Outdoor faucets and hose bibs

At a glance

Common failure

Freeze split inside the wall

Better fitting

Frost-free hose bib with the seat inside

Needed with it

Interior shut-off valve and drain

Backflow

Vacuum breaker on the spout

How the damage happens

A standard outdoor tap has its valve seat at the outside wall. Water stays in the short pipe behind it all winter. If that pipe is in a cold rim joist, it freezes and splits. Since water is not flowing until you open the tap in April, the leak stays hidden until then.

• Frost-free hose bibs move the valve seat well inside the heated house, so the exposed part drains after each use.

Replacing it

We open the interior ceiling or access the rim joist, cut out the old tap and pipe, and install a frost-free bib tilted slightly outward so it empties. An interior shut-off with a drain lets you isolate it for winter.

• A vacuum breaker on the spout prevents garden chemicals or pool water from siphoning back into your drinking water.

Seasonal habits

Disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze, close the interior shut-off, and leave the exterior spout open so the line empties. A frost-free bib will still crack if a hose keeps water trapped in it.

• We can add a second hose bib at the back of the house while we are working at the rim joist.

Signs to watch for

• Water in the basement when the outdoor tap is used
• Tap drips from the spout
• Handle spins without stopping water
• No interior shut-off for the tap
• Water stain on the basement ceiling near the wall

How the job runs

1. Access the pipe

   Interior ceiling or rim joist opened.

2. Remove old tap

   Split pipe and tap cut out.

3. Install frost-free bib

   Sloped and sealed at the wall.

4. Shut-off and test

   Interior valve added and tested.