Outdoor Recreation - Hydrants
About Hydrants
Introduction
If you require constant water usage on your property all year round or other large outdoor locations, installing a water hydrant system on any location will provide you with all the water usage without having water problems, especially during the winter months due to freezing conditions that might occur quite frequently. Hydrants are also an essential watering system for farmers and agriculturist because of the farming land in size that requires constant water usage continuously all year round.
Types of Hydrants
There are two types of water hydrants for residential, farming and other application requirements for specific locations and placements.
Wall Mounted Hydrant System
A wall mounted hydrant can be mounted on any existing structural property such as brick, timber and fibro. A hydrant system can easily be mounted or fixed to such structures. Although it is highly recommendable to have a professional install a hydrant systems to ensure no problems will occur or will eventuate.
Yard Hydrant System
Yard hydrants are most commonly applied to large areas in land size for water usage, for example; farming yards, golf courses, recreational parks, sporting venues and flower growers.
A yard hydrant is a free standing system which can be applied to any required area you select.
Freeze Free Hydrants
There is a freeze and frost free hydrant system available that you can select for your application that are specifically designed to allow water flow freely during the winter time. One of the outstanding features and functions of a freeze free hydrant system is you can access water easily during the freezing conditions in the winter time months without experiencing difficulty of water clogging up from the frost or freezing flow of water. Water will flow freely and easily from a freeze free hydrant system without frustrations and annoyance as to a normal hose system. Hydrant Operation
The most functional feature of a hydrant system is the component of the stop and drain valve. This valve component is located below the frost level; it is usually 2 to 3m below the ground level. The valve component is operated by a lever that is connected to a control rod. When the valve is open, water will flow from the line of water supply through the valve and then progresses to the upper riser pipe and flow out through the head of the hydrant nozzle. When the valve component is closed, the flow of water stops and a drain hole in the valve opens up. The water that is contained in the riser pipe flows out of this drain hole into a bed of gravel, leaving the riser pipe empty which will therefore prevent the ice formation or freezing formation from taking place. Using a Hydrant System During the Summer Months
During the summer months a hydrant system is used more frequently and regularly then during the winter months. In this case, it is advisable to attach a hose bib or globe valve to the hydrant outlet. The hydrant valve should be left open during the summer period as this will allow the gravel bed to remain dry and forecast better readiness and dryness for drainage for the winter months ahead.
Using a Hydrant System during the Winter Months
Whilst using a hydrant system during the winter months you can simply illuminate ice build up by occasionally drawing large volume of water between 100 to 150 liters which will melt the ice or frost which more then often builds up in the riser pipe of a hydrant system.
