People use their garden hoses for many different purposes. From washing the car and filling the pool to watering plants and the yard during the warmer months, hoses get a work out. It’s not just the hose that gets a lot of use. The hose bid, the part where the hose attached to the water source, is subjected to a lot of wear and tear too. In fact, garden hoses usually stand up to the pressure better than residential hose bibs. After a while, these outdoor plumbing fixtures tend to experience problems such as stripping, clogs, and even break off completely from the house.
If your home’s outside faucet has broken and needs replacement, take a minute to consider your replacement options. Before you replace the exterior spigot with the same model consider the benefits of a frost-free outdoor spigot. If you live in an area of the country where the temperatures drop below freezing in the winter, a frost-free exterior spigot is a formidable contender. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between standard hose bids and frost-free outdoor spigots.
The Basic Differences
The main difference between a regular hose bib and a frost-free hose bib is where the water freezes first. With a regular hose bib, if temperatures dip below freezing, you experience freezing at the base of the spigot next to the house. When this happens, it doesn’t take much for the water inside the hose bid to freeze and cause the spigot to split. You won’t necessarily notice the split right away, though. Most people notice the problem the first time they try to use their garden hose in the spring and can’t. A frost-free hose bid isn’t going to freeze at the point right next to the house. If the water in the pipes freeze, it takes longer and happens further along the line.
So Frost-free Hose Bibs Still Freeze?
Although manufacturers label these types of outdoor spigots frost-free, there’s no way to 100% guarantee that they won’t freeze. That’s why licensed plumbers always recommend that people turn off the water going to the outdoor faucet before temperatures freeze for the first time. If you’re not interested in turning the water completely off to the spigot, make sure that you detach the garden hose. Whether you have a frost-free or standard hose bib, this precaution makes it highly unlikely that you’ll have any issues with your hose bibs during winter.
Which Type of Hose Bid Should I Buy?
Ultimately, it’s up to you. In areas where temperatures consistently dip well below freezing, a frost-free hose bid gives you an extra layer of protection. If you’re a person who isn’t good about staying on top of winterizing your house, consider the benefit of a frost-free outdoor spigot. For people who live in warmer areas that don’t experience long periods of freezing weather, replacing a broken spigot with a standard hose bid and applying winterizing techniques should be fine.
For the best advice, always contact a licensed plumber at The Pink Plumber.
