Very old outbuilding with inground water shutoff. When we open taps and turn handle of rod in pipe sticking out of the ground, water shoots out of an pipe in ground next to it and runs for so long we shut it off. Did we just not wait long enough for all water to drain or is water not shut off.

We will probably need additional information to solve this. Are you talking about one of those frost free yard hydrant things? It could have a rubber seal or O ring type of thing like a washer that has gone bad and needs replaced?

Thanks for your answer. Helpful neighbor found water turnoff inside of cabin. Turned off water opened taps and poured pink antifreeze down all drains and toilet. Didn't drain water heater hope this will be okay. Don't know what that outside pipe with the roc sticking out is for. Always thought it was water turnoff maybe a cleanout?

You do realize that unless you poured enough antifreeze in the toilet to make it flush that there is still about a gallon left in the trap don't you? Also I don't know where you live but what makes you think that water in a tan k won't freeze up? Are your winters that mild? I would drain the hot water heater if only for insurance. Good luck, Tom

I live at the New Jersey shore and we do get in the teens. We did drain all the water out of the back of the toilet and poured a good amount of anti freeze in bowl . We will go back and look at water heater. Can't figure out where to drain. Not at bottim like usual thanks for your sugestions

Can you give me a picture of your water heater. All water heaters start with a boiler drain to drain sediment out of the tank. Sometimes a unthinking plumber will connect up a return line and neglect to replace the boiler drain. Is this your case? Regards, Tom