What Is a Freeze-Proof Hose Spigot?
In the interest of helping our customers better understand the plumbing systems and products installed in their homes, including those that are often taken for granted, in this post we’d like to look closer at freeze-proof outdoor hose spigots. The reason for this timing is clear: summertime is when our plumbing team is often called upon to replace leaky old spigots or add new ones in new locations.
Freeze-proof hose spigots are a household plumbing product, normally found outdoors around our homes in several locations, that are now standard in new home construction. When they’re doing their jobs right we give little thought to them beyond turning the water on and off. Also known as frost-proof or freeze-free hose bibs or outdoor faucets, freeze-proof hose spigots are another good example of plumbing innovation making our daily lives simpler and less stressful.
For this discussion, we’ll focus on the two most popular freeze-proof outdoor garden hose spigots that our plumbing team at Save Home Heat Company installs, the Model 17 and Model 19 Freezeless Anti-Siphon Wall Faucets built by Woodford Manufacturing (of Colorado Springs!).
Freeze-Proof Garden Hose Spigots: The Basics
Freeze-proof garden hose spigots are exactly what they sound like: outdoor water faucets that are designed to avoid the risk of freezing conditions cracking the valve. How do they do this? These faucets have an extra-long pipe stem extending into heated space within the home, whose water shutoff assembly is located in the heated space portion of the valve. When properly installed, the parts inside the valve where water may collect after the valve is turned off do not experience freezing conditions.
How Should Freezeless Hose Bibs Be Installed?
Installed with a slight downward slope away from the home, toward the outdoors, when the valve is turned off the remaining water inside the stem drains naturally and safely to the outside. Very little water remains in the part of the valve stem that may be exposed to freezing conditions, not enough to cause any potential issues. Installed properly and securely, freeze-proof hose spigots normally provide many years of trouble-free service.
Key Features of Freeze-Proof Water Spigots
The Woodford brand Model 17 and Model 19 freezeless wall faucets offer several features that make them a popular choice of professional plumbers around the Boulder-Denver area. These include:
Construction:
- Stainless steel valve seat
- EPDM rubber valve packing
- lead-free solder used in construction
Design Highlights:
- Patented resetting internal pressure relief valve
- Built-in backflow protection device
Performance Ratings:
- 125 psi pressure rating
- Rated for up to 12 hours of continuous water pressure
- 120 degree F temperature rating (well above normal outdoor spigot water temps)
Installation & Operation Details:
- Available with threaded, copper sweat, or a variety of plastic pipe connections
- Optional T-key handle available (for water security purposes)
The Woodford freezeless spigots meet standards established by several national and international plumbing associations, including the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
What to Know About Installation
As mentioned above, the most important installation feature is that the faucet be installed with a slight downward pitch away from the house, following the manufacturer’s installation instructions to the letter. This is crucial.
A Friendly Word of Caution
Here’s a quick word of caution about freeze-proof hose spigots and garden hoses: If a garden hose is left connected to the valve under freezing conditions and water remains inside the hose and the valve stem, then a freeze and a split could potentially occur in the valve. While the Woodford line of outdoor spigots is designed to minimize or eliminate the risk of this occurring, our team urges homeowners to make sure to always disconnect hoses or other outdoor water products from the spigots before freezing temperatures occur. Play it safe and be proactive!
Expert Plumbing Solutions in Denver-Boulder
Now is the ideal time to have one of our plumbers replace old water spigots or perform outdoor plumbing repairs or upgrades. It won’t be long before colder weather returns to the Boulder-Denver metro area.
Our expert plumbing team at Save Home Heat can help you with virtually any home plumbing need, from hose spigots, plumbing repairs, disposals, and laundry sinks, to water heaters, boilers, water treatment products, and much more. In the Denver-Boulder area, please reach out to our team today for quality plumbing products and service that you’ll appreciate for years to come.
Please contact me to schedule a plumbing install quote or a service call!
