6 Different Types of Outdoor Water Spigots (Pros & Cons)

An outdoor spigot can be one of the most useful outdoor plumbing features, be it for your gardening needs, washing the car, or watering the lawn. A spigot is a faucet for the outdoor part of your house. Unlike indoor faucets, a spigot is not built to have hot and cold water channels and serves different purposes.

Since spigots come in many different designs, you will need to consider your yard design and which part of the globe your house is located in, especially if you live in a seasonal country, to choose the right one for your needs. Here are six efficient types of outdoor water spigots for you to consider.

1. Basic Spigot

This humble design can be commonly found in many outdoor parts of houses. The spigot is made of brass or steel, making it highly durable. The internal compression valve works by restricting water flow when you turn off the spigot by twisting the handle.

Pros: Simple, durable, flexible to be used with sprinklers, and can be easily repaired.

Cons: Not suitable for cold, freezing temperatures.

2. Hose Bib Spigot

A hose bib spigot has a threaded spout that makes it easier to attach a hose. It drains excess water from the spout to prevent water from freezing up inside the spigot.

With this type of spigot, you need to take extra care in the winter months. Remember to turn off the shut-off valve for the pipe leading to the hose bib spigot and detach the hose to prevent any trapped water from freezing.

Pros: Easy to attach a hose and it is long-lasting.

Cons: May still freeze in cold, freezing temperatures.

3. Frost-Proof Spigot

If you live in a cold climate, you need to install a spigot that will withstand frost. In freezing conditions, water trapped in a faucet will freeze and can cause pipes to break and the hose to crack.

The internal part of a frost-proof spigot has a metal tube that is long enough to extend into the house. This metal tube has a valve that controls water flow. When the spigot is turned off, the valve prevents water from flowing further down the tube and settling at the outer part of the spigot.

The water is retained at the inside part of the pipe and is kept at room temperature. This prevents the unwanted consequence of water being trapped further out in the spigot and freezing, which can damage the spigot.

A frost-proof spigot has a spout at a downward angle so it does not store any water that could freeze at cold temperatures. You should also detach the hose when you are not using the spigot to avoid any water freezing.

Pros: Withstands cold, freezing temperatures.

Cons: Costly.

4. Anti-Siphon Spigot

Most modern homes already have an anti-siphon spigot with a valve that prohibits the backflow of unclean water from contaminating the clean water source. There are federal housing codes in the US requiring houses to be equipped with anti-siphoning spigots or devices.

Anti-siphoning spigot already has a contraption designed to prevent water contamination. As for the outdoor faucet, it requires an anti-siphoning valve that needs to be attached to prevent backflow.

Pros: Keeps water supply inside the home safe for use and valve is easy to install.

Cons: Costly.

5. Ball Valve Spigot

This low-maintenance spigot uses a ball at the valve area to control water flow. It functions very much like an on-off light switch. When the spigot is turned off by turning the handle 90 degrees, the valve completely blocks the channel and no water flows through.

Pros: Low maintenance, suitable for indoor and outdoor faucets, and a good choice for plumbing.

Cons: Does not have full control over water flow.

6. Yard Hydrant

This conspicuous-looking spigot is used for large properties, such as public parks or golf courses. A yard hydrant is made from cast iron for durability, while the vertical pipe that connects to the hydrant is made of galvanized steel.

The yard hydrant has a large handle that allows water flow when lifted. It gets its water supply from underground water pipes that are typically designed to withstand cold, freezing temperatures.

Pros: Suitable for large areas, does not need to be connected to your house water supply, and works all year round.

Cons: Large area to cover and there is a possibility of water thieves taking advantage of the underground water supply.