Tapping into your existing water system to install a drip irrigation system, a sprinkler system or even a backyard water fountain is simple, inexpensive and can be fun. But, there is a danger.
Most hardware stores and home centers stock an array of wye and tee-shaped adapters that can be added to the end of a hose bib or sill cock (an outside faucet). In that way, the faucet can continue to be used with your garden hose while providing an additional outlet for a second water accessory. Unfortunately, these add-on contraptions seal with rubber washers making them somewhat temporary. And, they can be unsightly.
If you use the proper fittings and devices, you can permanently tap into an existing waterline inexpensively. And it's more pleasing to the eye than a bulky add-on device. Although it can be a simple task to tie into the existing water system from under the house, not everyone has a sub-area or basement. An outside faucet is a convenient place to make a permanent connection, even if your home has a concrete floor. Actually, most of the time the outside faucet is also the easiest place to tap into.
The task is easy. But remember, before beginning you must turn off the water to your house. More often than not a drip or a slight flow of water will persist even though the main water valve has been shut off. Don't be concerned. Except for a slight loss of water, no damage will be done.
First, you will want to remove the faucet. It is often difficult to grip the pipe to which the faucet is connected. If this is the case, don't worry. Removing the pipe and the faucet together normally won't harm anything. However, if water is leaking through the system, a new pipe (nipple) will have to be used to quickly replace the one that was removed to prevent water from leaking into the wall cavity or sub-area. The threads of the new nipple should be coated with joint compound or wrapped with plastic joint tape. Either will provide a waterproof connection. If the correct length nipple isn't available, use any size to redirect the water until the proper nipple is acquired.
Once the proper nipple is in place, the dual connection can begin. And all it takes is a plumbing fitting called a tee (it is shaped like the letter T.) One side of the tee is connected to the existing nipple, one side can be fitted with a very short nipple so that you can reinstall your old faucet, and the third side (facing the ground) is used for the new connection. Regardless of your intended use, the new connection should be fitted with two safety devices: a shut-off valve and a backflow prevention device (bpd). Only after following these safety procedures should the final connection to a built-in watering system be made. The shut-off valve will make it easy for you to repair the new watering system should something go awry, and the bpd will prevent garden poisons from entering your potable water system a once-common problem. And, by the way, don't forget to mount a bpd on the tip of your faucet as well. Install one made of brass, tighten the retainer and break off the part of the retainer that protrudes. This ensures that it will not be accidentally removed.
If your plumbing system is soldered copper, we strongly recommend that you check into an adult education training course, or hire a plumber for an hour and learn how to solder copper pipe. The torch and tools you will need will cost you under $30. We find that soldering copper is far more simple than working with threaded pipe. And in fact, for bigger do-it-yourself plumbing projects, copper is much cheaper to install.
