hose bib is a spigot that protrudes from the exterior of a building with plumbing, allowing those who garden or work in the yard to attach a hose and use water while outside. Unlike the plumbing inside your home, a hose bib is far more exposed to the elements and can be damaged by freezing weather or simple old age.It is important to keep the hose bib in good shape and have a professional plumber assist if a hose bib replacement becomes necessary.

In the majority of cases, a hose bib needs to be replaced because of either a slow leak or previous pipe damage, often due to freezing and thawing occurring in the colder months. Many homeowners deprioritize the hose bib when it comes to plumbing repairs, but not having an operational hose bib can be quite problematic if you need to water something outside or wash a vehicle. In some ways, a leaky hose bib is easier to ignore than a leaky sink tap or dripping tub faucet and will likely go unnoticed. Over time, that dripping hose bib can result in hundreds of gallons of needlessly wasted water. Also, a leaky hose bib is more likely to have water accumulate during the frigid winter months, increasing the likelihood of freezing and pipe damage.

There are a few ways you can maintain your hose bib to keep it working properly throughout the year. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Check your hose bibs regularly to make sure they are running properly. Leaks and low pressure are both signs that something could be wrong with your faucet or sewer line.
If you live in a cold climate, you should consider winterizing your outdoor faucets. That means detaching the hose, letting it drain, and installing a cover over the spigot. Leaving a hose full of water attached to your faucet could cause the water in the hose – as well as the water in the pipes leading into your home – to freeze and potentially burst.

When hose bibs start to leak it can cause some serious issues for homeowners, which is why it’s so important to solve the problem immediately rather than putting it off. Allstar Plumbing experts in San Jose are available to help with emergency residential plumbing issues, so schedule a service as soon as you notice a leak.