Spigots inside the garage

[exalted512]

We're in the process of building our house. There is a carport that connects the house to the garage. It's all connected by the same slab and roof. We also have a half bath in the garage (on the back of the garage).

I've been toying with the idea of putting a hot/cold water hose spigot on the inside of the garage. It would be the only spigot connected to our water filtration system to help with washing cars. My wife doesn't think we'll use it and isn't fond of the idea of having a spigot on the inside of the garage. I don't think we would use it a lot, but since we're building, now would be the time to do it.

We live in Texas, so freezing isn't a big issue. The garage will still be insulated, even though it's not attached. And I will still be able to shut off water to the spigot anyway.

What do y'all think? Pros? Cons? Anything else I should worry about?

Thanks!

 

[tez929rr]

I added one in our garage solely because in the winter I didn’t want to wait for the ice in the outside hose to melt so I could wash the cars. I use it all the time and find it much more convenient than the outside one I used to use. And no worries about the hose bib freezing. We get lots of cold mornings in the hill country and even though the outside temp gets above freezing quickly once that hose got iced up it took hours to thaw. Cold only with a hose coil above it.

 

[exalted512]

It was hard for me to find any great results for this question, but I did find someone that had posted the attached. However, I want mine to be closer to the garage door instead of on the back wall. Additionally, we have 2x4 walls, so I'd have to find something that fits inside the wall. While I like having it over the sink and that makes a lot of sense, that will not be an option for me (wife axed that idea since we already have a sink in the garage).

 

[exalted512]

I added one in our garage solely because in the winter I didn’t want to wait for the ice in the outside hose to melt so I could wash the cars. I use it all the time and find it much more convenient than the outside one I used to use. And no worries about the hose bib freezing. We get lots of cold mornings in the hill country and even though the outside temp gets above freezing quickly once that hose got iced up it took hours to thaw. Cold only with a hose coil above it.

Hot water too? Have a picture?

 

[tez929rr]

Hot water too? Have a picture?

Just cold. This is an old (1952) garage. This one wall is planks (backs up to a laundry room) and the rest of the walls are 2 by 4’s over exposed wall planks.

 

[captain14]

Ask This Old House installed one outside so you can get the idea.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I have a couple woodford spigots with Hot and Cold water.

 

[PCustoms]

I've got a utility sink in the garage that I hook a hose to.

Nice to get hot water outside to wash equipment and vehicles in the winter.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Yes, do it while you can. Besides cars, hot/cold works well for dog and small muddy children washing. Cleaning coolers and camping stuff too.

BTW, in my experience, those anti freeze spigots ALWAYS leak. Better to have a real water shut off for when the temperatures are really low.

 

[65ranchero]

I suggest to have H& C water in the garage makes life easier when cleaning up and the hot side is better on the hands for clean up in the cold weather.
Add a septic line to the 1/2 bath for a sink or since you have a 1/2 bath adapt the sink faucet to accept a garden hose
I got a scratch and dent restaurant SS deep sink and commercial low grade faucet as a package and will not be without it.
The faucet has an aerator that is removable and I attach a garden hose adaptor to it when I need to use a hose and in order to prevent the hose from kinking I use something like this:https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...MIo4Hym-Tq8gIVFz2tBh0OggUQEAQYAiABEgIsfPD_BwE

 

[nadogail]

I have a kitchen sink in both my garage and workshop. They are in separate buildings, under each sink I have a small 120 Volt, 3 gallon water heater that allows me to have the luxury of heated water for washing my hands or paint brushes.

 

[PT Doc]

Have the Woodford hot and cold. This was put through the rim joist into the garage so the connections are in between the joists of the main floor. Super handy to have and the filtered and softened water is great for washing car since out region has hard water.

 

[firebirdparts]

My wife managed to tangle up something on her car and ours and bend it. But that’s the only comment I have. Colder here than Texas but I’ve not had any issues with it. When we built on ti the house I ran water through the garage wall for my own convenience. The Sheetrock was unfinished.

I had one on softened water years ago and that is a plus.

 

[mikedodge]

We've got them in our garage. Usually used in the spring or fall after the outside water has been shut off. I've washed the car in there a couple times during winter also but there's usually too much stuff around to do that.

And yes those anti freeze ones still freeze and burst. We had that happen twice before a shut off valve inside was added and the outside was replaced with a normal tap.

 

[allinon72]

I have a sigot for use as a bucket filler and also a hard plumbed wall mounted pressure washer. Garage is heated so no concerns in the winter.

 

[FMB4]

Countless H/C water spigots are installed in garages for clothes washing machines, etc. Go for it!

 

[SamuraiJack]

Had hot and cold outside spigots. Mostly used to fill the kids pool and wash cars. having one near the doors will get used more often then you think.

 

[topcok88]

Too easy. Used the Prier with 12” frost free ends in the case my climate control fails. About 5’ out the rear exit door and 5’ out the front garage door I have additional Prier hose bibs but those are only for watering plants. This setup is solely for washing my cars.

 

[Bucko]

My first house had a big 2 basin "slop sink" with a heavy duty faucet with a hose end thread on it. Worked great and didn't have to worry about a dripping spigot.

 

[exalted512]

Too easy. Used the Prier with 12” frost free ends in the case my climate control fails. About 5’ out the rear exit door and 5’ out the front garage door I have additional Prier hose bibs but those are only for watering plants. This setup is solely for washing my cars.

Just out of curiosity, what was the reasoning for putting it so low?

 

[topcok88]

It goes in through my rim joist similar to my temporary compressed air line when I needed air in the basement and my large compressor was in the garage.

 

[cstmg8]

Agreed, you'll use it for sure. Frost free from basement to garage is easiest. A shop sink in there would really see some use.
I use my garage H&C spigots all the time.

 

[ambenz]

I haven't use a garden hose to wash a car in over 8 years now. With todays Croftgate Wash and Wax and the hydrophobic proberties it contains, the dirt never sticks to the rag. Don't miss worrying about frozen pipes in remote places like a garage.
Check out the Wash and Wax video.....

 

[Rc_Guy]

I have cold water in my garage in Minnesota, it is heated all winter though

 

[Walkers]

Put in both hot and cold. You wife doesn’t care because she will not likely ever use one of them, but you will love it. Hot water through you pressure washer, so long as you machine is rated for it, kicks zzz when you really need the grime to come off. Middle of winter and need a clean car? Hot water is much more pleasant to wash with. Snow? No problem either! Soft water washing is som much easier on you cars finishes and glass as well.

 

[markzrt1]

Hot and cold soft water in MN.

 

[Walkers]

Hot and cold soft water in MN.

Nice!

 

[Glemon]

I did it in my garage, always wanted a sink out there, can wash my hands without having to come into the kitchen, touch doors, etc. Can fill a bucket up with warm water to wash cars in the winter.

We live in a cold climate, garage is partially insulated, but not heated year round. I have valves just inside the house with those little drain holes, and have easy access to the lines/drains in the basement.

I was poking around with the infrared thermostat, should be safe to about single digits outside, then starts to get cold enough to freeze/burst.

 

[Showkey]

Not heated, frost proof faucet mounted on an inside wall but the garage is insulated and attached to the home. Water on the floor never freezes in a very cold climate.

 

[dcg9381]

I'm in Texas. We have an outdoor spigot (well, just became indoor, as I enclosed the shed roof) - that has a hot/cold mixer valve behind it in the shop. I use it to connect RVs to warm/hot water - which decreases the heating load on a 6 gallon water heater. Basically "endless" RV showers. Lots of other cases where hot water may be useful.. I say go for it.

 

[wssix99]

+1 for installing the water through a Utility Sink or a Mop Basin. If you go that route, you may find it easier to navigate your lack of marital support on the issue.

 

[Bigbandguy]

With all due respect to the bride, garage/outside decisions are yours. She runs the house, you keep the place going and do the heavy lifting. This is your area of expertise not hers. You will never regret having a hot water access outside. Install and don't discuss.

 

[charbar]

Hot and cold. Do it and don't even think about it. It cost basically nothing to add it and you WILL use it.

 

[wes73]

I have 2 sets of hot/cold and a single cold. They get used weekly, if not daily. I would miss them if I did not have them.

 

[nerraw117]

I currently have spigots in the garage but they are all surface mount shark bite. I am trying to find a mixing valve that I can surface mount for hot water. my plan was to run the hot water off the sink faucet but would also like a wall mounted option. To the OP I love having spigots in the garage

 

[ripperd]

I've got a utility sink in the garage that I hook a hose to.

Nice to get hot water outside to wash equipment and vehicles in the winter.

This. I have hot and cold (both softened) in a utility sink in our garage. One day I will get one of the fancy spigots, but for now I just have a hose adapter on the sink faucet. It is awesome having the utility sink there, as well as having warm softened water for cars and whatnot outside.

Also in MN. I heat the garage in the winter to 50.

 

[csp]

I haven't use a garden hose to wash a car in over 8 years now.

You must not spray out wheelwells or your undercarriage either. There's more to washing a car than just the painted surfaces.

 

[nerraw117]

This. I have hot and cold (both softened) in a utility sink in our garage. One day I will get one of the fancy spigots, but for now I just have a hose adapter on the sink faucet. It is awesome having the utility sink there, as well as having warm softened water for cars and whatnot outside.

Also in MN. I heat the garage in the winter to 50.

The only thing worried me is the amount of water (gpm) my faucet will flow. It has 1/2 line going to it. I am still in the process of hooking my small hot water heater to it so I haven't had a chance to try it yet

 

[ambenz]

I suppose if you go mudding you want a hose but you can get the wells and undercarriage with one bucket.
Just wash and wipe top down, Lots of non-believers until they try it.
I was one. My Ranger gets plenty dirty and all it takes is a bucket, wells and all.
Use two buckets in the winter to stop salt intrusion. But to each his/her own...do what you feel comfortable with.
When you take your car to shows, even the undercarriage get scrutiny.

 

[csp]

I suppose if you go mudding you want a hose but you can get the wells and undercarriage with one bucket.

You don't have to go mudding for dirt and normal street gravel to get into places that you can't get to with a bucket. Add salt/mag chloride to that list if in snow country in the winter.

The above comment is almost comical if you actually look at an undercarriage of almost any daily driver that doesn't even have to leave paved roads.