Outdoor Plumbing

It covers the water lines and fixtures outside your home — hose bibs and outdoor faucets, irrigation and sprinkler lines, the main water line from the street, outdoor kitchens, pool and spa fills, and exterior drains. Some of it overlaps with landscaping and sewer work. A licensed plumber can handle the water-carrying parts and tell you what falls to another trade.

Outdoor faucets, also called hose bibs or spigots, commonly leak from a worn washer, a cracked valve after a freeze, or a loose packing nut. A small drip can waste a lot of water and, if the leak is inside the wall, can quietly damage the structure. A licensed plumber can pinpoint whether it's a simple washer or a split pipe behind the wall.

A frost-free hose bib is an outdoor faucet designed so the water shuts off inside the heated wall, away from freezing air, which helps prevent burst pipes in winter. If you live where it freezes and your spigot isn't frost-free, a plumber can swap it out. It's a common upgrade in cold climates.

Disconnect and drain hoses, shut off the water to outdoor faucets and irrigation, and drain any exposed lines before the first hard freeze. Sprinkler systems often need to be blown out with compressed air. If you're not sure where the shutoffs are, a local plumber can winterize the system and show you the process.

Some do, and many handle the water supply connection, backflow preventer, and shutoffs even when a separate irrigation specialist lays the sprinkler heads. Backflow prevention on an irrigation line is often required by code to protect your drinking water. Look for plumbers whose profiles mention irrigation or backflow work.

A backflow preventer is a valve that stops outside water — from a sprinkler line, hose, or pool — from being siphoned back into your clean water supply. Many areas require one on irrigation systems and some outdoor connections, with periodic testing. A licensed plumber can install one and, if certified, test it.

The underground main water line, or service line, that runs from the meter to your home is typically the homeowner's responsibility from the meter onward. A licensed plumber diagnoses leaks in this line and repairs or replaces it, sometimes with trenchless methods that avoid digging up the whole yard. Find plumbers who list water line or service line work.

Signs include an unexplained jump in water use, soggy or unusually green patches in the yard, low water pressure, or the sound of running water when everything's off. Underground leaks are easy to miss until damage shows. A plumber with leak detection tools can locate it without tearing up the whole yard.

Yes — a licensed plumber can tap into an existing water line and run a new hose bib to a convenient spot, ideally a frost-free one if you get freezes. They'll make sure it has a proper shutoff and doesn't compromise water pressure indoors. It's a common request for gardens, garages, and back patios.

An outdoor kitchen usually needs a water supply line, a drain for the sink, and sometimes a gas line for the grill. These lines have to be rated for outdoor and, in cold climates, freeze conditions. A licensed plumber can run the water and gas connections and coordinate with the rest of the build.

Yes. Outdoor plumbing generally refers to the pressurized water lines and exterior fixtures, while the sewer lateral and septic system carry wastewater away — those are usually treated as their own categories. Some jobs cross over, so a plumber can point you to the right specialty if needed. Check profiles for the specific service you need.

Insulate exposed pipes, install frost-free hose bibs, disconnect hoses in fall, and shut off and drain outdoor lines before a freeze. In very cold snaps, letting an indoor faucet drip can help. A local plumber can add insulation, heat tape, or frost-free fixtures where you're most at risk.

Yes, but outdoor gas lines must be installed by a qualified professional and usually require a permit and inspection because of the safety risk. A licensed plumber or gas fitter can size the line, install it to code, and test for leaks. Look for pros who list gas line work on their profiles.

Ideally, yes. Many homes have interior shutoff valves dedicated to outdoor faucets so you can turn them off and drain the exterior line before winter. If yours doesn't, a plumber can add shutoffs or replace the faucets with frost-free ones. It's a simple way to avoid a burst pipe.

It's a small anti-siphon device on an outdoor faucet that stops contaminated water — say from a hose sitting in a puddle or pool — from being drawn back into your drinking water. Many codes require them on hose bibs. A plumber can add or replace one quickly.

Look for licensed, insured local plumbers whose profiles mention outdoor plumbing, water lines, irrigation, or backflow, depending on your job. Confirm they cover your service area and have the right tools for underground work if needed. The directory lets you compare nearby pros and contact them directly.

Often, yes. For some underground line problems, plumbers use trenchless methods that repair or replace the pipe through small access points instead of a long trench, which spares your landscaping. Whether it's an option depends on the pipe and the damage. Ask plumbers who list trenchless or water line work.

Start with licensed, insured plumbers in your area who handle the specific outdoor work you need, then compare their service areas, specialties, and reviews. Reach out to a couple to describe the job. The directory makes it easy to shortlist local pros and reach one directly.