Freeze Proof Outdoor Water Faucets

A drip from a freezeproof outdoor water faucet is repaired just like one from any stem faucet, by replacing the washer. The difference is in taking apart one of these devices, specially built to prevent freezing in sub-zero weather. The packing nut and stem require several extra steps to disassemble.

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Drips are a common problem with these faucets because their design leads many people to turn the faucet off too hard, causing unnecessary wear on the stem washer. The faucet is installed at a slight tilt toward the outside walls, so that when the handle is turned off, the small amount of water remaining in the faucet body continues to run out of the spout until the body is completely empty.

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This draining action makes the faucet freezeproof, of course, but instead of waiting a minute for the trickle to stop, homeowners unfamiliar with the mechanism often try to turn off the faucet harder and thus wear out the washer.

All the parts of a standard stem faucet are present in a freezeproof faucet, but the sloped, elongated body of the faucet allows the stem to stop the flow of water inside the house, where the temperature stays above the freezing point. Water remaining in the exposed body drains out of the spout.

Are you having a hard time replacing a stem washer on a freezeproof outdoor faucet? If so, here's a tricky technique for an elusive washer:

First, remove the handle screw and the handle. Unscrew the hexagonal packing nut--it is designed to come off, even though the faucet body may appear to be all of one piece with the stem projecting from it. Then put the handle back on the stem.

Turn the handle counter-clockwise to unscrew the washer end of the stem from the faucet body. Then pull the handle away from the faucet body. If the stem cannot be budged this way--the packing holds it very tight--remove the handle, set a pair of locking-grip pliers over the round part of the stem and pull the stem free. Then replace the washer in the ordinary way.

Freeze Proof Outdoor Water Faucets

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Outdoor Pole Lights

Outdoor pole lights can add beauty and functionality to your outdoor lighting scheme. Pole lights were once restricted to highways and parking lots but times have changed. Many landscape designers are using this type of outdoor lights as an important part of some of their award winning designs. Just think of the "wow" factor that is added to a landscape design by a well positioned wrought iron pole light! With the additional of some hanging baskets you can have something that looks like it is right out of a magazine.

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The first things you need to consider is the actual placement of the light. In order to properly consider the placement you need to think about your goals. Are the lights or light intended to be primarily functional or for aesthetic effect or perhaps both. If the lights are needed to be functional, for example along a long driveway then we might need more than one. As with all landscaping design elements, it best to have things in uneven numbers, ie 1 or 3 or 5. In some cases a single pole light can work magic. A nice light positioned at the junction of the driveway and the walk to the front steps gives a touch of class to most homes.

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It is possible to get outdoor pole lighting at a variety of home renovation stores including Home Depot, Canadian Tire, and Lowes. These lights come in a variety of materials and are priced accordingly. The most common materials include wrought iron, cast iron, and aluminum. The most durable will be the most expensive and also the heaviest. The different models can range very modern designs with simple straight lines and square globes to very beautiful and intricate scroll work with antique shaped globes.

As people begin to spend more time in their outdoor space, they are beginning to care more and more landscape design. Decks and patios are becoming more elaborate and patio furniture has come to resemble furniture more commonly found in living rooms. The advent and popularity of the outdoor pole lights is just another step in this trend to make more use of our outdoor space.

Outdoor Pole Lights

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