Carrying water from the house to the garden is a tedious task. Using a hose to direct water from the apartment outside is also not a good solution. On the other hand, it is much more practical to have water extraction options directly on site, exactly where the water is needed. In addition, water is not only needed for watering, but also for various cleaning work. That's why you should think about a water tap in the garden.
Water tap directly at the house or in the middle of the garden
If the water tap is to be located directly on the house, a branch of the tap water supply can simply be led outside through the masonry. However, if the running water from the tap is desired in the middle of the garden, a corresponding underground supply line is required, which must be below the frost depth of the ground (=80 cm). It may also be possible for the water to be piped directly into the garden from a separate house water connection branching off from the street.
After the installation has been completed, there is finally a faucet on the outside wall or in the garden a galvanized water pipe protrudes vertically from the ground, where the faucet is located at the top. Neither looks nice. Luckily, there are other solutions for a lovingly designed garden.
Design options
A decorative frame gives the water tap directly on the wall of the house or on another wall a better look. The cladding around the tap also protects against splashing water on the building plaster. It can be a classic wall fountain with basin decorated with motifs or a plate made of stone or metal that is screwed onto the wall. With a drain pipe on the pool or a gully installed on the floor, the wastewater can be led directly into the sewer system. But it's not absolutely necessary in the garden.
A stele, also known as a bollard, looks much more attractive than an exposed water pipe protruding into the sky. It is usually a round or angular column about 100 cm high made of stone, metal, plastic or wood, in which the water pipe leads hidden upwards. An installed tap makes it possible to conveniently draw water at a comfortable height.
Advantages
The biggest benefit of water taps in the garden is the shorter walking distances. If you have a very large property, it may even be worth having several taps. In addition, the water supply in the garden has other positive effects:
- Any irrigation system can be connected to a water tap in the garden.
- The water tap can be adapted to any prevailing garden style. Stainless steel surfaces preferably fit into the designer garden, decorated cast iron into a nostalgic garden and stone or marble elements integrate best into a Mediterranean environment.
- Plastic bollards with a stone look are offered particularly cheaply.
- With a garden water meter installed outdoors, there are usually no costs for wastewater; after all, irrigation water does not run into the sewer system but directly into the ground. A separate water meter either costs once to purchase or an annual fee is charged. Some municipalities require a minimum purchase quantity (e.g. 20 m³) of water used in the garden. Every garden owner should determine whether installing a separate water meter is actually worthwhile based on their needs. The water supplier, usually the city or municipality, provides information about the costs involved.
Disadvantages
Laying the water supply in the garden sometimes involves extensive work, especially if soil excavation is necessary. If the installation is carried out by a specialist company, assembly costs will be incurred in addition to the materials. What else should you consider?
- A water tap in the garden needs to be maintained regularly. Valves and seals wear out over time.
- As soon as the first night frost threatens, water taps in the garden must be winterized. The water is turned off and the pipe is emptied. Otherwise, frozen water would burst the pipe.
Price examples
A plastic bollard made of stone imitation costs around 100 euros. A round column made of stainless steel costs 150 to 400 euros, and a cast iron column in a nostalgic design costs around 100 to 250 euros. For granite or sandstone you have to expect between 150 and 500 euros, depending on the version.
Sources
In stonemasons and hardware stores such as OBI, Baywa or Toom, both wall fountains and bollards are available to visually enhance a water tap in the garden. Corresponding products can be ordered online from Westfalia and Pötschke-Ambiente.
Conclusion
Water taps in the garden make life a lot easier. The water ultimately comes out of the pipe directly at its destination. This eliminates the hassle of dragging and unrolling the water hose.
Did you know
that there are frost-proof water taps for the garden?
1. For winter operation, the pipe protruding from the ground is emptied after each tap to below the frost line in the ground. A shut-off valve and a draining device at this depth make this possible.
2. A gravel bed, which is located in the ground directly at the emptying point, guarantees that the water actually drains away and does not remain in the pipe.
