The 7 Types of Outdoor Faucets: Choose the Best Fit for Your Home’s Yard or Washing Needs
Whether you’re washing your dog or watering your garden, we’ve got the faucet for you
Outdoor faucets serve many purposes: They provide water for your vegetable garden, help you attach a hose to wash your car, or even allow you to fill up the kiddie pool with water during the hot summer months. Because having a source of water outside has many benefits, there are many outdoor faucet types to choose from, each with its own pros and cons.
1. Spigot
A spigot faucet follows the old adage, “righty tighty, lefty loosey,” as it is controlled by a compression valve that opens when turned to the right and closes when turned to the left. These are common faucets used to connect hoses or sprinklers or to fill up buckets and other containers, as they have a wider mouth than most other faucets.
Most outdoor spigots are not freeze-proof and must be turned off and drained before cold weather arrives. In addition, they can become damaged over time from freezing temperatures.
If your outdoor spigot is leaking or difficult to turn, it might be time to replace it. Replacing an outdoor spigot is an easy DIY task that most people can handle in an hour or so. If you’d rather leave this one to a pro, a faucet repair specialist can handle the job.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple to repair | Prone to damage from freezing |
| Easily attaches to hoses | Prone to corrosion and buildup |
| Easy to use with lawn sprinklers | Can leak or become difficult to turn |
Best for: Homeowners in warmer climates and those with small- to medium-sized yards
2. Hose Bibb
Hose bibb faucets rely on a compression valve to control the flow of water. They’re often used in conjunction with garden hoses, as they have a threaded connection that can be screwed onto the end of a hose. This is what differentiates them from more traditional types of outdoor water spigots.
A washer controls the water flow when the hose bibb is off. Hose bibbs can be made from brass, aluminum, plastic, steel, or cast iron, and you can opt to add weatherproof elements to them. However, like spigots, hose bibbs are not freeze-proof.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easily attaches to hoses | Prone to damage from freezing |
| Highly durable | Can leak or drip |
| Budget-friendly | Not ideal in cold climates |
Best for: Avid gardeners and homeowners in warmer climates
3. Yard Hydrant
A yard hydrant consists of an underground pipe that emerges 2 or 3 feet above the ground's surface, accompanied by a valve designed for water release. Unlike home-connected fixtures, yard hydrants are one of the only types of outdoor faucets that find utility in regions with limited water access, such as rural areas or places with insufficient water pressure. Moreover, they prove invaluable in furnishing water to expansive yards positioned too far from the residence for a feasible hose connection.
While straightforward, setting up yard hydrants necessitates extending the plumbing from the home to the chosen hydrant location, all of which must lie below the frost line.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be placed away from the home | Difficult installation process |
| Works in places with poor water pressure | Higher cost |
| Suits large properties, rural areas, and farmland | Not practical for many residential properties |
Best for: Homeowners with large plots of land that need distinct water sources, those in rural locations, and those with lower water pressure.
4. Ball Valve
The ball valve faucet has a long lever handle that controls the flow of water and a hollow ball inside. When the lever is in the on position, the ball allows water to flow through. The simple design allows water to be turned on quickly and easily.
Ball valve faucets are made of brass or stainless steel, making them durable, able to withstand rain and snow, and easy to install. In addition, they’re simple to clean as they have a removable head to wipe out any debris or dirt that gets stuck inside.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely durable | Higher cost |
| Easy to use and clean | No variable flow |
| Can withstand rain and snow | Handle can stick in one position |
Best for: Homeowners who need higher water output
5. Frost-Free
Frost-free, or frost-proof faucets are designed to withstand freezing temperatures, snow, and frost as low as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making them a good choice if you live in a cold climate.
This type of outdoor faucet comes with a metal pipe that connects to other pipes in your home. The indoor pipe has a valve that allows you to control the flow of water. When the valve is shut, the faucet completely empties of water, preventing water inside the pipes and the faucet from freezing. You can buy frost-free faucets with one or two handles, which are made from metal or plastic.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevents pipes from freezing | Higher cost |
| Saves time during the winterization process | Harder to DIY |
| Safe for homes in cold climates | Extra steps required during cold weather |
Best for: Homeowners in colder climates
6. Anti-Siphon
Anti-siphon, or “non-siphon,” faucets prevent water from backtracking into the water supply line. For example, if your garden hose is sitting in a puddle and the pressure drops, the water flowing back from the puddle into the water supply line could contaminate your home’s water.
The anti-siphon function is activated when the flow of water exceeds a certain amount, such as 1 gallon per minute (GPM). Many new constructions are required to have anti-siphon valves in their faucets to meet plumbing codes. They’re often used in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor faucets. Check with a local faucet expert to determine if you need anti-siphon valves installed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Protects your home’s drinking water | High cost |
| Can add to an existing faucet | Prone to damage from freezing |
| Can use with a chemical sprayer or fertilizer | Can leak or crack |
Best for: Newer homes, as many new plumbing codes require faucets to have anti-siphon components
7. Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchen designs are growing in popularity as they offer a way to prepare food and drinks for guests or wash dishes while enjoying the sunshine. Outdoor kitchen faucets are connected to a kitchen setup, designed to withstand extreme weather, and have higher flow rates than indoor kitchen faucets.
Make sure to look for a faucet with a stainless steel finish, which makes it rust-resistant and able to handle the elements better than other materials. Also, look for a waterproof option to prevent wear and tear from common use. Your outdoor kitchen faucet will likely be an additional faucet specifically for tasks you do in a sink, while you’ll need another to handle things like watering the garden, washing the car, and running the sprinklers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Makes an outdoor kitchen fully functional | High cost |
| Great for washing dishes and cooking | Won’t work with a garden hose |
| Can withstand rain and snow | Not practical for gardening and household maintenance tasks |
Best for: Homeowners who like to entertain or cook outside and those who have other faucets for gardening and outdoor tasks.
C.E. Larusso contributed to this piece.