In this video, Ask This Old House Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey installs a house hydrant to replace a leaky outdoor spigot.

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Steps for Installing a House Hydrant

  • Turn off the water supply to the outdoor spigot.

  • Clean the cut point downstream of the water supply valve with an emery cloth.

  • Cut the pipe with a pipe cutter. Some excess water may drain out.

  • Unscrew the outdoor spigot using a screwdriver and remove it.

  • The house hydrant is round; using a pencil, outline the hydrant head on the siding.

  • Using an oscillating saw, cut out the outlined portion of the siding to fit the head.

  • Insert the new pipe and house hydrant head into the hole in the siding.

  • Place a bead of silicone caulking around the hydrant head and secure it with screws using a driver.

  • Place the operating bar inside the pipe until the O-ring is seated at the edge of the pipe and is even with the threads.

  • Connect the spring with a new piece of copper pipe by using a torch to solder the two together away from the new hydrant head pipe.

  • Use the torch to solder the remaining copper pipe connection back to the main water supply.

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