Outdoor tap leaking or damaged after winter
Common Causes
- Standard (non-frost-free) hose bib left connected to garden hose in fall — water in the tap freezes and cracks the body
- Frost-free hose bib installed without adequate slope back to the home, retaining water
- Missing or failed anti-siphon vacuum breaker
Licensed professional required. Do not attempt this yourself — improper work can cause injury, property damage, or void your insurance.
When to Call a Pro
- Outdoor tap is leaking at the stem or from inside the wall when used
- Indoor shut-off valve for the outdoor tap is corroded and needs replacement
- You want to upgrade to a frost-free (anti-siphon) hose bib
Alberta Context
Alberta's National Plumbing Code and many municipal bylaws require anti-siphon (vacuum breaker) protection on outdoor hose bibs to prevent backflow contamination of the drinking water supply. Any new outdoor tap installation must include an approved backflow preventer. Frost-free hose bibs (with stems 20-30cm long that drain water back inside the wall) are highly recommended in Alberta's climate and are required by many newer Alberta homes' construction specifications.