Latest Discussions : Plumbing

05:24PM | 11/03/12

Member Since: 12/31/03
23 lifetime posts

Winterizing Hose Bibs

Tags: Plumbing

So just moved into a TH a few months ago, this is the first time I need to winterize my home. See attached picture of what my hose bib lines look like. I have 1 hose bib in the backyard and 1 in the garage.

When I try to turn off the top one water starts squirting out of the little hole (you see under the knob)

I'm unable to turn the bottom one (though I didnt try hard because I didnt want it to break) but I did notice the bottom one has a cap on hole below the valve.

Is the top one suppose to be missing? Should I be able to just turn both off?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

HowardPM

05:25PM | 11/03/12

Member Since: 12/31/03
23 lifetime posts

Close up of valves

HowardPM

05:25PM | 11/03/12

Member Since: 12/31/03
23 lifetime posts

Close up of upper valve

LarryG

08:29AM | 11/04/12

Member Since: 07/22/04
649 lifetime posts

To me it sounds as if they are both off already and the top one is missing the bleed cap. Lefty loosey righty tighty? Anyway those are called stop and waste valves. After you close them down you open the outdoor faucet, then loosen the bleed to drain the water out of the line. In the spring you close the little bleed screw and then turn the water back on.

HowardPM

04:40PM | 11/04/12

Member Since: 12/31/03
23 lifetime posts

So just double checked, the one in the backyard is off and I'm pretty sure by tracing the water line that goes to the one without the bleed cap. The one in the garage is still on but I can't turn that one either way.

Knowing that I guess I should still purchase a new cap come summer or I'll never be able to turn the back one on.

LarryG

06:17AM | 11/05/12

Member Since: 07/22/04
649 lifetime posts

Since you know it's on it needs to be turned clockwise to close it. Maybe with a rag on the handle and support the valve with your other hand so pipe don't break or bend.