Can a freeze-proof hydrant freeze? The answer is yes. A freeze-proof hydrant is simply a yard hydrant that is built for year-round use, even in freezing temperatures. These hydrants are equipped with a drain back system that allows water to be pulled back down below the freezing point after each use.
In a perfect world, these hydrants would work flawlessly even in the most frigid of winters. However, these hydrants can run into trouble in a couple of different ways.
Garden Hose
The first and most common way a yard hydrant freezes during the winter is by forgetting to remove a garden hose from the hydrant after use.
While the drain-back system for the hydrant is a brilliant feature, it struggles with the extra distance and weight a garden hose can add. It doesn’t have the strength to pull all the extra water and distance that are inside the hose. During the winter months, this leads to freezing and potentially breaking of the yard hydrant. It is best to remove your garden hose and roll it out after each use anytime there is a potential for freezing temperatures.
Leaking Hydrant
An obvious cause of a frozen freeze-proof hydrant would be a leak. Anytime water comes in contact with the hydrant during freezing temperatures, there is a chance for freezing.
Leaking hydrants pose a risk of freezing during cold weather. To mitigate this risk, immediate repair of the leak or replacement of the entire freeze-proof hydrant is recommended. If you don’t have time to repair or replace your freeze-proof hydrant, turn the valve supplying water to the hydrant off. All of these options will greatly reduce the chance of freezing.
Plugged Drain Back
Another way a freeze-proof hydrant can freeze is a plugged drain back. If water can not properly drain out of the bottom of the hydrant, water can pool in the standpipe. The water in the standpipe that is above the frost line can freeze, not allowing water to properly flow in or out of the freeze-proof hydrant. A result of this would be not being able to move the handle of the hydrant head.
Never Worry About a Frozen Hydrant
Installing a Hydrant Assist Kit can prevent your yard hydrant from freezing. You don’t have to worry about it during the winter months.
A Hydrant Assist Kit (HAK) is a freeze-proof hydrant encasement system, which, once installed, allows a hydrant to be repaired or replaced from the surface—no need for digging or excavating. The HAK works with any waterline type or size and at any depth!
If your hydrant freezes with a HAK, you can pour boiling water down the encasement and unthaw the hydrant. You can then remove the hydrant and thaw it in a warm location like a shed or house. Even if you forget to remove the garden hose in freezing temps, a HAK can save your hydrant.
