Being a prime necessity of every home, faucets are indispensable inside as well as outside the home. They become integral outside where water consumption is concerned with gardening or washing. But, considering weather variations is utterly important for protecting water. This is why freeze-proof outdoor faucets should be prioritized in cold areas. This article aims to articulate the different aspects of these faucets and their vital factors to ponder while buying the best freeze-proof outdoor faucet. With that in mind, we have reviewed the best such faucets with their upsides and downsides. Before going further, understand first why we need them.
Why do you need a freeze-proof outdoor faucet?
This is quite meaningful to understand the significance of an outdoor faucet. In this wake, there are a couple of reasons. Firstly, if you have a lawn or a backyard, watering will be frequently needed. You can also utilize other tools i.e. sprinkler, watering can, or a hose but each one of them has some limitations. The sprinkler system is costly. A watering pot or sprinkling can contain limited water and is not feasible for massive watering. Next, a hose needs to be attached to the tap inside the home offending the residents working around the extended pipe. This way, if you have an outdoor faucet, it will be quite effortless to connect the hose and consume water wherever needed with the long pipe.
Secondly, when vehicle service is required, a huge amount of water is expected with high pressure. There too such an outdoor faucet benefits a lot.
Thirdly, the usage can be intended in a public place for people’s convenience.
Now, the question arises why not use an outdoor faucet instead of a frost-free outdoor faucet?
The answer is straightforward in winter when the weather is extremely cold, water inside the stem of the faucet becomes too cold to flow. This goes to the state of freezing. The frozen water is unable to pour out from the tap. The worst thing is that even the continuous force exerted on this frozen water by the fresh water from the water supply source is unable to move it. Consequently, the pipe can burst and you can come across a flood inside the home. Is that favorable?
Certainly not! This is why it is absolutely significant to have an outdoor faucet whose stem (the inlet from where the water comes to the outlet) resides inside the dwelling and only the outlet sets outside either in a yard or anywhere you need it.
Since the stem lies inside where the temperature is normal, the water won’t freeze but rather remain at a normal temperature. This is why we need to have a freeze-proof sill cock.
Best Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets Review
In this article, we have suggested the best sill cocks available in the market. The criteria for choosing them are the affordable cost, versatility for pipe connectivity, anti-siphon, threaded spout, and prolonged durability.
Before moving further, this is of utmost importance to be familiar with the typical terms that will be used repeatedly in this article.
Sill cock is the outdoor freeze-proof faucet. The name expresses that it is at a sill (specific height) from the ground which is why it is called a sill cock.
A stem is the indoor plumbing fixture of the faucet that stays inside and is connected further with the pipe of the water supply system of a home. It gets water and delivers it to the outlet (spout).
A spout or outlet is the structure from where the water pours out.
Hose bib or spigot reflects the threaded spout. These threads are for the sake of connectivity with a garden hose. An outdoor freeze-proof threaded hose bib is also called a hose cock.
The hydrant mirrors any nozzle from where the water comes out.
1. SharkBite – Push to Connect Brass Frost free Sill Cock
Key Features:
- Brand: SharkBite
- Material: Brass
- Dimensions: 13.65 x 2.28 x 3.17 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Exterior Finish: Brass
If your major concern is installation, this frost-free sill cock is verily for you. With a “push to connect” principle, you can simply mount this faucet instantly without using any tools, glue, crimping, or soldering. This is truly one of the easiest faucets to install. Not only installation, but the use is also very practical.
An added advantage of this sill cock is the connectivity with various types of pipes. In this wake, it can connect to PE-RT, Copper, CPVC, HDPE, and PEX pipe. If you have any of these pipes in the water supply line, you will encounter no worries. Just assemble the stem of the required size with the pipe and protect the water from drastic cold conditions.
This is not all! In this top-notch, you will be able to have water pressure up to 200 PSI. Oftentimes, when water is needed for vehicle service or watering the lawn, you need high pressure. Since the diameter of its stem and outlet valve is valid, it can support the aforementioned high pressure.
Besides pressure, it can also tolerate temperature fluctuations such as temperatures up to 200°F. With that in mind, you can also use it for hydronic heat applications. This reflects the use of geysers or any heating system in the house.
Additionally, the need for a hose connection has also been kept in view while manufacturing which is why threads have been made on the outlet with which a hose can be attached. This corresponding pipe can be extended to use for varying purposes.
This may also delight you that this product is approved by legal standards which assure its quality. In due course, it will provide you with a very efficient system of water supply by ensuring the prevention of all leaks in connection. All these traits make it the best freeze-proof faucet.
2. Sharkbite – Push to Connect Brass Frost Free Hose Bib
Key Features:
- Brand: SharkBite
- Material: Stainless Steel, Brass, Copper
- Dimensions: 3.19 x 2.44 x 2.44 inches
- Weight: 7 ounces
- Exterior Finish: Brass
This sill cock also belongs to the same brand i.e. SharkBite as the previous product ergo its installation is understandable and doesn’t need any tools. This faucet can be fixed with the same “push to connect” technology. In short, this is also the best freeze-proof faucet next to the prior faucet.
Markedly, this product is far cheaper than the previous sill cock. In this way, if your budget is limited and you want a product that is worth money, simply purchase it.
Its spout also contains threads thus it is said to be a threaded hose bib. Its little blue handle is nice and obvious to use. It becomes functional when turned around. Another resemblance is that it can connect to different pipes such as copper, PE-RT, PEX, CPVC, and HDPE.
However, the shape of the outlet differs from the aforesaid product as it is bent at a 45-degree angle which is not a sharp bend (hose kink). This is the actual difference between these faucets. Its handle is located above the spout, while the previous one’s handle is ahead of the spout. Also, that spout is not bent at a 45-degree angle as you can see from the picture. Usually, a nut set above the faucet is a sign of anti-siphon that is lacking in this product.
Coming towards tolerance, it can sustain water temperature and pressure in the same manner as the prior product such as up to 200°F and 200 PSI.
Like the last product, it is also approved so its integrity is credible. The brass material provides phenomenal sturdiness.
3. LDR Industries – Cheapest Freeze Proof Faucet
Key Features:
- Brand: LDR Industries
- Material: Brass
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.75 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 7.4 ounces
- Color: Brass
This product from LDR Industries has a specialty in the comfort of use. Briefly mentioning, its round handle is comparatively easier to use because it can be turned on and off with just a quick rotation. Hence this product is considered the simplest to use.
Heading further, its price is truly market competitive. Having a well-rated sill cock under a few dollars is not an ordinary deal.
Furthermore, in this best frost-free hose bib, the notched flange is stable which is why the installation is a breeze. The brass construction makes this faucet a robust product to tolerate temperature and pressure variations. Such things have been addressed while manufacturing ergo it is the best choice for many consumers. Regarding pressure, the hydrant has an adequate diameter like earlier products so the high pressure can be survived.
The spigot has a thread-like structure to grip any pipe joined for plant watering. The construction with a brass material makes it flexible to any climate conditions.
Also, it is bent a bit for appropriate drainage. Inside the valve, there is a sealing disc of neoprene which is a high quality lasting material.
4. Prier – Vandal Proof Frost Free outside faucet
Key Features:
- Brand: Prier
- Material: Brass
- Dimensions: 12.75 x 3.5 x 3 inches
- Weight: 1.36 pounds
- Finish Type: Nickel-plated
One of the recurrent technologies used in public places to avert water wastage and permit only the needy consumers to access water is titled vandal-proof operation. This technology has been authorized in this product so if this faucet needs to be installed in a public place, it can be used without any worries of overconsumption. Indeed this feature makes it the best outdoor freeze-proof faucet.
As the name represents it is anti-siphon so its vacuum breaker hinders the water from going back to the water supply source. This leads to the entire prevention of water contamination.
Furthermore, the spout has been designed at an angle of 4 degrees to ensure rapid water pouring. The handle is handy and can be rotated quarterly. This much rotation keeps the flow controlled under optimum pressure.
Nextly, it contains threads on the spout which enables the connection of the garden hose with the threads.
Overall, it will provide efficient protection from freezing in cold conditions whilst delivering clean water. All these characteristics make this hydrant the best frost-free hose bib.
5. Midline Valve – Anti-siphon Freeze Proof Outdoor Sill Cock
Key Features:
- Brand: Midline Valve
- Material: Brass
- Dimensions: 3 x 1 x 2 inches
- Weight: 2.56 ounces
- Finish Type: Polished
The next best frost-proof outdoor faucet has a paramount specialty of anti-siphon feature which means water pollution risk is eliminated because backflow is deterred. This is the reason it can be used in backyards as the water is potable.
What’s more, its body is chrome plated along with the brass construction which makes it corrosion free and long-lasting.
One other valuable function is that it can either be used as an independent faucet or as a hose connector because the outlet contains threads to freely connect.
The handle is round and can be rotated handily. Because it is not like an “either open or shut” valve, the pressure can be adjusted as per requirements by turning the handle a little or more. The working pressure is 150 WOG.
Lastly, it is also approved and doesn’t contain Lead constituents which have the potential to harm the environment.
Best Freeze Proof Outdoor Faucet Buying Guide
In the market of frost-free sill cocks assortment, it is quite essential to be aware of the must-haves of a sill cock. This will assure that your money has not been consumed over a valueless product. The major factors to be aware of in this wake are compacted below.
Installation and Connectivity with pipes
Conversely, an outdoor faucet should get installed with the technology “push and fit“. According to this, the stem is cut to the desired size. Afterward, the faucet is pushed into the wall hole and the stem is fit to the pipe of the water supply system. The flange is stabilized by screws. This is a simple push and connects rule.
Following this, the best frost-proof outdoor faucet is the one that is versatile for pipes of any diameter. Different water supply systems can contain pipes of varied varieties. Accordingly, their diameter is also altered. Some of the inlets have a very small hole for pipe joining which becomes challenging. However, diverse pipe connectors are also out in the market to adjust any diameter.
Ease of use and endurance
Usually, the sill cocks are made with brass which is a vigorous and non-destructive material to survive weather conditions. It provides strength to stay functional in the long run.
Since a faucet exposed to varying weather conditions can undergo rusting, the product must stay unaffected. The final finishing provides this capability. The finishing can be of different materials typically nickel, chromium, and Brass.
Regarding ease of use, the handle is the first thing to ponder over. Some handles have knobby ends that are somehow not effective. Observations show that a round handle is more beneficial that can provide full control overflow. Based on the use, occasionally more pressure is wanted and vice versa. Handles that allow more rotation give more control.
Ease of use is also linked with the threaded spout that has been discussed below separately.
Threaded hose bib
This is indeed inevitable. The reason is you install an outdoor faucet for the objectives that cannot be fulfilled right beneath the spout. You for sure need an extensive pipe. But if your spout doesn’t have threads on it, it won’t be likely to grip the pipe. Hence the best frost-free hose bib threads are made to tightly hold the edge of the pipe specifically designed for this connection.
Now with such a hose bib, you can easily consume water for any purpose.
Anti-siphon faucet
The threaded spout of a freeze-proof sill cock is often connected with a hose for different purposes. Sometimes, the water from this connected pipe goes back to the outlet and further to the water supply source. If this happens, the contamination of that sucked water can pollute the entire water. This situation should be averted at all costs. Keeping this in view, the manufacturers have made the valves in a unique way in which a vacuum breaker halts the water from going back to the source. It only allows the forward flow of water whereas it deters the backward flow. Such a hose bib is called the anti-siphon faucet is suggested to prefer.
Vandal-resistant faucet
As the name represents, this operation sets the faucet free from vandals who tend to consume water excessively even when not needed. This is prevalent in public places where a careless attitude of such people can lead to a water shortage. To encounter it, some spigots are made vandal-proof.
In such an anti-tamper valve, a key is inserted in the head unit that locks the handle to be moved. Resultantly, only authorized users can consume water. The lock can be released by loosening the anti-tamper key.
In the above-mentioned faucets, the Prier – Vandal Proof Frost Free outside faucet provides this ease that is truly a practical feature.
Cost
The best freeze-proof outdoor faucet can be availed in the range of 10-40$. We recommend you to not spend an amount out of this range. All the faucets we have recommended above lie in this range.
The cheapest frost-free sill cock among all is LDR Industries-cheapest frost-free hose bib which is also all-in-all in its features. If you are looking for a cheap but high-quality faucet, we strongly recommend this.
Conclusion
All the top-notches discussed above have extraordinary features that make them worth money. However, if you are looking for the best freeze proof outdoor faucet, we recommend you SharkBite- Push to connect Brass freeze proof outdoor faucet
The features that distinguish it from others are its versatility to connect with different pipes, threaded spout, quality assurance, and ability to stand high temperatures.
However, you can also consider LDR Industries-cheapest frost-free hose bib if it doesn’t lie under your budget. It costs a few dollars only but provides high ease of use.
