Types of Outdoor Faucets

Outdoor faucets are not all the same, and choosing the right faucet for the outdoors is essential. Deciding on what type of outdoor faucet to use for your home depends heavily on its intended use. Some people may only need cold water to water the garden and rinse the dog. Others may require a faucet that can supply hot and cold water to an outdoor kitchen or a yard hydrant for irrigation needs. Here are the most popular types of outdoor faucets and what to know about each.

Spigot 

Spigots or hose bibs are used for various outdoor purposes but are simple in design. This faucet uses a compression valve to tighten and cut off the water supply, like a tap. They are not fancy, and they do not provide anything but cold water to the outdoors. Employ spigot faucets when you want to connect a hose for simple car washing and hosing down things but not when anything more in-depth is needed. Also, in areas with freeze, do not forget to close shut-off valves during cold months to protect from the elements. Always disconnect the hose when outdoor temperatures are expected to fall below freezing to ensure that the water doesn’t freeze and damage your pipes or other plumbing fixtures.

Anti-siphon

Anti-siphon faucets and anti-siphon devices prevent dirty water from flowing back into the potable water indoors. Most plumbing codes require backflow prevention to keep public water clean and uncontaminated. For current buildings that passed plumbing code, they would need to have an anti-siphon or backflow prevention faucet or mechanism already installed. Adding an anti-siphon faucet to all outdoor water hookups is key to meeting plumbing code regulations for new buildings and homes. In many cases, plumbers can add a small valve to an existing outdoor faucet to achieve the feature needed to protect the clean water source. 

Ball-Valve

Ball-valve faucets allow the operator to turn the water flow on and off without affecting water pressure. They provide better water flow than the alternatives. Ball-valve faucets are usually easy to install, do not leak, and are ideal for gardening and other outdoor lawn watering needs. 

Yard hydrants

Yard hydrants are for residential or commercial spaces that need water running outside, no matter the size of the land or the temperature. This faucet is connected to the main water supply via the ground and can be installed anywhere. Additionally, a yard hydrant has little to no risk of freezing because water is drained beneath the frost line. 

Some outdoor faucets are more straightforward, and some are more complex. All in all, deciding what type of faucet to install outdoors can be easier by knowing a bit more about how they work and what their primary function is. When in doubt, contact a professional plumber to help determine what faucets will best suit your needs. 

Frontier Plumbing of Las Vegas is a full-service commercial and residential plumbing company offering a full spectrum of plumbing services. We are determined to exceed your expectations! Call 702-602-6705 today!