Outside Tap Problems

FlipFlopHatch

Morning everybody!

We have recently moved into our first home... (first time buyers! Yay!) and slowly getting round to updating everything to make it our own.

Anyway it's been a bit frosty recently and we noticed the wall around our outside tap was looking damp! We have turned the water off inside and I'm wondering what's caused this and how to fix it !!!

My partner is quite handy but I thought best to get some ideas before hand.

Many thanks in advance !!

Apodemus

On a nice, sunny, dry day, I would turn it back on and see if you can find the source of the dampness. It may simply be a very slight leak from where the pipe joins the tap, or it may simply be that the tap has been dripping (either not turned off properly or needing a new washer). Once you know the problem, it will be pretty easy to fix - almost certainly a DIY job.

Unless you live somewhere with a more extreme climate, it is unlikely that it has been cold enough recently for you to have had a burst pipe.

Sicard

Also if there's any pipe showing it's a good idea to wrap it with that pipe insulation foam.

Grenage

Take some pictures. Could be a leak on the pipework where it passes through the wall, or from a joint. Are you able to see the pipework as it comes through the wall, and does it appear damp?

Ectophile

It might also be that the pipe has cracked where it goes through the wall. That could happen if it's frozen solid during the winter.

G_M

Sicard wrote: »

Also if there's any pipe showing it's a good idea to wrap it with that pipe insulation foam.

though bear in mind this will just slow down the heat loss. It won't prevent the water in the pipe freezing if a cold spell continues.

Outside taps should always be isolated indoors somewhere in winter.