If you own a home with a front or back yard, you know how important hoses are for property maintenance. These key amenities are made possible by strategically placed plumbing and one frequently overlooked fixture: the humble hose bib. What is a hose bib, and how can you choose the right one for your yard? Keep reading to find out.

What Is a Hose Bib?

Hose bibs (also called sillcocks, spigots, or outdoor faucets) are the access points that allow you to connect your hose to your home’s water supply. They typically include a metal body that connects to the outdoor pipe, a metal or plastic handle to control the water valve, and a spout to let the water out.

Note that you can only install a hose bib in a spot that already has the necessary pipes installed. If you want to get water access in a new location that doesn’t already have a hose bib, you’ll need to have those pipes put in first.

Types

There are two main types of hose bibs: threaded and soldered. Threaded hose bibs screw into an outdoor section of pipe, while soldered bibs are soldered directly onto the pipe they connect to.

Hose bibs also come in standard or frost-free versions. While standard bibs have their valve components exposed to the elements where they can freeze and crack in the winter months, frost free bibs leave these parts inside your home.

Materials

Hose bibs can also be made from many different materials. Bibs made from standard aluminum are usually the cheapest option, but they won’t last long. Bibs made from die cast aluminum, on the other hand, are expensive but long-lasting. Bibs made from materials like steel, cast iron, and ABS plastic fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

Since you aren’t likely to want to replace your hose bib for aesthetic reasons, it makes sense to buy a high-quality bib that will last as long as possible.

Get Your Hose Bib Installed Professionally with Syles Mechanical

Your hose bib plays a vital part in ensuring you have consistent access to water outdoors. Don’t settle for whatever the hardware store has in stock. Instead, get a quality hose bib installed by the experts at Syles Mechanical.

Whether you want to install a new hose bib or replace an old one, we make sure that your hose bib is secure, leak-proof, and will last you for years to come. Contact us at 519-979-2090 today to book an in-house visit today and get the process started.