What is a Frost-Free Faucet?
(and How to Tell if You Have One)
It’s well known in cold climates that when winter comes and the temperature drops, it’s time to shut off the water to your outdoor faucets. One thing that is lesser known to people that don’t deal with plumbing every day is the existence of frost-proof faucets. A frost-proof faucet (also called a freeze-proof or frost-free sillcock) is designed to prevent frozen pipes — and the costly damage that comes with them.
How a Freeze-Proof Faucet Works
Unlike a standard faucet, the frost-free faucet’s valve mechanism is located inside your home’s heated wall space, several inches inside the exterior wall. When you turn off the handle, the valve that seals the pipe shut is several inches or even a foot away from the exterior opening of the pipe. Once sealed, any remaining water drains out of the exterior section of pipe — leaving nothing inside that can freeze, expand, and burst.
Put simply, the key difference is where the water stops. With a standard faucet, water remains close to the outside wall. With a frost-proof faucet, it’s safely tucked away inside the heat envelope of your home.
Below is what a typical freeze-proof facuet should look like:
How to Tell If You Have a Freeze-Proof Faucet
- Look at the stem & handle – The stem of a frost free faucet needs to insert straight into your wall (usually 8–12 inches) so the handle of the faucet must be aligned parallel with the pipe. If the handle is on top of the pipe or at an angle, it cannot be a frost-proof faucet.
- Check for an anti-siphon valve – a small cap top of the faucet that prevents backflow and allows the water to drain from the final 8-12 inches of pipe.
- Inspect the mounting angle – Frost-proof faucets are often installed with a slight downward angle so they drain effectively.
- Test it – If you turn it off and water drips for a few seconds then stops, it means there is a section of pipe that has to drain between the inset shut off valve and the actual pipe opening.
If you’re still unsure, one of our licensed plumbers Aquarius Home Services can confirm it with a quick plumbing service inspection.
Why You Should Upgrade Before Winter
Even one frozen pipe can cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in water damage. Installing frost-proof faucets is a simple way to:
- Eliminate the need to shut off and drain outdoor faucets every fall
- Protect your home from costly water damage
Important Note:
In especially cold climates such as Minnesota and Wisconsin, it is still recommended to add an insulation cover over your faucet like the one below, even freeze-proof faucets. This isn’t necessarily to guard against freezing pipes but instead to insulate the faucet opening which connects to the inside of your home and can become a significant source of heat loss
Schedule Frost-Proof Faucet Installation
Our licensed plumbers install frost-proof outdoor faucets for homes across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Whether you’re upgrading old faucets or adding new exterior water access, we’ll ensure your system is safe, efficient, and ready for the cold.
Contact Aquarius Home Services to schedule an inspection and, if needed frost-proof faucet installation — and protect your home from winter plumbing problems before they start.
