If you’ve ever used a garden hose to water your yard or wash your car, you’re already familiar with a high flow hose bib. Also called a spigot, outdoor tap, or hose valve, a hose bib is an outdoor water faucet attached to the exterior of your house. This valve lets you run water from indoors to outdoors, helping you water your plants or hose the dust off your car with ease. But how can you select the correct hose bib for your home and garden? Keep reading to learn more from the expert team at Goodbee Plumbing and Drains.
Why a High Flow Hose Bib Works
A hose bib has pipes that connect to your main supply, bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor plumbing. Equipped with a threaded spout, hose bibs make it easy to hook up a garden hose and water your yard. Hose bibs are also specially designed to drip out excess water, protecting your pipes against winter freezes. So what’s the difference between high flow and run-of-the-mill hose bibs?
High Flow Hose Bib Versus Low Flow
A standard hose bib consists of a nozzle, a handle, a stem, and a body. The most common hose bibs are ½ inch or ¾ inch, correlating with the diameter of your home’s pipes. A compatible fit is essential to keep the flow rate consistent, so make sure your hose bib matches the diameter of your pipes to maintain good water flow.
However, a ¾ inch or high flow hose bib is better for some systems. For example, if you have high water pressure, a high flow hose bib can help you direct that pressure through the hose and into your yard. To determine if your home could benefit from a high flow hose bib, test your water pressure with a pressure gauge from your local hardware store. If your pressure reading is over 65 pounds per square inch (PSI), consider investing in a high flow hose bib to make the most of your system.
Hose Bib Maintenance Tips
Once you’ve installed your hose bib, it’s time to perform regular maintenance to keep your system in tip-top shape! Proper hose bib maintenance is essential during the cold winter months, so follow these tips to keep your bib from leaking or freezing:
1. Shut Off Hose Bib
To ensure that your hose bib doesn’t rupture and cause costly damage to your home and plumbing, locate the shutoff valve and cut off water flow to the spigot. This step will prevent water from getting trapped in the spigot, reducing the chance of costly freezes.
2. Disconnect the Hose and Drain the Bib
Once you’ve adjusted the shutoff valve, remove the garden hose from your spigot and drain any stagnant water. Next, turn on the hose bib and let any remaining water drip out. This will help prevent your bib from frosting over during a big freeze, saving you time and money.
3. Leave the Hose Bib On During a Freeze
While it may seem strange, leaving your hose bib turned on during the winter months helps prevent pipe freezes. If the shutoff valve you turned off in step 1 leaks, an open hose bib will channel water out of the system, preventing water from freezing in your pipes.
4. Consider a Frost-Free Hose Bib
Though frost-free hose bibs don’t look much different from a standard spigot, they pack a punch when it comes to preventing freezes. The significant advantages of a frost-free hose bib are its long pipe and better-insulated shutoff valve. If you think a frost-free bib is the right choice for your home, make sure to install it with the help of a licensed Goodbee plumber – we’ll ensure that the spigot sits at the right angle to keep water from draining to your home’s foundation.
How a High Flow Hose Bib Can Work for You
A hose bib is the most effective way to extend your indoor water supply outside, helping you reap all the benefits of outdoor plumbing such as:
1. Low-Maintenance Lawn Care
There’s no need to lug a considerable watering can around when fresh, clean water is just an outdoor spigot away. When you connect a garden hose to your high flow hose bib, you can water your lawn and flowerbeds with ease! A hose bib can also help you clean up after a long day of yard work, rinsing the dirt off your hands, shoes, and tools, so you don’t track unwanted mud into your home.
2. Easy Pool Refills
An outdoor pool is a huge draw during the summer months, but keeping your pool filled with freshwater can be a hassle. To refill your pool with ease, simply hook one end of your hose up to the outdoor spigot, place the other end into the pool, and turn on the faucet. If you want your pool to fill up extra fast, test your water pressure and invest in a high flow hose bib to pump more water into your pool quicker. You’ll have a full pool in no time!
3. Effortless Car Washing
With a garden hose and a spigot right outside your door, washing your car is a cinch! Simply park your car in a shady spot, hook up your hose, grab a bucket, and get to work. Work from top to bottom for a streakless shine, and don’t forget to scrub those tire rims. With strong water pressure and a high flow hose bib, your car will be dirt-free in no time!
4. Convenient Outdoor Pet Bathing
If you have furry friends who love outdoor adventures, a high flow hose bib can speed up your bathing process! Simply connect the hose to the bib and use a handheld spray attachment to provide your pet with a thorough and efficient bath giving you and your pet a win-win situation.
5. Garden and Landscape Maintenance
Maintaining a lush garden and well-kept landscape requires regular watering and cleaning. A high flow hose bib simplifies these tasks to allow you to water all your plants efficiently. You can also use it to clean your tools, ensuring the shelf life remains long.
6. Outdoor DIY Projects
Whether building a new outdoor structure, staining a deck, or painting a fence, a high flow hose bib can prove itself to be a valuable asset. Hose bibs enable you to connect power tools like pressure washers or paint sprayers, making DIY projects more efficient and allowing you to achieve professional-quality results.
Things to Consider When Selecting and Maintaining a High Flow Hose Bib
When it comes to choosing and maintaining a high flow hose bib, a few key considerations can make all the difference in ensuring efficient outdoor water access and protecting the plumbing system of your home. Whether you are planning to upgrade your hose bib or install a new one, below are some tips for selection and maintenance.
1. Install a Backflow Preventer
Consider installing a backflow preventer to your hose bib to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into your home’s water supply. This is especially important if you use your hose for tasks like spraying pesticides or fertilizers.
2. Insulate During Winter
In addition to regular maintenance, consider insulating your hose bib during the winter months. Special hose bib covers, or insulating tape can help prevent freezing or damage to the bib.
3. Regularly Check for Links
Periodically inspect your hose bib for any signs of leaks or dripping. Addressing leaks promptly to prevent water wastage and potential damage to your home’s exterior. When in doubt about whether a leak needs to be repaired, contact the experts like the team at Goodbee Plumbing to prevent further damage down the line.
4. Be Mindful of Water Usage
While high flow hose bibs are convenient for your home, it’s imperative to be mindful of water conservation. Avoid leaving the hose running when not necessary, and use a timer to remind yourself to turn it off when water plants to avoid wasting water and draining your wallet!
5. Periodically Close the Hose Bib
Remove any debris or sediment that may build up in the hose bib’s filter or nozzle to maintain optimal water flow and prolong the life of your hose bib.
Install a High Flow Hose Bib Today!
If you’re ready to test your pressure at home and make the switch to a high flow hose bib, contact the experts at Goodbee Plumbing today! Whether you need help winterizing your hose bib, replacing a busted spigot, or picking the right faucet for your home’s water pressure, Goodbee Plumbing is here to help. With nearly three decades of industry experience serving residential and commercial customers, our specialists are equipped to handle any plumbing need. Call your friendly neighborhood plumber today and let us know how to help!
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