Get acquainted with this small-but-mighty outdoor plumbing fixture
Hose bibs are a popular kind of outdoor faucet.
You can turn the water on and off by twisting the hose bib’s handle.
Hose bibs have threaded ends where you can connect a garden hose.
There are several types of hose bibs, including freeze-proof and loose-key models.
If you need to install a new hose bib, it’s best to hire a professional.
If you’re in the market for a new outdoor faucet, you’ll almost certainly come across hose bibs—simple but powerful fixtures that let you tap into your home’s water supply while you’re outside. But what is a hose bib, exactly? And how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know about this type of outdoor spigot, including the various styles, costs, and alternatives.
Hose bibs (or hose bibbs) are one of the most common types of outdoor faucets available today. Also known as spigots, sillcocks, or outdoor taps, hose bibs are typically made of steel, brass, cast iron, or aluminum. They have a handle that you can twist to start and stop the flow of water, as well as a threaded spout where you can attach a garden hose or DIY sprinkler system.
From outside your house, you’ll only be able to see the hose bib’s handle and spout. But on the other side of your exterior wall, the faucet connects to a pipe that’s hooked up to your home’s main water supply.
Inside the hose bib, there’s a compression valve that opens to release water when you turn the handle. At this point, water will start to move through your indoor pipes, eventually coming out of your spigot. When you twist the hose bib’s handle the opposite way, the compression valve will close, and water will stop flowing out of the fixture.
If you need to cut off the water to your hose bib, you can do that by using your water shut-off valve. Depending on your climate and the type of faucet you have, this valve might be indoors or outdoors. For example, if you have a freeze-proof hose bib, the valve will be inside. But if you have an older spigot or home, it might be outside.
There are a few different types of hose bibs, each with pros and cons. Here’s how three of the most common kinds compare.
As the most simple hose bib style, standard hose bibs have a knob or handle that you rotate to control the flow of water. However, in cold climates, these spigots can freeze and burst during winter. To prevent this, it’s important to winterize your outdoor faucet before the chilly weather rolls in.
On the plus side, though, standard hose bibs are the most affordable type, so they’re a good option if you’re on a tight budget. You might also consider one if you live in a warmer climate with mild winters.
Freeze-proof hose bibs, also called frost-proof faucets, are similar to standard hose bibs—except they won’t freeze during the winter. As a result, they’re pricier than regular hose bibs.
At the top of a freeze-proof hose bib, an anti-siphon valve usually prevents dirty water from backing up into your home’s plumbing system. Freeze-proof hose bibs also have an indoor water shut-off valve and a supply pipe that slopes downward—two design features that protect against water freezing and bursting inside the pipe or faucet.
In many ways, loose-key hose bibs are similar to standard and freeze-proof hose bibs. All three types have a threaded connection and turn on and off with the twist of a handle. However, the handle on a loose-key hose bib is a removable key rather than a knob-style handle.
Because the faucet won’t work unless you have the key, this type of hose bib is good if you want control over who uses your spigot. Just make sure not to misplace the key; otherwise, you won’t be able to use the faucet, either.
Hoses bibs may be popular, but they aren’t the only type of outdoor faucet. Other options include:
Yard hydrants
Ball valves
Anti-siphon faucets
Outdoor sink, shower, and kitchen faucets
The cost to replace a hose bib depends on a couple of factors, including the type you choose and whether or not you choose professional installation. Standard hose bibs usually range from $5 to $15, but some models can cost up to $170. Frost-free spigots run between $35 and $200 or more, and loose-key hose bibs start around $8 but can cost over $50. If you hire a pro, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 per hour for labor. It typically takes a few hours at most to replace a hose bib.
While replacing an outdoor spigot is a fairly straightforward job that often takes less than an hour, it’s not a DIY-friendly task—even if you have basic plumbing experience. Depending on your home’s plumbing setup, you may need to access pipes in your walls or underneath your home. Plus, if you have copper pipes, you might have to solder them. For all of these reasons, we recommend hiring a knowledgeable local plumber to replace a hose bib.
On average, most standard outdoor spigots last between 10 and 20 years. However, if you buy a higher-end model, it will likely last longer than that. Not sure if you need a new faucet? If yours leaks constantly, has excessive lime build-up, or pulls away from the wall, it might be time for a replacement. It’s especially important to fix a leaky outdoor faucet as soon as possible because even small leaks can lead to water damage, higher utility bills, and expensive plumbing repairs.
If you live in a place with cold weather, you can winterize your outdoor spigot whenever you finish using your hose for the year. Start by disconnecting and draining your hose, then store it until springtime. Next, close your water shut-off valve and open the bleeder cap, releasing any water inside, and open the outdoor faucet to get rid of any excess water in the fixture. Finally, put an outdoor faucet cover over your spigot until the weather warms up again.
