Frozen/Burst Outdoor Pipe Question

Users who are viewing this thread

bh81

New Member
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Toronto, ON
Hi there,
Stupidly, we forgot to bring our outdoor hose in this year. I discovered it today, still attached. Obviously it was frozen solid. When I attempted to unscrew it at the bibb, the entire (sweated) bibb came clean off. There was ice inside the bibb as well as the first couple of inches of the copper pipe.

Now, the water supply to the outside was shutoff at the valve but it was obviously just never drained. My question involves whether I may have a burst pipe. It's an older home (built in 1959) and I'm 99% sure it was not a frostless bibb. Is there a simple way of telling if the portion of the pipe inside the wall has burst? Since the supply was off I wouldn't think it was but I'm concerned that if the sweated bibb came off with just a tug, there may have been a lot of pressure somewhere.

So, I guess I'm asking what my next steps are. Many thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,946
Reaction score
3,460
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
Regardless of what hosebib you had, you will still have some plumbing work to do.
Even with a frostfree bib, you would have needed to go farther back to find the end. A frost free can be anywhere from 6" to 12" long.

 
Last edited:

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,599
Reaction score
1,037
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
From what you have told us, there is not enough information to tell if the pipe broke, but since the hose faucet was "pushed" off the pipe, that should have relieved the pressure that would have burst the pipe.
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,771
Reaction score
1,191
Points
113
Location
New England
That must have been a poor solder joint if it failed, but it may have saved you. There are at least a few frostfree silcocks that can drain even if you leave a hose on. You might want to consider looking into one of those for your repair (in the spring when things unfreeze!).
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks