10 Old Types of Outdoor Faucet

Need to install a fixture or an anti-siphon faucet in your outdoors? Does an existing faucet leak or freeze, and do you need to replace it? Outdoor faucets are a big help, though there are different old faucet types, each fulfilling a different purpose. These are needed to water your lawn, fill your kid’s pool, or wash your hands.

The traditional or the old outdoor faucet types are made from either iron or copper. They are mostly used with a hose but never with the city plumbing lines. Modern-day outdoor faucets are made from stainless steel or other alloys that help prevent corrosion.

The fact that there are many outdoor faucet types means that you need to know in detail about these types before choosing to fix a few in your outdoors. Here are the details that you should know:

1. Spigots

The most commonly used old outdoor faucet type is the spigot. They are also the simplest type. You can directly connect the spigot to the water line. You can connect a hose to the spigot and use the water. These are mostly made from brass, sometimes even from plastic.

The spigots are easily found in hardware stores, online and offline. Usually, the spigot costs between $15 and $20.

One more variant of the traditional fixture is the utility sink, which is bigger than the usual spigot and has a drain hole at the end.

The problem with spigots is that they are not weather-proof and tend to perform poorly at cold temperatures.

2. Ball Valve Faucet

This faucet type can be used both inside and outside your home. A shut-off valve is the common use of these faucets indoors, preventing seepage and draining off of the water. The ball valve faucet is called so because a ball mechanism is used to operate the valve.

In the outdoors, these types of faucets are utilized for landscaping purposes. With a simple ‘on’ and ‘off’ switch, the faucet helps start water flow or stop it. It has a single-handle control that lets the water on or off. These faucets are connected to the main water pipe, usually at the backside of the property, and are either made of stainless steel or brass. Due to this, the faucets are quite sturdy and long-standing, effectively resisting almost all kinds of weather conditions.

Due to the presence of the removable head, it is pretty easy to clean this old outdoor faucet type.

3. Yard Hydrants

Typical of their name, these old outdoor faucet types are meant for the yard. These are connected to the underground water supply line. Unlike spigots, yard hydrants usually do not freeze during winter, thus preventing clogging. These are also not fitted to the outer walls of your home and can be installed far away from your house.

If your outdoors is a large space and needs water for vegetation purposes, yard hydrants are the best option. Even for outdoor swimming pools, these outdoor faucets are a big aid. The operation of the faucet is easy using a handle. When the handle is pulled with high force, the water is released with higher force, and vice versa.

These hydrants have a valve that helps drain away the water into the surrounding region. The cost of yard hydrants depends on the depth of the faucet. A basic 2 feet depth costs between $100 and $165.

4. Wall Hydrants

These hydrants are mostly used for firefighting but can also be used for watering ponds and fountains. Wall hydrants are old outdoor faucet types fixed onto the exterior wall, and their working is almost like yard hydrants. These faucets help cover a large part of your outdoors.

Operating a wall hydrant is not as easy as a yard hydrant. You need keys to open and close the valve and even restrict the water flow. These are not as convenient as other outdoor faucets, but the keys help to access only your water supply.

Wall hydrants come in all sizes – circular, square, and rectangular. The cost of these hydrants depends on the thickness and size of the faucets. The cost of a basic wall hydrant with a flange length of 7 inches and a wall thickness of 6 inches is approximately between $200 and $250.

5. Anti-Siphon Faucets

Another useful old outdoor faucet type is the anti-siphon faucet. These are also called non-siphon faucets. The faucets are designed to prevent the water from siphoning or draining into the main water supply line.

When the water exceeds about 1 gallon of water per minute, the anti-siphon feature of the faucet comes into action. These faucets are mostly used in bathrooms and kitchens. Unlike other types of old outdoor faucets, these do not have an automatic shutoff feature and, therefore, can result in energy loss.

6. Frost-Proof Faucet

A spigot or any other old outdoor faucet type is prone to break during the very cold season, especially in places where snowing is common during winter. Therefore, you need a frost-proof faucet if snowing and cold temperatures are common in the place you live.

If you see the picture here, the faucet has a long metal inner tube that continues inside the house. The valve is quite far enough, and it helps keep the water inside warm and prevent freezing. However, be sure to disconnect a hose if you are using one because staying connected to a hose during the cold season can freeze the water inside.

Homeowners must understand that since the valve is far away, it takes some time for the water to flow out when you use it. Frost-proof faucets are made of aluminum, plastic, brass, cast iron, and die-cast aluminum. Aluminum and brass old outdoor faucet types are the cheapest.

7. Outdoor Kitchen Faucet

This one is similar to indoor kitchen faucets. The outdoor kitchen faucets are best used when you have built a separate area in your backyard or lawns for outdoor cooking and entertaining guests. This type helps provide hot and cold water and drinking water outdoors.

Of all the materials, stainless steel outdoor kitchen faucets are the best. They are durable and less resistant to wear and tear from water, regular usage, and even outdoor conditions. The old stainless steel outdoor faucet type is also strong enough to withstand heat changes, temperature changes, and humid conditions.

8. Hose Bib

The hose pipe is a functional old outdoor faucet type. It has a compression valve that helps control the water flow and avoid wastage. It is used mainly as a garden hose and helps water plants and irrigate your kitchen garden.

The hose bibs are detachable, which is one of the best benefits of this outdoor faucet type. The threaded connection means that these can be screwed onto a garden hose whenever you want and detached after use. The washer helps in water control when the bibs are not in use. The hose bib is mostly attached to the outside of the house walls.

One word of caution: like spigots, hose bibs are made to resist weather conditions outdoors, especially frost and freeze. Thus, these bibs are prone to damage after use for two or three seasons.

9. Weatherproof Faucets

As the name suggests, these faucets are designed from materials to withstand the weather conditions outdoors effectively throughout the year. Weatherproof faucets are best used in places that face the brunt of the sun, snow, rain, dust, and storms throughout the year. Stainless steel is the best option as it is resistant to most external climatic conditions. Brass is a good material, too, but it is a bit more expensive than stainless steel faucets.

10. Outdoor Shower Faucet

Outdoor shower faucets are the same as indoor shower faucets, though there is a big difference between the material and the kit cost. The installation costs are also lower vis-a-vis indoor shower faucets. The materials available are stainless steel, bronze, and even luxurious and fancy items like wood, marble, and more.

Conclusion

Outdoor faucets are so common that you do not give much thought to their health until one of them needs a replacement. But it is a good idea to know about the different old outdoor faucet types that can be used at your place. Some of these are meant for daily use, while a few others are a luxurious addition to your place.

Installation of these faucets using DIY methods is usually not recommended. It is always best to get help from professional plumbers. It does cost a few hundred bucks, but the work is done well and reliably with an assurance of long-term use.

Let us know in the comments below if this list of old outdoor faucet types helped you pick the right one for your outdoors.