manage and absorb excess water, including creating a rain garden or using permeable pavers.
Hook Up An Outdoor Hose To Allow Debris To Flush Out Of The Foot Valve.
To flush out any debris that may have gotten stuck in the foot valve, you’ll need to hook up an outdoor hose.
First, connect one end of the garden hose to your hydrant. Then connect the other end to a drain or sewer line (a good place is right near your street).
Turn on the water and let it flow for a minute or two while checking for leaks. It’s possible that this step will be unnecessary if you’re using a self-flushing hydrant with no foot valve (although I would still recommend it).
Turn Your Main Water Supply Back On
Turn off the main water supply again if you find leaks. This is a good way to make sure that any leaks you find are fixed, as the pressure from turning on the water will cause them to leak more quickly. If there are no leaks, turn on your main water supply again.
Steps to Turning on Your Main Water Supply
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Make sure all faucets, fixtures, and appliances are turned off. |
| 2 | Locate the main water shut off valve, which is typically located near the water meter or where the main water line enters the house. |
| 3 | Slowly turn on the main water supply valve, being careful not to force it, until it is fully open. |
| 4 | Check for any leaks in your plumbing system. If you find any leaks, turn off the main water supply valve again and fix them. |
| 5 | After repairing any leaks, turn on the main water supply again and check for leaks. |
| 6 | Once you have confirmed that there are no leaks, turn on your faucets one at a time to flush out any air or debris that may have accumulated in your plumbing system. |
| 7 | Finally, turn on your appliances one at a time to ensure that they are receiving water properly without any leaks or airlocks. |
| 8 | Congratulations! Your main water supply is now turned on and functioning properly. |
It Really Isn’t That Hard!
If you’ve never added a yard hydrant, you’re probably thinking that it’s going to be a huge hassle. Well, rest assured that this is not the case!
It takes some time and effort, but once you’ve done it makes your yard look better than ever. The best part is that now you can get right to watering those plants without having to drag around an unwieldy hose.
So why should you add a yard hydrant? Because they make watering plants easier and more efficient and what gardener doesn’t want their garden to flourish?
There are many different types of hydrants available on the market today (we’ll cover those in just a moment).
But no matter which one you choose, installing it will require very little effort and expense compared with other options like building an irrigation system from scratch or installing an above-ground sprinkler system into your lawn.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to add a yard hydrant to your home, it’s time for you to get started. It really isn’t that hard!
If you follow the steps outlined in this article and make sure that you have everything ready before starting (like the correct parts), then you should be good to go.
The last thing we want is for something as simple as plumbing to keep us from being prepared when disaster strikes!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can use to learn more about installing and maintaining yard hydrants:
Hydrant Installation: How-To – This article provides an in-depth guide to installing a yard hydrant, including tips for selecting the right location, digging the hole, and connecting the plumbing.
Let It Flow: How to Install a Frost-Free Water Hydrant – This comprehensive guide from FarmLife magazine provides step-by-step instructions for installing a frost-free yard hydrant, including selecting the right hydrant, digging the necessary hole, and connecting the plumbing.
How to Install a Yard Water Hydrant – This article from The Spruce provides an overview of the steps involved in installing a yard hydrant, including digging the hole, connecting the plumbing, and installing the hydrant head.
FAQs
What is a yard hydrant?
A yard hydrant is a device that provides a convenient source of water for outdoor activities such as gardening, washing your car, or filling a swimming pool. It consists of a vertical pipe that is buried in the ground and connected to an underground water source, with a handle or valve that allows you to control the flow of water.
How does a yard hydrant work?
When you turn on a yard hydrant, water flows up from the underground water source and out through the hydrant head. The water is protected from freezing in the winter by an elongated pipe that extends deep into the ground, well below the frost line.
How do I install a yard hydrant?
Installing a yard hydrant typically involves digging a hole, connecting the plumbing, and installing the hydrant head. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure that the hydrant is installed with the proper drainage and backflow prevention devices.
Can I install a yard hydrant myself?
If you have some basic plumbing skills and equipment, you can probably install a yard hydrant yourself. However, if you’re not comfortable working with water lines or digging large holes, it’s best to hire a professional to handle the installation.
How do I maintain my yard hydrant?
To keep your yard hydrant in good working condition, it’s important to periodically check for leaks, adjust the flow rate if necessary, and ensure that the drainage and backflow prevention devices are functioning properly. If you notice any issues, such as decreased water pressure, it’s important to address them promptly to prevent damage to the hydrant and your plumbing system.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m here to help you with your home-maintenance needs. Whether it’s building a better yard or just trying to fix a garden—I can show you how.
