Outdoor tap drain down in Ottery St Mary
Looking for professional outdoor tap drain down help in Ottery St Mary? Hembury Contracting provides reliable garden help services across Ottery St Mary and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30 mins - 1 hr
Location
Ottery St Mary
Outside tap drained down properly before winter. Internal isolation valve turned off, pipe drained, tap left safe from frost damage - ready to turn back on when spring arrives.
### That Surprise Spring Flood
Picture this: **first nice day in March, you go to fill the watering can, turn the tap... and water starts pissing out through the brickwork** instead of the spout. The pipe froze solid in January, split clean through, and now you've got a plumbing emergency on your hands.
Or you could spend ten minutes in November draining it down. Your call.
> 💡 **Pro tip:** Even modern "frost-proof" taps benefit from draining down in severe weather. Better safe than sorry when it's minus five for a week.
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### More Than Just Turning A Tap Off
People think they can just turn the outside tap off and job done. Doesn't work like that:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Half-Arsed Job | |--------------|------------------| | Isolation valve inside turned off | Just turned outside tap off | | Pipe drained completely | Water sitting in pipe all winter | | Tap left open for drainage | Tap closed (traps water) | | System checked for issues | Just hoped for the best |
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### What You Get
**🔧 The Drain-Down Process**
| Stage | What Happens | |-------|--------------| | **Locate** | Find the internal isolation valve for your outside tap | | **Isolate** | Turn off the valve to stop water reaching the outside pipe | | **Drain** | Open outside tap, let pipe drain completely | | **Check** | Make sure it's draining properly, look for issues | | **Leave safe** | Tap left open, valve off, system winterized |
**📦 You're Left With** - Fully drained outside tap - No risk of freeze damage - Instructions for turning it back on in spring - Peace of mind
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### Pricing Guide
| Service | Time | You'll Pay | |---------|------|------------| | Single outside tap drain-down | 30 mins - 1 hr | **£60** | | Multiple taps | Add 15 mins each | **+£25 per tap** |
*Based on £60 minimum. If there's issues (no isolation valve, stuck valve, etc.), I'll let you know what's needed.*
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### Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ **Going away over winter** - don't risk coming home to a flood
✅ **Elderly relatives** - do it for them so they don't have to worry
✅ **Holiday home** - empty properties are most at risk
✅ **Outside tap you can't reach** - high-up taps or awkward access
Why Choose Us for Outdoor tap drain down in Ottery St Mary?
Tap properly drained to prevent freezing
Internal isolation valve turned off
System checked for potential issues
Peace of mind through cold snaps
What to Expect
### Step 1: Find The Isolation Valve Most outside taps have an isolation valve somewhere inside - usually in the kitchen, utility room, or under the stairs. I'll locate it (they're often hiding behind appliances). ### Step 2: Shut Off & Drain Valve turned off to stop water flowing to the outside. Then I'll open the outside tap fully and let the pipe drain. If there's a drain valve on the isolation, I'll use that too to make sure it's completely empty. ### Step 3: Leave It Safe Outside tap left open (so any remaining water can escape), inside valve clearly marked as "OFF FOR WINTER", and I'll show you exactly what I've done so you can turn it back on in spring.
Our Ottery St Mary Service Coverage
We cover Ottery St Mary and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Ottery St Mary or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> ❄️ **When to drain down:** Check the forecast. If it's going below freezing for more than a night or two, get it drained. Better a week early than a day late. **No isolation valve?** If your outside tap doesn't have an inside isolation valve, it's worth getting a plumber to fit one. Makes drain-down easy, and also useful if the tap ever needs replacing - you won't have to drain the whole house. **Multiple taps:** If you've got several outside taps (front, back, side), they likely all have separate isolation valves. Drain them all - it's the one you forget that always freezes. **Modern taps:** Some newer outside taps have drain-down valves built in. Look for a small square or screwdriver slot on the tap body. But you still need to turn off the isolation valve first. **Devon winters:** We don't always get hard frosts, but when we do they can be brutal. I see burst outside taps every year - usually after a cold snap in February when people think they've got away with it. Don't be that person.
Frequently Asked Questions about Outdoor tap drain down in Ottery St Mary
Why do outside taps need draining down?
Water left in the pipe freezes when it gets cold, expands, and cracks the pipe or tap. You won't know until spring when you turn it back on and water pisses out through the split pipe inside your wall. Draining prevents this expensive disaster.
Can't I just put a cover on the tap?
Those foam tap covers help a bit, but they don't drain the pipe. Water still sits in the pipework behind the tap, and that's what freezes and cracks. Proper draining means turning off the isolation valve inside and draining the pipe completely.
When should I get the tap drained down?
Before the first hard frost - usually late October/early November in Devon. We get caught out some years with an early cold snap, so better to do it in October and not worry about it.
Can I use the tap again before spring?
Yes - just turn the isolation valve back on inside and run the tap to fill the pipe. But you'll need to drain it down again before the next frost. Or just wait until March/April and save yourself the hassle.
What if my tap doesn't have an isolation valve inside?
Then you can't fully drain it, and you're relying on the tap cover doing its job. If that's the case, I'd recommend getting an isolation valve fitted by a plumber - makes winter drain-down much easier and safer.
Get a Free Quote in Ottery St Mary
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01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Ottery St Mary
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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