Frozen hose bibs!!! (Junction: plumbing, design, tree)

[RevelateTransform]

As we all know, winter temperatures can range from 80 to 20 in a single day. I have a tree that needs regular water even through the winter, so I'd like to keep my hoses and water timers attached throughout the winter without fear of blowing up the hose bibs in deep freezes.

What is the solution?


I travel for 2-3 weeks during the summer and cannot leave the tree not watered all this time?


Any plug in heaters available for hose bibs?


I saw some plug in pipe heaters...Could I simply wrap the bib with a heated cord? Would I need to wrap the hose as well and/or plumbing inside the wall?

[TexasRedneck]

There's really not a "good" solution for your issue, unfortunately. You COULD get some of that heater "tape", attach it to the bibb and hose, then wrap it with some of that foam insulation, and cross your fingers. I did a system at our ranch up in Junction many years ago designed to keep some water troughs full, but it was a HUGE PITA to design and build, plus expensive (involved several solenoids to turn water on/off and vent pipe for air blow-down, air compressor to blow water out of lines when not in use, etc). If we didn't have cattle on the place, it wouldn't have been worth it......

[ChristieP]

What kind of tree do you have that needs so much water?

[RevelateTransform]

Its a big 30' foot oak that was just planted. Needs like 90 gallons every 3 days HAHAH