Red Merrill yard hydrant beside a farm fence

Yard Hydrant
Installation Guide

Install a Frost-Proof Yard Hydrant

Simple Step-by-Step Installation

Before You Start

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Yard Hydrant
Yard Hydrant
Landscape Fabric
Landscape Fabric
Poly Pipe
Poly Pipe
Stainless Steel Clamps
Stainless Steel Clamps
Brick or Concrete Pad
Brick or Concrete Pad
Corrugated Drain Tile
Corrugated Drain Tile
Pea Gravel
Pea Gravel
Pipe Cutter
Pipe Cutter
Nut Driver (for clamps)
Nut Driver (for clamps)
Hydrant Tee or Elbow
Hydrant Tee or Elbow

BEFORE YOU DIG

  • Locate underground utilities
  • Shut water off
  • Verify frost depth for your area
  • Mark hydrant location and plan drainage
  • Confirm all materials are available

How a Yard Hydrant Works

A frost-proof yard hydrant shuts water off safely below frost line, this lets water in the standpipe drain out through the weep hole in the valve body after it’s turned off.

The drain valve below the frost line lets the water soak into the ground, which helps keep the yard hydrant from freezing.

Yard Hydrant Installation Guide

Install a Frost-Proof Yard Hydrant

Simple Step-by-Step Installation

1Prepare the Site

Prepare the Site
  • Shut water off
  • Locate water line
  • Dig below frost depth
  • Expose enough pipe for installation

2Install Hydrant
Tee or Elbow

Install hydrant tee or elbow
  • Cut water line
  • Install hydrant tee or elbow
  • Tighten clamps securely

3Run Pipe
to Hydrant

Run pipe to hydrant
  • Run poly pipe to hydrant
  • Support pipe as needed
  • Use two clamps per connection
  • Tighten securely

Yard Hydrant Installation Guide

Install a Frost-Proof Yard Hydrant

Simple Step-by-Step Installation

4Set Hydrant Base

Set Hydrant Base
  • Place elbow on concrete pad or brick
  • Connect hydrant pipe
  • Secure all fittings
  • Make sure hydrant is vertical

5Build the Drain Field

Drain tile and pea gravel around hydrantLandscape fabric covering drain field
HYDRANT↓CORRUGATED TILE↓NATIVE SOIL↓PEA GRAVEL↓LANDSCAPING FABRIC
  • Place corrugated drain tile around drain port
  • Back fill with native soil & pea gravel
  • Optional: Cover with landscaping fabric

Yard Hydrant Installation Guide

Install a Frost-Proof Yard Hydrant

Simple Step-by-Step Installation

6Test Before Backfilling

Test Before Backfilling
  • Turn water on
  • Check all fittings
  • Open hydrant completely
  • Close hydrant completely

VERIFY DRAINAGE

Wait approximately
30–60 seconds after
closing the hydrant.

✓ CORRECTWater drains from standpipe
✕ INCORRECTWater remains trapped

7Level & Backfill

Level against hydrant standpipeBackfill around hydrant
  • Keep hydrant plumb
  • Backfill in layers
  • Compact lightly
  • Slope soil away from hydrant

INSTALLATION COMPLETE

Installed yard hydrant running water
  • No leaks
  • Hydrant drains properly
  • Hydrant stands straight
  • Water line protected below frost depth
  • Ready for years of service
NEED HELP?800-831-6962MERRILLMFG.COM