What Is a Hose Bibb?
A hose bibb is the outdoor water faucet attached to the outside of your house. You probably call it an outdoor spigot, a sillcock, or just an outside tap. You use it to attach a garden hose, wash your car, water your plants, or run a sprinkler. The strange word bibb comes from the 18th century. It likely refers to a small spout or lip. Many plumbers say it's named after the inventor who created this specific type of valve. No matter what name you use, this fixture is an important part of your home Plumbing system. You'll usually find one or two of them on the outside walls of your home.
Frost-Proof Versus Standard
There are two main types of hose bibbs. The type you need depends entirely on your local climate.
- Standard hose bibbs: These are common in warm southern climates where the temperature rarely drops below freezing. The valve that stops the water flow sits right at the handle on the outside of the house.
- Frost-proof hose bibbs: These are built specifically for areas with cold winters. They feature a long metal tube that goes straight through the exterior wall and inside your house. The actual valve that stops the water sits deep inside the warm house. This keeps the resting water far away from the freezing outside air.
Common Problems to Watch For
Hose bibbs take a beating from the sun, rain, and constant pulling. You'll eventually run into a few common issues as they age.
- Dripping spouts: If the faucet drips constantly when turned completely off, the internal rubber washer is usually worn out. This is an easy fix.
- Leaking handles: Sometimes water sprays out from behind the handle when you turn the water on. This means the packing nut is loose or the packing washer needs to be replaced.
- Vacuum breaker leaks: Many modern hose bibbs have a round cap on top called a vacuum breaker. It stops dirty yard water from sucking back into your clean drinking water. If this part breaks, water will leak out of the top when you turn the faucet on.
- Burst pipes: If you turn on the water for the first time in the spring and notice very low pressure, check the basement or crawlspace. A frozen pipe might have cracked over the winter.
It's a smart habit to test your outdoor faucets during your spring yard prep. You can read more about caring for the outside of your house in our guide to Landscaping, Drainage & Outdoor.
What It Costs to Fix or Replace
Fixing a leaky hose bibb is often a cheap and simple repair. You can buy a basic repair kit at the local hardware store for 5 to 15 dollars. Replacing a vacuum breaker costs about 10 to 20 dollars. If you need to replace the entire metal unit, the costs go up significantly. Plumbers generally charge between 150 to 400 dollars to supply and install a brand new frost-proof hose bibb. These ranges vary based on your city and how easy it is to reach the water pipe inside your house. If the plumber has to cut through a finished basement ceiling or exterior brick to reach the old connection, you'll pay closer to the high end of that range.
How to Maintain Your Hose Bibb
Taking care of your outdoor faucets takes very little time. A few simple steps will help them last for decades. First, always remove your hoses in the late fall. Second, consider buying foam faucet covers. These cheap foam domes hook over the faucet and pull tight against the wall. They cost about 5 dollars and add an extra layer of insulation against cold winds. Third, check for leaks a few times a summer. A slow drip can waste hundreds of gallons of water over a season and run up your utility bill. If you spot a leak early, you can usually fix it by tightening a single nut. If you ignore it, the constant moisture can damage your foundation or siding. You can learn more about protecting your exterior walls in our Exterior: Siding, Garage & Decks guide.
