An outdoor spigot is one of the simplest parts of a private well system, and it is often overlooked until a cold snap or a dripping faucet makes it obvious. This guide covers how to check the outdoor faucets fed by a Missouri well, what to look for through the seasons, and when a homeowner should stop and call a licensed person.
How an Outdoor Spigot Connects to the System
Outdoor faucets are usually fed by a branch of the same line that serves the house, drawn from the pressure tank side of the system. The main concern is water sitting in an exposed pipe. Some outdoor faucets are frost-free models, where the valve sits inside the warm part of the wall and the shutoff point is well inside the house. Standard hose bibs have the valve right at the wall outside, so water left in the short section beyond the valve can freeze and split the fitting.
Freeze Checks Before Cold Weather
Missouri winters often swing between mild days and hard freezes, so a spigot can be exposed to freezing temperatures on any cold night. Before the first hard freeze of the season, a homeowner can:
- Disconnect and drain any garden hose, since a hose left attached can trap water in the faucet.
- Look for a drain or bleeder on the faucet, and if the design has one, follow its instructions to empty the line after the supply is shut off inside.
- Check that the pipe slopes so any remaining water drains away from the house wall rather than pooling.
- Note whether any insulation cover or box has come loose or been damaged by storms.
Backflow and Hose Connections
A garden hose can pull water back into a supply line when pressure drops, which is why a hose end left in a bucket, pond, or chemical sprayer is a concern. Many hose ends and spray attachments include a vacuum breaker. Keep hose ends out of standing liquid, and do not attach fertilizer or pesticide sprayers directly to an outdoor faucet unless a suitable backflow device has been installed by a qualified person. Missouri homes with livestock, pools, or garden chemical use should give this part of the system extra attention.
Leaks, Drips and Sounds
A spigot that drips when closed usually has a worn washer or a loose packing nut. Water that runs constantly from the wall, puddles near the foundation, or hisses inside the wall may point to a failed fitting or a leak in the buried branch line. These signs deserve a prompt check, because a steady leak keeps the pump running more often, and a pump that cycles often tends to wear faster. A homeowner can often replace a washer or cartridge, but a leak in buried pipe calls for a licensed well contractor or plumber with the right tools.
What Outdoor Taps Are Not Good For
An outdoor spigot is rarely the right place to collect a drinking water sample. Hoses, dirt on the faucet, and exterior pipe runs can all affect what comes out. For a water test, use an indoor tap that is commonly used for drinking, such as a kitchen cold tap, and follow the lab's collection instructions. Any sample log should record which faucet was used.
A Simple Seasonal Routine
- In late summer or early fall, walk the outside of the house and check every outdoor faucet.
- Remove hoses, sprayers and attachments, then store them out of the weather.
- Look over the fittings and any covers after storms and after a hard freeze.
- Write the date and any problems in a simple log so the next season starts with a record.
When to Call for Help
Call a licensed well contractor or plumber if a buried line leaks, if a pipe has split, or if a faucet cannot be shut off. Water in a frozen line can expand and crack fittings, and some repairs require shutting the well system down safely. This page is an independent reference for Missouri private-well owners and does not replace the advice of a qualified local professional.