The better weather is here, and it is now time for all avid gardeners to get out and enjoy the sunshine, as well as making sure that all of the plants are well cared for and watered.
Something that is essential to all keen gardeners is an outside tap. For connecting the hosepipe and filling the watering can, it makes caring for the garden much quicker and easier, especially during those long dry spells that we have in the summer months.
If your outside tap is not as good as it once was, it may now be a good time to replace it rather than struggling on. If you want to replace the tap yourself, here are some things that will help you.
Connect to the Mains Cold Water
The outside tap needs to be connected to a cold water pipe. This is usually found under the kitchen sink and should be the mains-pressure cold water supply. If it comes from a storage tank, you may find the pressure is poor.
Buy a Kit
The easiest way to install an outside tap is to buy a kit. Make sure it includes a double check valve, which is needed to stop water flowing back into the mains supply, and an isolating valve so you can turn the tap off from inside in winter. You may also need additional items such as copper pipe like this watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems, but check what is in the kit before you begin. You don’t want to get halfway through the job before realising that you don’t have a crucial part!
Turn Off the Water First
Before you begin, remember to turn off the water at the main stopcock! If you don’t, you could have a flood to deal with. Once everything is fitted correctly and all the fittings are tightened, you can turn the main water supply back on and check for leaks.
Plan Where It Will Go
Prepare the spot where your outside tap will go in advance. Make sure you know where all of the pipes and cables are running and do plenty of investigating beforehand. You don’t want to end up with holes drilled all over the wall in the wrong places! Insulating the outside pipework will also help protect it from frost. If you are not confident, use a qualified plumber.