A frost-free outdoor faucet genuinely provides essential protection for any home located in a cold climate.
In fact, the best frost-free faucet is fundamentally crucial for preventing the catastrophic water damage that a burst pipe can cause during the winter.
5 Best Frost Free Outdoor Faucets
1. Best Overall: Woodford Model 19 Anti-Siphon Wall Faucet
- From Woodford, this brand is what most professional plumbers consider the gold standard for outdoor faucets.
- Specifically, this model is a true frost-free faucet designed for maximum protection against bursting.
- It works by placing its main shutoff valve deep inside the heated wall of your home.
- Consequently, water drains completely from the exposed portion of the faucet when you turn it off.
- In addition, it features a patented resetting pressure relief valve (PRV).
- This actively prevents the faucet tube from bursting, even if you accidentally leave a hose attached in freezing conditions.
- Furthermore, the manufacturer builds the faucet with a solid brass body for extreme durability.
- It also includes an integrated backflow preventer to protect your home’s drinking water supply.
- This faucet is ideal for homeowners in any climate with freezing winters who want the best protection available.
- Moreover, it is perfect for anyone looking for a true, professional-grade fixture.
- People know it for its exceptional build quality and its industry-leading freeze-proof design.
- In conclusion, it represents the ultimate investment in safety and peace of mind for your home’s plumbing.
2. Best Quarter-Turn: Prier P-164 Diamond Series Quarter-Turn Sillcock
- From Prier, this is another top-tier brand that specializes in durable, professional-grade outdoor faucets.
- In particular, this model is a robust, heavy-duty frost-free sillcock that is very easy to operate.
- It features a quarter-turn handle design, a key benefit for users.
- As a result, you can turn the water from fully off to fully on with a quick, 90-degree turn.
- Actively this provides a much faster and more convenient operation than traditional multi-turn faucets.
- Furthermore, the manufacturer constructs the faucet with an all-brass body and valve for superior durability.
- Prier also designed it with an ergonomic, easy-to-grip handle for smooth operation.
- The faucet includes a built-in backflow preventer to protect your household water supply.
- This faucet is ideal for users who want the convenience of a quarter-turn handle combined with frost-free protection.
- Also, it is perfect for commercial or farm use where a heavy-duty fixture is required.
- People know it for its exceptional durability, easy quarter-turn operation, and reliable freeze protection.
- Ultimately, it represents a true professional-grade choice for a lifetime of dependable service.
3. Best for Hot & Cold Water: Woodford Model 22 Hot and Cold Faucet
- From Woodford, this is a unique and highly functional faucet for outdoor use.
- Specifically, this model provides both hot and cold water in a single, frost-free fixture.
- Consequently, you can mix the water to get the perfect temperature for a variety of tasks.
- Actively this is perfect for washing cars, bathing pets, or filling a small kiddie pool with warm water.
- The faucet uses two separate handles and two separate tubes that run into your house.
- It still provides the same great frost-free protection as other Woodford models.
- Furthermore, it includes a patented draining mechanism that prevents bursting even if a hose is attached.
- The manufacturer builds it with a solid brass body and a durable nickel-plated finish.
- This faucet is ideal for homeowners who want the convenience of warm water outside.
- In addition, it is a fantastic upgrade for any outdoor kitchen, garage, or patio area.
- People know it for its unique ability to provide mixed hot and cold water in a frost-free design.
- In the end, it represents the ultimate outdoor faucet for functionality and convenience.
4. Best for DIY Installation: SharkBite Frost Free Sillcock
- From SharkBite, this is the brand that revolutionized plumbing with its easy-to-use connection system.
- In particular, this frost-free faucet features a signature Push-to-Connect inlet.
- Consequently, you can install it in just a few seconds without any soldering, clamps, or special tools.
- Actively it works on copper, PEX, and CPVC pipe, which makes it extremely versatile for any home.
- The faucet itself provides reliable frost-free protection by shutting the water off inside the wall.
- In addition, the manufacturer designed it with a heavy-duty, solid brass body for durability.
- It also includes an integrated mounting flange for a stable and secure connection to the wall.
- The quarter-turn handle provides quick and easy on-and-off operation.
- This faucet is ideal for DIY homeowners who want to quickly and easily replace an old, burst faucet.
- Also, it is perfect for repairs in tight spaces where using a torch for soldering would be difficult.
- People know it for its revolutionary, tool-free push-to-connect installation method.
- Ultimately, it represents the fastest and easiest way to install a new, high-quality frost-free faucet.
5. Best Value: Midline Valve Frost Free Sillcock
- From Midline Valve, this is a great value option that provides essential protection at an affordable price.
- Specifically, it is a multi-turn, frost-free sillcock designed for residential use.
- Consequently, it reliably prevents your pipes from freezing and bursting during the winter.
- The manufacturer builds the faucet with a durable, heavy-duty brass body and spout.
- Actively this provides a level of quality and durability that is excellent for its price point.
- It also includes an integrated vacuum breaker to protect your water supply from backflow.
- Furthermore, it features a large, easy-to-grip handle for smooth operation.
- The faucet is available in a wide range of stem lengths to fit different wall thicknesses.
- This faucet is ideal for budget-conscious homeowners who need reliable freeze protection.
- In addition, it is a great choice for replacing multiple old faucets on a property without breaking the bank.
- People know it for its solid brass construction and its excellent, affordable price.
- In conclusion, it represents a smart and cost-effective choice for essential home protection.
Buying Guide
Choosing the best frost-free outdoor faucet genuinely means investing in a critical piece of home protection; consequently, you should understand how this technology works and what to look for to make a wise choice.
The Science of Safety: How a Frost-Free Faucet Works
First of all, a frost-free faucet, also called a sillcock, has a very long stem that can range from 4 to 14 inches long. The actual valve that shuts off the water is located at the far end of this stem, deep inside the heated part of your home. When you turn the handle on the outside, you are actually turning a long rod that closes this interior valve. As a result, when you shut the faucet off, the interior valve closes, and all the water trapped in the long stem drains out of the spout. Because no water remains in the cold, outdoor part of the faucet, there is nothing left to freeze, expand, and burst the pipe.
Choosing the Correct Length: A Critical Installation Step
Indeed, you must buy a frost-free faucet that has the correct stem length for your wall. Before you buy a replacement, you must measure the distance from the exterior surface of your siding to the water pipe connection inside your basement or crawlspace. You should then purchase a faucet with a stem length that matches this measurement (e.g., 8-inch, 10-inch, etc.). An incorrect length will not install properly.
Valve Types for Outdoor Use: Quarter-Turn vs. Multi-Turn
Furthermore, you can choose between two main handle styles.
Quarter-Turn: These faucets use an internal ball valve. In short, they are very convenient because they go from fully off to fully on with a quick 90-degree turn of the handle.
Multi-Turn: These are the traditional style. In this case, they use a compression valve with a washer. They require several full turns of the handle to open or close completely, which offers more precise flow control but is slower to operate.
Essential Safety Features: Anti-Siphon and Backflow Prevention
Finally, a crucial safety feature is an anti-siphon device or backflow preventer. This is a one-way valve that allows water to flow out but prevents it from being sucked backward into your home’s pipes. This is very important because it stops potentially contaminated water from a garden hose or a puddle from being siphoned back into your clean, potable water supply. In fact, most modern building codes require this feature.
Tips
You Must Always Disconnect Your Hoses in Winter
First and foremost, even with a frost-free faucet, you must disconnect your garden hoses before the first hard freeze; consequently, if you leave a hose attached, water can get trapped inside the faucet tube, preventing it from draining and allowing it to freeze and burst.
You Need to Ensure the Faucet is Pitched Downward
During installation, you must ensure the faucet is installed with a slight downward angle toward the outside; consequently, this allows gravity to help the water drain out of the spout completely when you turn it off.
You Should Not Leave the Faucet Dripping
Unlike an indoor faucet, you should never leave a frost-free faucet dripping during a cold snap; consequently, this can cause a dam of ice to form at the end of the spout, which traps water inside and can lead to a burst pipe.
You Can Easily Service Many Models
In addition, many high-quality frost-free faucets from brands like Prier and Woodford are designed to be serviceable from the outside; consequently, this means you can easily replace the internal washers and seals without having to cut into your wall.
You Should Use a Wall Hydrant for Commercial Use
For heavy-duty commercial or farm applications, you should consider a full wall hydrant; consequently, these are even more robust versions of a frost-free faucet and are designed for the most extreme use cases.
Comparison Table
| Product Name | Type | Key Feature | Best For | Valve Type |
| 1. Woodford Model 19 | Frost-Free, Multi-Turn | Patented Pressure Relief Valve | Ultimate Freeze Protection | Compression |
| 2. Prier P-164 | Frost-Free, Quarter-Turn | Quarter-Turn Operation | Heavy-Duty Use | Ball Valve |
| 3. Woodford Model 22 | Frost-Free, Hot & Cold | Mixes Hot and Cold Water | Outdoor Washing Tasks | Compression |
| 4. SharkBite Sillcock | Frost-Free, Quarter-Turn | Push-to-Connect Installation | Easy DIY Installation | Ball Valve |
| 5. Midline Valve Sillcock | Frost-Free, Multi-Turn | Excellent Value | Budget-Friendly Protection | Compression |
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FAQ
Q: How does a frost-free faucet work? A: It works because its long stem shuts the water off inside the warm wall of your house, which allows the outdoor pipe to drain completely.
Q: Do I really need to disconnect my hose in the winter? A: Yes, you absolutely must. Leaving a hose attached can trap water inside the faucet and cause it to freeze and burst, even if it is frost-free.
Q: What is a sillcock or hose bib? A: They are simply other professional plumbing terms for an outdoor garden faucet or spigot.
Q: What is a quarter-turn faucet? A: It is a faucet that uses a ball valve, which allows you to turn it on and off with a quick 90-degree turn of the handle.
Q: Can I install a frost-free faucet myself? A: You can if you have some plumbing experience, but it often involves working with pipes inside your wall, so a plumber is recommended.
Q: What is a backflow preventer? A: It is a critical safety device that stops contaminated water from being siphoned back into your home’s drinking water pipes.
Q: Why is my frost-free faucet dripping outside? A: It is designed to drip and drain for a few seconds after you shut it off; however, if it drips continuously, the internal washer may need to be replaced.
Conclusion
The 5 best frost-free outdoor faucets genuinely offer critical protection for your home against the dangers of a burst pipe in winter.
These essential fixtures, in fact, are engineered with a smart, simple design that provides peace of mind in any cold climate.
By choosing a high-quality, solid brass model from a trusted brand like Woodford or Prier, you are, therefore, making a vital investment in your home’s safety.
Ultimately, a reliable frost-free faucet is a small price to pay to prevent thousands of dollars in potential water damage, making it one of the smartest upgrades you can make.