13 Types of Outdoor Faucet And Their Uses

Dreaming of a functional yard and beautiful green grass? For this, you need water. And not water you carry in a bucket, but water that is easily available and has the right pressure. Depending on what you’ll be using the water for, you can choose between multiple types of outdoor faucets.

13 Most Common Types of Outdoor Faucet

When you finish reading, you will be able to choose the right faucet model for your yard.

1. Spigot faucets

Spigots are fixtures installed on the outside of a building, as opposed to faucets, which are installed inside.

They usually consist of a metal pipe and a valve shaped as an irregular circle. This needs to be turned counter-clockwise to open the valve and allow water to pour out.

Unlike faucets, spigots have a less elegant design and are not able to regulate the temperature of the water.  Spigot is a term referring to multiple types of appliances, including hose bib faucets and yard hydrants.

2. Hose bib faucets

The hose bib is a valve you attach to your garden hose to control the flow of water. It consists of a handle that rotates to screw a stem into the seat, thus sealing the opening and stopping water flow.

Hose bibs can be called multiple different names, such as garden service, lawn service, hose faucet, hose valve, outdoor tap, hose attachment, lawn hydrant, and spigot.

The terms hose bib and outdoor faucets are often used interchangeably. However, all hose bibs are outdoor faucets, but not all outdoor faucets are hose bibs.

3. Ball valve faucets

Ball valve faucets are simpler mechanisms, consisting of a ball with a hole that opens and closes. This type of appliance is recommended when water flow adjustment is not very important.

For instance, if you need a shutoff valve, a ball valve faucet is the best choice.  When a valve is not used for years, standard types with rubber washers harden with time and do not work anymore when needed.

A ball type shutoff type is a simpler mechanism, with fewer fussy components that can become defective. This type of valve is also called a ‘quarter turn’ valve.

4. Frost-proof outdoor faucets

Frost-proof outdoor faucets are necessary in colder climates as freezing water causes pipes to burst.

An anti-freeze spigot is not much different from the traditional version. Unlike a typical hose bib, it is attached to a tube that can be up to 24 inches long.

A compression valve is located at the supply end of the tube. The valve is connected to the faucet handle through a long rod. This way, the water connection is moved inside the house, where water is unlikely to freeze.

5. Anti-siphon faucets

The anti-siphon faucet has been invented to avoid the contamination of fresh water supply. This type of faucet prevents dirty water from being drawn back or siphoned into the water supply system.

Contamination can happen when a hose lies in a puddle. If a sudden drop in pressure occurs somewhere in your pipe system, dirty water can be sucked back.

Install this type of faucet if the spout comes in contact with drain water. Some plumbing codes even require the use of anti-siphon protection for exterior faucets or sill-cocks.

6. Yard hydrants

Yard hydrants are commonly-used types of outdoor faucet, preferred in home and industrial settings. They have a non-freeze design and are ideal for all environments. These appliances are found in farms, rural residences, and campgrounds.

A yard hydrant has a handle on the head controlling its operation. To start the flow of water, you just lift the handle up. Yard hydrants are some of the most effective outdoor faucet handle types with water being drained from the pipe below.

7. Wall hydrants

Wall hydrants are, as their name suggests, hydrants mounted on a wall. They are used as water supply for winterizing and servicing of irrigation sprinkler systems. Wall hydrants can withstand a pressure of up to 175 psi and can be tamper resistant by being operated with a special key.

Their main advantage is not being able to operate them unless you are authorized. They don’t have handles and you need a key to start or stop the flow of water.

8. Outdoor shower faucets

Would you like to have an outdoor shower installed in your yard?  They are very convenient if you want to rinse after using the pool or for bathing your pets.

For this application, however, using a yard hydrant is obviously not the right choice. Just using old outdoor faucet types is not suitable either. There are outdoor shower fixtures that can be just as comfortable and functional as an indoor shower head. The main types of outdoor shower faucets are:

• Freestanding outdoor showers – they are standalone fixtures attached directly to the ground or a shower tray
• Wall-mount showers – are attached to a fence, a wall, or another solid structure.

9. Outdoor kitchen faucets

Many people extend their living spaces into their yard, building outdoor kitchens and lounges. If you want to take your cooking out of the house, you definitely need a source of water.

Outdoor kitchen faucets need to be durable as they need to face the elements year after year. The top choice is stainless steel, as it doesn’t corrode and stands the test of time.

Prices for outdoor kitchen faucets range between $100 and $1500 or more. For those with a more generous budget, commercial-grade restaurant faucets are the best option. They provide excellent functionality and are resilient.

10. Tee handles

Tee handles refer to the control system of the outdoor faucet. Tee handles are designed for lawn valves or faucets and have a square stem. This design is built to last and be easy to use.

This type of outdoor faucet is often chosen in case of outdoor faucet replacement due to their durability.

Not sure what types of outdoor faucets you are looking at?

Check the outdoor faucet parts diagram for more information.

11. Wheel handles

Wheel handles determine a different type of outdoor faucet. As their name implies, wheel handles have the shape of a wheel.

Wheel handles are chosen because they allow a better grip and are easier to operate in outdoor environments. Just the handle part of a hose bib can be replaced, and this part can cost as little as $5.

12. Turn hose handles

Turn hose handles have a full port design, allowing unrestricted water flow. The handle needs to be turned a quarter turn for full access to water.

Choose a turn hose handle if you just want quick access to water without regulating the flow. This is faster and easier than turning a handle several rotations to obtain high water pressure.

13. Oversized handles

Oversized handles are recommended if you want to be able to turn water on and off more easily. Their design ensures additional leverage and a grippable surface.

For instance, you need to easily operate an outdoor faucet with work gloves on – oversized handles are the best option. Oversized outdoor handles are also recommended for people suffering from arthritis or hand soreness. For these categories, small metal handles can be hard to manage.

Most oversized handles are made from durable ABS plastic, which can handle both hot and cold weather.

Bottomline

In an ideal world, you just pick an outdoor faucet, install it, and use it pain-free.

However, in the real world, there are multiple factors that influence the usability of an outdoor faucet:

• Climate
• Waterflow needs
• Frequency of use
• Destination of the water being used
• Hoses coming in contact with drain water
• Different ability levels of users

As a result, different types of outdoor faucets have been developed, with features such as non-freezing or anti-siphon. There are also different types of handles for the needs and preferences of every user.

Choosing the right types of outdoor faucets depends on their destination. One type of faucet can be perfect with a sprinkler system but not suit an outdoor kitchen. Checking the outdoor faucet parts diaphragm can help you make the right decision.