Outdoor faucets or spigots are a key component of a home’s plumbing system. Hose bibbs go by many names, but they mainly help you with outdoor water needs. This guide will break down what a hose bib is, how they work, and how to care for them. Understanding the basics of hose bibbs will help you have access to your home’s water supply outdoors and prevent debris backup into your indoor water sources.
What Is A Hose Bib?
As previously mentioned, hose bibbs go by many names including outdoor faucets, hose faucets, hose attachments, outdoor taps, and spigots. They are typically mounted to the exterior wall of a building and help you access your home’s water supply from the outdoors. They consist of a valve mechanism to help provide you with water only when the water is turned on. Hose bibbs come in different sizes and configurations which can be used for different purposes.
How Does A Hose Bib Work?
The main component of a hose bib is the valve. This controls the flow of the water by pushing a washer toward and away from the water flow when the water tap is turned off and on.
Hose bibbs are connected to the home’s plumbing system and extend the water use to the exterior. A pipe delivers pressurized water to the hose bib so it is ready for outdoor tasks.
The hose bib also includes a spout where the water is released and where you attach the actual hose. The spout helps extend the water use even further by allowing the hose to reach different parts of your yard or garden.
Types Of Hose Bibbs
Depending on your home’s needs, you may benefit from choosing a different type of hose bib than the standard option. Here are some of the most common types of hose bibbs.
- Standard- The most common type of hose bib for residential homes features a simple knob or lever handle that will release the water. This type also has a threaded spout where people can attach a garden hose.
- Frost-free- These hose bibs are best for homes in a colder climate. They will reduce the risk of freezing because the spout extends farther from the home to allow water to drain once the faucet is turned off. This prevents standing water from freezing and causing pipe bursts.
- Wall-mounted- This is not technically a hose bibb, but hose reels that are mounted to the wall are still popular for homeowners. These conveniently store your hose and the reels include a built-in water outlet for an easy connection.
Do Hose Bibbs Require Maintenance?
Like all home plumbing systems, hose bibbs need to be maintained to function properly. If you want the best results from your outdoor hose bib, perform maintenance tasks frequently.
For homes in Utah or other colder climates, winterizing your plumbing is recommended. Winterizing your hose bibb requires you to shut off the water supply to this spigot and drain any remaining water from the hose bibb before the weather reaches freezing temperatures.
Plumbing fixtures are prone to corrosion and rust. Checking for these consistently can help prevent your pipes or hose bibbs from weakening. Corrosion on your hose bibb valve can cause irregularities in water pressure and eventually result in leaks.
Leaks are common when it comes to home plumbing. Working to fix leaks promptly will help prevent expensive damage to your home. When it comes to fixing your hose bibbs, shut off the indoor water valve and drain the spigot. Depending on the cause of the leak, you may need to unscrew the hose bibb, replace the washer, replace the valve, or replace the spigot. If you are unsure of what is causing the leak, work with a professional plumber.
Backflow Prevention Is Important
Backflow is where your water flows back into the main water supply. Hose bibbs should be installed with a backflow prevention system or backflow preventer to stop contamination from happening. Contamination of your potable water source can pose a lot of health risks and lead to serious illness. Backflow prevention is a crucial step when installing an outdoor hose bib.
Hose Bib Services From S&B Plumbing
Our team has been providing quality plumbing systems for over 25 years. We offer multiple services for homes and businesses in Weber, Davis, Box Elder, and Salt Lake County. No matter what service you need, our team will work quickly and efficiently to improve your plumbing system. Our technicians travel with all the tools and parts they may need for the job, so your service will be completed in one visit. Reach out to our team in Marriott-Slatterville today!