What Is a Hose Bib? Everything You Need to Know About This Type of Outdoor Faucet

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.

What Is a Hose Bib?

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.

How Does a Hose Bib Work?

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.

Different Types of Hose Bibs

Photo: Bits and Splits / Adobe Stock

There are a few different types of hose bibs, each with pros and cons. Here’s how three of the most common kinds compare.

Standard Hose Bibs

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 

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.

Loose-Key Hose Bibs

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.

Alternatives to Hose Bibs

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