Plumbing and maintenance
Outside taps: backflow protection and winter care
At a glance
- A double check valve is required to prevent contaminated water being drawn back into the supply.
- The internal isolator lets the outside section be drained down each autumn, which prevents split pipework and taps.
How the system behaves
- A double check valve is required to prevent
- contaminated water being drawn back into the supply.
- The internal isolator lets the outside section be drained down each autumn
- which prevents split pipework and taps.
Questions we get asked
Can it be fitted anywhere?
Wherever a supply can be teed and the pipework can be run without long unheated exposed sections.
Do I need to lag it?
Draining down is better than lagging alone; a tap cover helps in mild frosts.
Where this fits with our work
Talk through outside taps with the person doing the work
Send a short description of the room and what you want to change. We'll come back with practical options rather than a brochure.