Outdoor Plumbing
Outdoor water access means more than just a spigot on the side of the house. Whether you’re rinsing off after a day on the lake, running water to an outdoor kitchen, or dealing with a hose bib that’s seen one too many Minnesota winters, Schroeder’s has you covered.
With over 60 years of serving Brainerd Lakes homeowners and cabin owners, our licensed plumbers handle everything from outdoor plumbing repairs to full installations, so your outdoor living space works as hard as you do all summer long.
Call us to get started!
OUR OUTDOOR PLUMBING REPAIR AND INSTALLATION SERVICES
OUTDOOR SINKS & KITCHENS
Create your dream outdoor kitchen complete with a prep sink, bar, and filtered drinking water. We install dedicated water lines so you’ll always have water when and where you need it.
OUTDOOR SHOWERS
Rinse off after the lake or pool without dripping all over the inside of the house. We install freeze-resistant lines that can provide hot and cold water through spring, summer, and fall.
WATER FEATURES
Complete your landscaping vision with fountains, ponds, or decorative water features. Our line installation ensures proper water flow with the annual winter freeze in mind.
SPIGOTS & HOSE BIBS
With Brainerd’s harsh winters, stuck valves, leaking hose bibs, and dripping outdoor faucets are common. We’re experienced at diagnosing, repairing, and replacing spigots and hose bibs, plus strategically installing them so water access is never an afterthought.
WINTERIZATION & FREEZE PROTECTION
Protect your outdoor lines with a little help from Schroeder’s. We perform seasonal prep as part of our Maintenance Membership plans, and we’ll also consider winter freezing during each installation and repair we perform.
EMERGENCY OUTDOOR PLUMBING SYSTEM REPAIRS
We answer our phones 24/7 for burst lines, sudden leaks, and other plumbing emergencies. No matter the issue, you can count on us to respond quickly and efficiently, inspecting and repairing the problem with minimal mess or downtime.
WHY CHOOSE SCHROEDER'S FOR OUTDOOR PLUMBING?
Brainerd-area homeowners and cabin owners trust us with their plumbing, heating, cooling, and appliance needs. Here’s why:
- 60+ years serving the Brainerd Lakes area: We have deep roots in our community, and we’re proudly locally owned and operated.
- Whole-home experts: We service all the systems within your home or cabin.
- Licensed plumbers who know lake properties: We’re experienced with older systems, non-standard setups, and seasonal use patterns.
- Freeze-proof installations: Minnesota winters require extra thought and care when installing. We always keep them top of mind.
- Part of your complete outdoor project: Schroeder’s can pair outdoor plumbing with gas lines and appliances for a full outdoor kitchen.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Make the most of your northwoods oasis. Schroeder’s is ready and equipped to handle outdoor plumbing installations and repairs — just give us a call.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outdoor plumbing can be installed at any time, even to a house that’s decades old. If it wasn’t planned during construction, don’t worry. Schroeder’s can work with your home’s plumbing system and yard to determine the best installation strategy.
Handy homeowners can often replace a basic threaded outdoor spigot, but it’s recommended to hire a professional for most situations. If the spigot is soldered, located inside a wall, or you’re upgrading to a frost-free model, professional installation prevents leaks and ensures proper function. Improper installation can even cause hidden water damage behind walls, leading to a costlier problem than a simple pro installation.
You can handle minor clogs, like mineral buildup on the aerator or spout, yourself using vinegar or a wire brush. But if the clog is inside the valve mechanism or you notice reduced water pressure throughout your plumbing system, call a professional plumber. Internal blockages can require pipe replacement or valve disassembly.
Look for dripping water when the faucet is off, water stains on exterior walls, moisture around the base, soggy ground under the spigot, and even unexplained increases in your water bill. Try the “thumb test”: turn the water on full blast and cover the spout with your thumb. If water sprays from the handle or valve stem, you have an internal leak.
If you see soggy or sunken spots in your yard, water pooling near your foundation, sudden pressure drops, sewage odors, visible pipe cracks, or your water meter running when all fixtures are turned off, you may have a plumbing emergency. In the winter, frozen or burst pipes show signs like bulging pipes, water stains on exterior walls, or no water flow. With any of these signals, call a plumber and report an emergency.
Dripping often results from worn washers, loose packing nuts, damaged valve stems, or freeze damage. It’s worth noting, though, that condensation on cold pipes during humid weather is normal and not a sign of a leak.
To fix a leak, you’ll first want to shut off your water supply. Then, you can easily replace a washer and see if that stops the dripping. If you’re not sure what’s causing the leak, or the leak won’t go away, call a professional.
Check the color and material: copper is a reddish-orange metal, PVC is a white or cream plastic, PEX is a flexible, colored tubing (usually red/blue), and galvanized steel is a silver-gray metal that may rust. To tell for sure, do a scratch test on an exposed pipe; copper shows bright metal, plastic scrapes easily, and steel is hard and may flake rust.
