Outdoor plumbing lives a hard life — freeze-thaw cycles, UV exposure, lawnmowers and tree roots all attack it. A frost-free hose bib ($150–$400 installed) prevents the most common cold-climate burst; irrigation backflow preventers protect your drinking water and are legally required in most areas. This section covers outdoor faucet types and costs, winterization, and irrigation basics for homeowners.
Frost-free is worth it up north
Standard hose bibs burst when water freezes in the pipe; frost-free models shut off 12+ inches inside the heated wall. If you live where it freezes, the upgrade pays for itself the first winter it prevents a burst.
Winterize before the first freeze
Shut off interior valves to outdoor lines, drain the lines, and leave hose bibs open — our fall checklist takes 30 minutes and prevents the spring surprise of a burst pipe inside the wall.