A leaking yard hydrant can be a major pain, and if not dealt with, can lead to much bigger problems. Some leaks can be a quick and easy fix, others not so much. In this blog, we will go over different types of leaking yard hydrant problems and how to potentially fix them. We will also cover one product that can help make both repairs and replacements quick and easy! We’ve been in the well business for over 50 years so we have seen our fair share of yard hydrants problems.
Before we get too far in, we should first define what a leak is. When the handle on the yard hydrant is not lifted, any flow of water from the hydrant or ground constitutes a leak. Leaks can come in many different forms, but for this blog, we are going to split them into two main categories. The first category is Above Ground Leaks, and the second is Below Ground Leaks.
Above-Ground Leaks
Above-ground leaks come from areas such as the hydrant head or the top of the standpipe. Depending on the type of hydrant, there can be leaks in other areas as well, such as leaks from the packing nut. These leaks have a much better chance of a short and easy fix. The most common above-ground leak comes in cold climates, from freezes and breaks in the wintertime. Being outdoors 24/7, hydrants must endure the elements year-round. Freezing temperatures can cause cracks and breaks in pipes with standing water.
Another very common mistake in cold climates is leaving a garden hose attached to the yard hydrant. Each frost-free hydrant has a drain back, allowing it to suck water from within the hydrant back underground below the frost line. This prevents standing water from being in freezing temperatures which can lead to cracks and breaks. When a garden hose is attached, the drain back can’t pull that standing water out of the hose and hydrant together, leaving water above the frost line.
Below-Ground Leaks
In general, below-ground leaks are a bigger problem than above-ground leaks. Not only can you not see the problem without digging up the hydrant, but you don’t know the magnitude of the issue until you can lay an eye on the source.
A common cause of below ground leaks can be corrosion. Corrosion occurs when the hydrant’s standpipe comes into contact with the surrounding dirt and mixes with rain or salt. Early signs of corrosion would be a slight drop in pressure when the yard hydrant is turned on. If corrosion eats through your standpipe like the picture below, you will need to dig up and replace your entire yard hydrant.
Another common issue that leads to a leaking yard hydrant is a waterline break. This can happen from a sharp object poking a hole in the line, or the line becoming completely unattached to the yard hydrant through the ground shifting. If the waterline is not fully attached to the hydrant, it can cause underground leaks that require fixing.
Underground leaks can sometimes take a long time to make their way to the surface. If there is a pin-sized hole in your waterline, it will take a while to make it to the surface. On the other hand, when the waterline disconnects completely from the hydrant, the water will make it to the surface within minutes. This can make below-ground leaks even tricker to find and fix.
Cost Beyond Hydrant Replacement
When you have a leaking yard hydrant, it can result in more costs than just replacing the hydrant. Leaks can put massive amounts of pressure on your well pump, which can be extremely costly to replace. By constantly being on, the pump can burn out much faster than normal. One of the best ways to ensure you can fix a leaking yard hydrant fast is a Hydrant Assist Kit.
A Hydrant Assist Kit (HAK) is a frost-free hydrant encasement system. Once installed, allows a hydrant to be repaired or replaced from the surface—no need for digging or excavating. If you have a leaking hydrant, you can easily remove the hydrant from the ground for repairs. The HAK works with any waterline type or size and at any depth! The HAK provides easy hydrant replacement in difficult areas and can be easily maintained in a wide variety of applications. And there’s a HAK available to fit any hydrant manufactured!
If you want to learn more about the Hydrant Assist Kit, head over to the All About the HAK page!
