Frost Free Hydrant
- Brand matters. Reports of life from 1-5 years for really crappy ones, others are more like decades of life [1]
- OSE experience - galvanized pipe corrodes over 9 years - see bottom of hydrant all corroded in album [2]. In album picture, brass seems to eat galvanized through electrolytic action - [3]
- Note some soils can be very corrosive [4]
- PVC and plastic lasts indefinitely [5]
- Galvanized pipes last between 20-50 years [6]
Replacement
- The ultimate solution is the Pitless Adapter in terms of replacement. Slide-in connection, no dig required. Saves huge costs of excavation-replacement
OSE Campus Policy Recommendation
Frost free hydrants should be used strategically. In large open areas where stock watering is required - absolutely. But nowhere else. Expect maintenance of valves, and replament every decade or two. This is especially challenging if other lines such as electrical or internet complicate routing. Conclusion: do not use freeze-proof hydrants unless absolutely necessary. Absolutely necessary means ONLY daily supply in freezing weather. Not summer watering/pools/filling. Those should be in non-frost areas, or rolled up in winter. Long supply line is cheap ($100 for 1000 feet [7]).
Furthermore, when installing freeze-proof hydrants - use a Pitless Adapter for easy replacement.
Pitless Adapter
- 1-1/4" - $40 [8]
- 1-1/4" reducer to 3/4" - [9]
- Hydrant - [10]. Note max 80 PSI, so this can't be used on house supply side unless pressure reduction is achieved upstream. This is not readily done without a 'water pit' or water supply house earlier on in the system.
- Hydrant repair kit - [11]
