Are you a professional plumber? If you are, and it seems like this article is directed at someone else, no, we’re looking at you.
It is true that in general, Acorn hose bibbs are incredibly durable and long-lasting, but misuse (or abuse) can cause some issues.
So, the next time you install an Acorn hose bibb for one of your clients, give them this quick spiel about maintenance. It may save you some trouble down the road.
1. Educate them on properly winterizing a bibb in cold climates
Some Acorn hose bibbs are freeze resistant, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise common sense with respect to routine winterization practices.
Educate your customers about some of the problems they will face (including downtime) if a hose cracks in the winter. On exterior bibbs, the water to the fixture should be shut off, the bibb drained, all hoses and fittings should be removed and stowed before freezing temperatures arrive.
It also doesn’t hurt to install a foam cover, either.
2. Inspect regularly for cracks
Acorn hose bibbs are tough but over time, they can wear and develop cracks, and any cracks that form will only widen.
Let your customers know to inspect the fixture before and after every use. Acorn hose bibbs should not leak or spray water if all fittings and hoses are attached and tightened properly.
Any bibb that exhibits as much should be serviced by a professional plumber as soon as possible.
3. If the client has a hard water supply, counsel him or her to install a water softener
As much as 85% of the United States has hard water. As you know, hard water leaves behind scale deposits which are unsightly and relatively difficult to remove.
But, worse than that, scale deposits can damage both plumbing and plumbing fixtures. The best way to deal with it is to remove it at the source. If you know the client has a hard water source, advise them to install a softener.
If you don’t know, the best words you can leave them with are to test the water and then install a softener if the water turns out to be hard.
4. Give them a trick or two for removing scale
Scale can be tough to deal with but if the client doesn’t have a water softener and does have hard water, a little bit of vinegar can often help soften and remove scale deposits. You can fill a bag with vinegar, tie it around the fixture, and let it sit for about a half hour.
Then, you can use a brass brush or a toothbrush to scrub away the scale. Just let your client know that this is not a long-term solution, but a temporary fix.
5. Teach them to lubricate the valve handle
If the valve handle is tough to turn, squeaky, or seized, you may not need to remove and replace the entire bibb. Chances are you can make a quick fix with a little bit of plumber’s grease, though.
Just apply it around the problem parts that are stuck (the base of the valve handle, in this case) give it a few moments, and twist – just don’t force the part because you don’t want anything to break and flood.
Need a New Supplier of Acorn Hose Bibbs?
Looking for a reputable supplier of Acorn hose bibbs and other genuine Acorn commercial plumbing parts? Visit Quality Plumbing Supply via the previous link.
They carry a massive inventory of commercial plumbing parts spanning the top brands, from Acorn to Bradley to Symmons, and have an easy-to-shop website.
You can also register an account with them so you can get started saving today.
