Outside tap - timber framed house

SallyDucati

Hi all!

Just after a bit of knowledge/opinions, any on this current conundrum of mine will be gratefully received.

Basically, last year I moved into a new build timber framed house. I would now like to get someone to install an outside tap to make watering all the pots and baskets I have put in my back garden easier, but am concerned about breaching any essential membrane type stuff due to it being timber framed.

Does anyone know how much of an issue this would be?

Ta in advance!

Sally

jennifernil

Our house is timber frame, but 31 years old, drilling through the wall to fit an outside tap would not worry me.

Do you have say an under sink cupboard where you want this tap outside?

If so, I would take a branch off the pipe under the sink, fit a stopcock there then run it out through the wall using plastic pipe and fit the outside tap to the outer wall. I would use some silicone to seal inside and out round the pipe, and ensure the pipe slopes slightly downwards to the outside.

In winter you should turn off the internal stopcock and leave the outer tap open to drain any water in case of frost.

Make sure to drill at a point between the timber frame members, these can be located by tapping the internal wall or using a stud locator.

stragglebod

And make sure you fit a check valve inside the house so water can't flow back from the tap to the supply.

SallyDucati

jennifernil wrote: »

Our house is timber frame, but 31 years old, drilling through the wall to fit an outside tap would not worry me.

Do you have say an under sink cupboard where you want this tap outside?

If so, I would take a branch off the pipe under the sink, fit a stopcock there then run it out through the wall using plastic pipe and fit the outside tap to the outer wall. I would use some silicone to seal inside and out round the pipe, and ensure the pipe slopes slightly downwards to the outside.

In winter you should turn off the internal stopcock and leave the outer tap open to drain any water in case of frost.

Make sure to drill at a point between the timber frame members, these can be located by tapping the internal wall or using a stud locator.

Thanks for all the info! Now to find someone to do it. I can put up a curtain rail etc. and build flat pack furniture but think this is beyond me!

Grenage

stragglebod wrote: »

And make sure you fit a check valve inside the house so water can't flow back from the tap to the supply.

Don't all external taps come with double check valves these days?

stragglebod

No, and I'd prefer an intenal one over one that might be subject to frost damage outside.

Davesnave

stragglebod wrote: »

No, and I'd prefer an intenal one over one that might be subject to frost damage outside.

I have around a dozen outdoor taps and I can confirm the check valves don't last long in the frost!

Mistral001

If you are worried about moisture travelling along the underside of the pipe and not dripping off before it gets to the inside leaf of wall, which theoretically is possible, then drill the hole at a slight angle down going from inside to out. That way water will not travel along the pipe to the inside.