Hydrant interfaces
How you interface your outdoor water hydrant will depend more on where it fits in the outdoor line than on the pipe material (assuming it’s poly). Use T-fittings on in-line runs and elbows on end-of-the-run installations. Buy and assemble the best fittings you can afford. An investment now will save maintenance, costs, and labor later.
Installing hydrants
Installation for both in-line (using T-fittings) and end-of-the-run hydrants (using elbows) is basically the same. Follow these simple tips:
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Tip #1 Tape the interface fitting threads with Teflon tape;
Tip #2 Screw the fitting into the hydrant;
Tip #3 Slip the pipe on the fitting, and secure it with two all-stainless clamps on each side;
Tip #4 Set the hydrant in the trench, drop a bucket of gravel around the drain hole, and fill in the ditch.
Tip #5 To keep an end-of-the-run hydrant turned in the right direction, make the turn with the fitting, not the pipe.
PLUMBING TRADE SECRETS: When taking the lines to the hydrant through a concrete or block basement wall, punch out a hole for a PVC pipe slightly larger than the water line pipe. Use the PVC as a sleeve through the wall to protect the water line pipe from abrasion. Once in, caulk all around the joint to prevent water intrusion.
WHAT CAN GO WRONG: Just remember that this protective sleeve is not enough to prevent freezing. Other measures will have to be taken to protect the water line pipe when temperatures dip below freezing.
