What are the parts of a hose spigot that must be operational?

Other than the obvious fact that the hose spigot must turn off and on and must not leak or drip while in use, there are some other important reasons that your hose spigot must be 100% operational.Read More

• Backflow Prevention Device: By plumbing code, each hose spigot must be equipped with a backflow prevention device. This device is also called a vacuum breaker. When operating correctly, this serves as a safety feature that prevents hose water from backing up into the main potable (drinkable) water supply. This is just in case contaminants such as yard waste or chemicals got into the hose. A backflow prevention device stops those contaminants from entering the drinkable water supply, much like the double check valve (DCV) does for irrigation water. The vacuum breaker is designed to briefly allow a little water to leak out when the hose spigot is turned ON and/or OFF. That brief leakage is not a hose spigot problem—it’s by design. That said, the water flow is NOT supposed to be continuous or present when the garden hose or spigot is in use and under pressure. If you have any water coming from the hose spigot during use, then it is starting to develop a leak and/or fail.
• Freeze-Proof Design: The freeze-proof feature of a hose spigot is that it is designed to self-drain after use. To do this, it must be installed at a slight angle that creates fall. In addition, it cannot self-drain when there is a water hose connected to it. Unfortunately, many homeowners regularly leave their water hoses attached well into January and throughout the winter. The self-draining feature will also NOT work if there is a leak or drip of any kind. That drip freezes and starts to create a small ice dam. Water continues to back up and continues to freeze more—then you get a pipe rupture. The hose spigot must be completely free of drips or leaks to function properly.