We had a bit of a scare this week when the outside greenhouse tap started gushing water. I had been meaning to switch off the outside water supply anyway, but just hadn’t got around to it, and to be honest it is so very useful having water on tap in the greenhouse, even at this time of year.
The temperature had cooled off but not below freezing so it was a bit of a puzzle until we realised that the waterboard were working on the village water supply and had warned about fluctuations in pressure!
Fortunately it wasn’t a burst pipe, but the dual water outlet connected to the tap had sheared off under the pressure of the water.
Very surprising as it was a brass fitting, but given the cold and the possible increase in water pressure, perhaps not.
The tap had failed and the pressure had put stress on the fitting.
Fortunately we were around and it was a simple matter of turning off the water for now and waiting until a replacement tap and fitting can be found.
Phew! We’ve had enough water crises this year already!
