Home sweet home is for the birds!

Insulated covers that are designed to cover outside faucets are very common. It seems that the word about these covers has gotten out so well, that most people think that all outside faucets should have them. I find that I am just as likely to see them on faucets that are “frost-free,” as I am to find them on outside faucets that can freeze.

In modern construction all outside faucets are required to be frost-free type and have an anti-siphon component as well. In this first picture we can see a cover that is poorly installed and that will not protect the faucet from freezing at all-----and this is a type that needs protecting.

Installing these covers on faucets that do not need them will not likely create any real problem other than annoy the inspector that has to take them all off to test the faucets----and be a waste of money and natural resources. Some of these covers can take a couple of minutes to get off and a couple of more to get them back on. This is not a fun part of the inspection when it is 20 degrees outside. Some of them have cinch type attachments that make removal and installation very easy.

While the previous picture does nothing for the faucet and possible freezing of pipes, it did make a wonderful home for some lucky birds.

Charles Buell

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DeCroe, is my "etherial" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.