 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Frost-Proof Outdoor Shower & Faucets | |||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Here is my frost-proof outdoor shower with handy hot and cold faucets installed at my Cape Cod home. See photo at right. Two anti-siphon frost-proof hydrants (faucets) are attached to outdoor shower pipes. I had a professional machinist make simple modifications to the Arrowhead Apache 455 anti-siphon faucet for my outdoor shower. I designed a simple coupling that attaches to the outdoor shower pipes between the faucet valve (inside the house) and the anti-siphon and drain valves (outside the house). I added two brass caps screwed on to the hose outlets. This unit is code-compliant. Here is the new "improved" idea. I bought two 3/4" x 1/2" (bronze) tap tees - these fittings go into the 3/4" copper pipe that supplies the hot/cold water to the Arrowhead Apache 455 anti-siphon faucets. For modications, cut exactly 1" lengthwise out of the 3/4" copper pipe to the 455, and solder into both sides of the fitting. Any plumber can do this job. I think this new idea is a bit more elegant, and it does not leak. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The faucets are left turned on with the brass caps screwed on when showering. To use the faucets for hot water for washing the car, or cold water for watering the lawn, etc., the outdoor shower knobs are turned off, the brass caps are unscrewed, and the faucets are turned on. Either way, when the faucets are off, water in the hydrant drains out through the drain providing freeze protection. See photo of draining, below: | |||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| On Cape Cod, Mass. (and elsewhere in the north), many, many homes have outdoor showers, and this device would not have to be drained in winter. I have talked with counter-salesmen of plumbing-supply stores on the Cape and in the New York area, and various plumbers. They all agree that my idea is a good one. In fact, the head counter-salesman at Sachs Plumbing Supplies (Stamford, Conn.) feels my idea is such a good one that I should have it patented. |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| I wish the Arrowhead company or another manufacturer would offer a modified lawn hydrant like mine and sell it through plumbing-supply stores. If any readers want more details or plans free of charge, please write to me at [email protected] Sincerely, C. Richard Cryer |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||