Cracked Pipes Causing Outdoor Faucet Leaks? We Have Tips

Turning on your outdoor faucet only to be greeted by water gushing out from cracks and loose pipe connections is annoying and potentially damaging. But what causes these irritating cracks and how can you diagnose, repair, and prevent burst pipes outside?

Signs Your Outdoor Faucet May Have a Cracked Pipe

Pay attention to these signs when you turn on your outdoor spigot or hose bibb:

• Water leaks from pipe joints and connections rather than the faucet itself
• Visible cracks or splits in the exposed pipe
• Leaks even when the shut-off valve is closed
• No pipe insulation present or existing insulation is waterlogged or damaged

What Causes Cracked Pipes at Outdoor Faucets

Burst or cracked pipes supplying exterior faucets commonly result from:

Freezing Temperatures

Just one harsh winter can damage pipes. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands putting immense pressure on the walls until cracks form. Thawed ice then leaks from these cracks when the faucet turns on.

Pipes not properly drained and winterized are especially vulnerable. Lingering water pockets freeze more readily than flowing water drained from the system.

Pipe Materials and Age

Corroded galvanized steel or iron pipes crack more readily than copper, PEX or CPVC. Old pipes are generally more corrosion-prone and brittle.

High Water Pressure

Pressure fluctuations in the supply system places stress on connecting joints. Cracks typically form at thread points and elbows first. Eventually, high pressure causes complete ruptures.

Diagnosing and Locating Pipe Cracks

Start diagnosis by observing exactly where leaking originates from. Water emanating from pipe joints or elbow connectors likely indicates cracks versus leaks right at the faucet body pointing to interior seal failure.

For hairline cracks, specialized leak detection dye introduced into the plumbing system can aid spotting fractured areas. Larger cracks may be apparent to the naked eye.

Lastly, for difficult to find cracks, pressure testing procedures help indicate which pipe section is split even without a visible leak. Consulting a professional plumber is advisable for diagnosis.

Repairing vs Replacing Cracked Pipes

Factors to Consider

Whether to repair or fully replace depends firstly on the number and location of cracks. Single hairline fractures are better to repair but multiple bursting spots indicate systemic issues needing full pipe replacements. Repipes are also better if cracks occur close to pipe ends rather than the middle.

The existing pipe material also determines feasibility of repairs. PVC cracks easier to patch than corroded steel or iron. Lastly, cost is a factor if extensive repiping is required.

Temporary Repairs

For small leaks, clamping cracked areas with bolt clamps can provide temporary relief, as can applying specialized leak-blocking epoxies.

Replacing Pipes

For permanent crack resolution, pipes may need replacing with new copper, CPVC or polyethylene tubing. Ensure to install access panels to aid future maintenance.

Encasing new pipework in protective foam insulation helps prevent recurrence of cracks from freezing while allowing for expansion and contraction.

Preventing Outdoor Faucet Pipe Cracks

Insulate Pipes

Ensuring pipe insulation remains intact is the best method to avoid cracks from winter freezes. Foam sleeves or UL-rated heat tapes applied directly to pipes maintains above freezing temperatures.

Maintain Protective Enclosures

For colder regions, installing faucets inside insulated enclosures rather than exposing external hardware protects against freezing. Cracks still happen if enclosure insulation fails so maintain carefully.

Install Frost-Proof Faucets

Frost-proof sillcocks have faucet bodies that sit several inches behind your home's outer wall inside the warmer envelope. Only the threaded water spout pokes outside, minimizing freeze risk.

Ensuring pipes are fully drained before winter prevents leftover water pockets from freezing and expands inside. Shut off indoor and outdoor valves then open outdoor faucets to drain residual water out.

Following these prevention methods plus regularly inspecting exterior plumbing for early crack detection allows you to avoid annoying gushing leaks from damaged pipes when you turn your outdoor faucet on.