I Ignored a Dripping Garden Tap All Winter — Then Found the Pipe Split in Spring

The Fix and Prevention

The split section has to come out. I replaced mine with a 12-inch length of ½-inch copper pipe and two sweat couplings — about $15 at Home Depot, plus $8 for flux and solder if you don’t already have them.

If you’re not confident soldering copper, PEX is more forgiving. You’ll need a crimping tool (around $30 to rent, $50 to buy), the pipe itself, and stainless crimp rings. Total for parts: $30 to $80 depending on what you have on hand.

A plumber will charge $200 to $400 for the repair, depending on access and local rates.

But here’s what actually prevents it: swap that standard hose bib for a frost-proof sillcock. These run $25 to $60 at Lowe’s or Ace, and the valve seat sits 6 to 12 inches inside the warm wall, so freezing air never reaches standing water.

And every October, shut off the interior supply valve and open the outside tap to drain the line completely. That’s it.

I installed a Prier P-164 frost-free sillcock ($38) and added a shutoff valve indoors. It took two hours. The pipe has been dry every winter since.