The Best Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets for Cold Weather Use
Living in cold climates with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures presents unique challenges when it comes to outdoor water access. Standard outdoor faucets and spigots are prone to freezing, cracking, and bursting during the winter months. Using the wrong materials can lead to broken pipes, water damage, and costly repairs.
Frost-free outdoor faucets provide a solution designed specifically for cold weather use. These specialty faucets have an inner valve mechanism that self-drains when turned off to prevent freezing. There are several different types of frost-free outdoor faucets to choose from, each with their own features and benefits for keeping water flowing even when temperatures dip below freezing.
What are Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets?
Frost-free outdoor faucets, also known as sillcocks or hose bibs, are designed to prevent freezing and burst pipes during cold weather conditions. They work by extending the shut-off valve and water control deeper into the warm space of a building. This allows any remaining water in the spout or exterior pipe to drain out completely when the faucet is turned off.
Standard outdoor faucets have the shut-off valve in the main indoor water line. When turned off, water remains trapped in the outdoor pipe and freezes readily in sub-zero temperatures. Frost-free faucets avoid this issue through an extended stem and inlet tube that brings the control valve and shut-off deeper inside where temperatures stay safely above freezing all winter long.
Benefits of Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets
- Prevent frozen, cracked, and burst pipes
- Allow year-round outdoor water access
- Reduce risk of basement flooding and water damage
- Don't require seasonal draining or winterizing
- Durable brass, copper, or stainless steel construction
- Save on plumbing repairs and replacement costs
Types of Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets
There are three main types of frost-free outdoor faucets to choose from:
Vacuum Breaker Faucets
Vacuum breaker spigots contain a vacuum sealed mechanism inside the valve body. When the faucet is turned off, the vacuum sucks water back out of the exterior pipe to prevent freezing. These faucets have an angled head to promote drainage and often include a backflow prevention device.
Freeze-Proof Faucets
Freeze-proof faucets operate with a long inlet tube that extends into a heated indoor space. The shut-off valve and control are based deep inside the building insulation where freezing cannot occur. When turned off, water drains from the exterior pipe.
Insulated Faucets
Insulated faucets have foam-lined inlet tubes and valve bodies to prevent freezing by trapping warmth inside. They do not drain fully when shut off but rather rely on the insulating properties to maintain above freezing temperatures. These tend to be more affordable but less reliable.
Key Features of Frost-Free Faucets
There are certain features that allow frost-free faucets to operate effectively during freezing conditions:
Vacuum Breaker
The vacuum breaker is the inner mechanism that creates a self-draining effect when turned off, pulling water back inside so it cannot freeze outdoors. This is a key feature of most vacuum breaker and freeze-proof faucet designs.
Depth of Bury
Frost-free faucets need to be buried below the frost line, which is the deepest level groundwater freezes. The depth varies by region but is typically 12-36 inches. Burying the exterior pipe and inlet tube below this frost line prevents freezing.
Backflow Prevention
Backflow prevention stops contaminated water from siphoning back into clean water supplies. It is an important feature for faucets hooked up to garden hoses. Vacuum breaker and anti-siphon valves provide protection.
Durable Materials
Sturdy brass, copper, or stainless steel components last through seasons of cold, ice, and snow. Plastic parts tend to become brittle and crack with frequent freezing. All materials must withstand sub-zero temperatures.
Best Frost-Free Faucets for Cold Climates
These top-rated brands offer reliable frost-free outdoor faucets made to last through tough winters:
Woodford Outdoor Faucets
Woodford is the leading manufacturer of frost-free sillcocks and vacuum breaker faucets. Their products feature solid brass bodies, stainless steel stems, and a 10-year warranty for leak-free performance down to -20degF.
Legend Valve Frost-Free Faucets
Legend frost-free faucets have a patented FreezeBuster design allowing water to drain fully with the valve located indoors. They also incorporate a backflow preventer for safety.
Prier Brass Frost-Proof Faucets
Prier frost-proof faucets feature durable silicon bronze and brass construction with a 90deg stem angle that promotes drainage. A vacuum breaker prevents backflow during hose use.
Orbit Frost-Free Faucets
Orbit frost-free faucets have a commercial-grade brass body and stainless steel stem rated to -20degF. An ergonomic handle makes operation smooth and easy, even with gloves on.
Yard Butler Frost-Free Faucets
Yard Butler offers affordable frost-free faucets with a durable zinc die cast body and 3/4" NPT male threaded inlet. An 8" bury depth provides freeze protection.
Installing Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets
Proper installation is key to getting the most out of a frost-free outdoor faucet and preventing freezing issues:
Tools Needed
Installing a frost-free faucet requires a few standard tools - adjustable wrenches, Teflon tape, pipe joint compound, a hacksaw to cut pipes, and a power drill for holes.
Step-by-Step Process
- Shut off main indoor water supply and open outside faucet to drain lines
- Disconnect and remove existing outdoor faucet
- Apply plumber's tape to new faucet threads to prevent leaks
- Drill hole in wall at proper depth and angle for new faucet
- Secure faucet to exterior wall using provided screws
- Connect inlet tube to control valve and tighten fittings
- Attach exterior pipe to faucet spout and test for leaks
- Bury pipe below frost line and slope for proper drainage
Avoid Common Mistakes
Some key mistakes lead to malfunctioning frost-free faucets:
- Not burying pipe deep enough below frost line
- Improper faucet angle preventing water from draining fully
- Cracks or gaps allowing cold air inside to freeze water
- Forgetting to remove exterior hose in winter
Maintaining and Repairing Frost-Free Faucets
Like any outdoor faucet, frost-free models require seasonal maintenance to stay in proper working condition:
Winterizing
In winter, remove hoses and make sure the faucet is angled downward so all water can drain out when turned off. Consider covering with an insulated faucet bib cover for extra freeze protection.
For drips and leaks around the spout, replacing faucet washers and seals with plumber's tape often does the trick to keep things watertight.