4 Signs Your Outdoor Faucet Is Too Low to the Ground and How to Fix It
Don’t let a short spigot keep you feeling low
Highlights
A low outdoor faucet can be hard to find and reach when you need it.
If the faucet is too low, it can slow water flow by bending the hose too much.
Some tools, like hose elbows and stands, can make water easier to access.
The best solution is to work with a plumber to relocate the faucet.
It’s time to water the garden, but in addition to the back-breaking work of pulling all your weeds, you also have to crouch down to access the outdoor hose and faucet, leaving your knees creaking in pain. Why is your outdoor faucet too low to the ground, and how do you know when it’s time to fix it?
There are some common signs, aside from a little knee pain, that your faucet is too low. Luckily, there are also some easy ways to fix it, whether you decide to go the DIY route or hire a pro to help you relocate the spigot.
1. You Can’t Find the Faucet
If you struggle to find the faucet connection every time you’re ready to use the hose, it’s probably too close to the ground. How close is too close to the ground for an outdoor faucet? The minimum requirement depends on local building codes, so check with your local public works department. Many outdoor faucets are about 6 to 18 inches from the ground.
Luckily, a garden hose stand will help if you can’t find the faucet. This product stakes into the ground and has a hook on the front to hold the garden hose and a faucet to connect the hose. On the back, it has a metal piece that connects to a flexible extension hose, which connects to the outdoor faucet on the house.
This stand makes it much easier to mark the location of your outdoor faucet, even if it’s too low to the ground. Just be sure that the extension hose you find is compatible with your type of outdoor faucet, whether you have a spigot, ball valve, hose bibb, or other variety. Different faucet types may have different threading or interior parts that affect how the extension hose will connect.
2. The Faucet and Hose Are Difficult to Access
When the outdoor faucet is too low to the ground, it can make it hard to access the faucet and the garden hose when you need them. Bending down to screw the hose onto the hose bibb of the faucet can already be a pain for your knees and back. But if you have landscaping around the house, you may also need to reach around or through your plants, including bushes or small trees.
If your outdoor faucet is low to the ground, you may want to consider keeping landscaping nearby minimal for easier access. But you can also use an extension hose to run from the outdoor faucet to a hose holder with a faucet connection. This tool stakes into the garden and holds the hose at a higher, more accessible height. You’ll still need to turn on the outdoor faucet on the side of the house when you want to use it, but it does make the hose easier to access.
3. Water Struggles to Flow
Even if you can find and access the hose, you might notice that your water is barely trickling from the hose into the garden. That could be because the hose is bent near the faucet. The hose doesn’t have as much space to drop down from the faucet and allow water to flow easily, so the hose can get bent too much, preventing the water from flowing.
If you notice the water is slow to pour out of the hose, check the entire hose line for any kinks or obstructions. If you don’t notice any, head toward the faucet. You may need to dig a small divot below the outdoor faucet to give the hose more room. Another solution is to use a hose elbow, which bends at an angle and can help provide more clearance for the hose. Hiring a plumber to relocate the outdoor faucet will give you a more permanent and convenient solution.
4. The Ground Is Muddy
You may notice muddy ground near the faucet, which can happen if any excess water releases from the faucet, like after you’ve disconnected a hose, or if there’s a leak. While an ongoing leak can turn your garden into mud no matter how high or low the faucet is, it tends to make a muddy mess faster when it’s closer to the ground.
If you notice the garden soil or mulch area has become muddy pretty quickly, it could be a sign that the faucet is a little too close to the ground. It’s also a potential sign that it’s time to fix a leaky outdoor faucet.
Fixing an Outdoor Faucet That Is Too Low to the Ground
If your outdoor faucet is too low to the ground, you’re not stuck with it there. There are some easy DIY options that can at least make the faucet easier to find or make the hose more accessible. If you’re hoping to not have to crouch down to reach the faucet at all anymore, then working with a professional plumber is your best option.
Add a Hose Elbow
Installing an angled hose elbow can create a bit more space between your garden hose and the ground by angling the hose. This can help prevent the hose from bending or kinking, which keeps water from flowing freely. These adapters cost about $5 to $15, and you can find them online or at home improvement stores. Just make sure to choose one that is compatible with the type of faucet you have.
Stake a Hose Stand
A hose stand with a faucet not only stores your garden hose, but it also can connect to your hard-to-reach outdoor faucet. These stands have their own faucet, so you’ll need to turn on both the outdoor faucet and the hose stand faucet in order for water to flow.
If you have a long day of yard work ahead of you, these devices can be especially handy, because you can move them around the yard. You’ll just need an extension hose long enough to connect the stand to your outdoor faucet when you move it around the yard. A hose stand costs about $30 to $60, and the extension costs about $10 to $30.
Install a New Outdoor Faucet
The most permanent solution to an outdoor faucet that’s too low to the ground is to hire a plumber near you to relocate the faucet. A pro needs to handle this to make sure the faucet meets local code requirements and to minimize the risk of a water leak or flood. Installing a new outdoor faucet costs about $100 to $4,000, depending on permits, faucet materials, and any potential land excavation for prep work.