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Originally contributed by Jeff Butler
Jeff's experience designing content solutions led him to be one of our first contributors. He helped draft Makey's blueprint and is one of the best explainers of technical details we know.
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One of the first things we do when Spring hits is get out the old garden hose and connect it to the… faucet? Spout? Sillcock? Water spigot? Hose bib? Call it what you will, it’s the tap on the outside of your house that you connect your garden hose to.
Definition
The term water spigot (often called a hose bib) typically refers to an outdoor water faucet or spout, usually found attached to an exterior wall on the side of the house. A water spigot can go by many names, including garden spigot, sillcock, or water tap. However, it is sometimes improperly called a water spicket. Regardless of its name, a water spigot is designed to open and close with the turn of a handle to allow or prevent the flow of water. Water spigots are typically made from brass or galvanized steel and usually have threaded nozzles for garden hose attachments.
How To Replace An Outdoor Faucet... (Umm… Water Spigot)
Outdoor faucet repair is usually quite simple. But, if the problem is serious enough, you may need to know how to replace your hose bib:
- If you’ve got an outdoor faucet leaking, start by checking for any loose nuts or screws. Then replace any washers or seals that may be worn. If it’s still leaking, you may need to replace it.
- If it’s time to replace your outdoor faucet, you should start by purchasing a frost proof faucet to prevent further problems down the road. Make sure you shut off the main water supply and drain the water before you start switching it over. Remove the old hose bib and replace it with the new one.