I just got a new frost free hydrant installed to convert my barn from cistern to county water. It’s on the sunny, front side of my barn, in a high spot that drains well. I don’t anticipate issues but I am going mad because I thought it’d be cute and practical to put a wooden box around it, with appropriate access to it. Wasn’t that a historic thing - a rectangular, wooden cover, often with hooks for buckets? I’ve tried a ton of searches, and come up empty. Am I mixed up on what those old-timey wooden boxes were housing?
We have use clay chimney flue squares to put over hydrants and “dress” them:
They fit slipped over the handle at an angle, then turn it so the faucet when open flows outside the clay flue.
Any fireplace store should have those, or builders will know where to buy those.
You can cut an old car inner tube to size, add inside the clay flue and over the hydrant and fill with wadded-up newspapers to add insulation to the pipe for winter.
Was thinking of something similar since last year my hydrant froze. Would the clay flues offer any protection from freezing temps?
A frost-free faucet drains into gravel at the base. There shouldn’t be anything exposed to freeze. If it gets cold enough to freeze the bits that are buried, then how is covering up the empty exposed pipe going to help?
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As noted, I don’t think the water inside will freeze, as it’s properly installed. Only risk there that I’m aware of is if the water doesn’t drain below the water line. But it gets cold here, with snow, and the actual handle can freeze, where you have to bang it to break the ice, etc. In addition, if you have to remove/attach a hose, it’s nice to keep it covered so it’s not buried in snow, either. Plus, it’s just ugly, IMO, so I think a decorative box is a nice touch vs. the bright orange-red colored handle.
If cold enough, some do freeze from when you use them to when they drain completely.
Those we have protected as described above and it helped, they didn’t freeze after that.
My plumber said some that were exposed and drained properly would freeze here when it’s negative temps. I do think a housing would help, and not hurt at the very least. I plan to do it for aesthetics and any potential weather protection as well, and will use some type of insulation inside the housing. AND I figured out what I was thinking about - antique wooden water pumps - so not really a housing, but the actual hydrant was wooden and I’ve seen those on really old farms. Anyway, at least I was finally able to see some pics for inspiration!
