What is a sillcock faucet?
A sillcock faucet is an ingenious but simple mechanical device. By turning the handle, the stem (or spindle) moves up, allowing water to get through. When closed, the stem goes down, blocking the flow of water.
What is another name for a sillcock?
And if that’s not confusing, a sillcock also goes by the names “spigot,” “outdoor faucet,” “wall hydrant,” “outdoor tap,” and “male hose faucet.” Heck, there are probably more but I can’t think of them right now. My head might explode. Technically, a spigot is not a sillcock; it’s the threaded end of a sillcock that you attach a hose to.
What are sillcock keys used for?
However, sillcock keys are also commonly used by urban preppers. The sillcock key will make accessing a clean water supply so much simpler and make roaming the streets much safer. In this article, you will learn why you need them, what are sillcock keys used for and how to use them, how to make them, and which is the best sillcock key to buy?
Are Sillcocks necessary for plumbing?
Are Sillcocks Necessary? The plumbing codes in many areas require that buildings have sillcocks. They are the best and often the only way to deliver a supply of water outside the home. This is helpful in emergencies, for outdoor water recreation, or simply to keep lawns and gardens thriving in the summer.
What is the purpose of a Sillcock?
A sillcock (or hose bib) is an outdoor water faucet that is located and attached to the exterior of a house. Sillcocks are nothing more than spigots that you'll find coming out of your house. They essentially have a spout in which to connect hoses to or just access tap water while outside.
Why is it called a silcock?
Early Origins of the Silcock family The name is derived from a colloquial term in Derbyshire about the year 1000 describing a thrush, i.e. a "shrilcock" or "shilcock."
What type of valve is a Sillcock?
Also called a sillcock or spigot, a hose bib is a valve with a threaded faucet spout.
How do you fix a leaky Sillcock valve?
0:213:15How to Fix a Leaky Frost Free Sillcock / Outdoor Faucet video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOff I'm going to take off the center screw. Then remove the handle. And then underneath this nut isMoreOff I'm going to take off the center screw. Then remove the handle. And then underneath this nut is a washer and a lot of times the problems in this washer.
Why does my Sillcock leak?
Worn-out Cartridge One of the most common reasons why your sillcock could be leaking is due to a work-out cartridge or stem washer. To identify if this is the problem with your water hydrant, notice if when you try closing the handle, water refuses to stop flowing completely.
How much does it cost to replace a Sillcock?
Replacing a hose bib, also called a spigot or sillcock, averages $80, or between $55 and $105. New installation raises the price to $230 to $350, depending on the spigot's proximity to existing plumbing.
What valve is for outdoor faucet?
Let's talk about hose bibbs. Sometimes called an outdoor faucet (and technically termed “sillcock”), a hose bibb is a valve where you attach your garden hose.
How do you fix a Sillcock?
0:582:20Repair Frostproof Sillcock - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you've confirmed your water supply is off remove the stem from your frost proof silcock. InMoreOnce you've confirmed your water supply is off remove the stem from your frost proof silcock. In order to do this you'll need a wrench to loosen the packing nut behind the handle.
What is the outside water faucet called?
A spigot is a faucet, a device to turn water on and off. If you leave a spigot open, the water will keep flowing. In the U.S., most of us call an indoor valve (in the kitchen or bathroom) a faucet, and the outdoor one a spigot.
Why is my outside faucet leaking when turned off?
If your faucet leaks out of the spout when it's turned off, the washer is bad. On frost-proof faucets, the washer is located on the end of the long faucet stem. Remove the handle and nut (Photo 1) and pull the stem from the faucet (Photo 2). You may have to turn the stem to “unscrew” it before it'll come out.
What is the top cap of a Sillcock for?
This feature prevents the formation of a vacuum that could pull water from the outside into the clean water supply. While you can retrofit backflow preventers to standard spigots, frost-proof hose bibs have one built in, and that's what you'll find beneath that plastic cap.
What is the cap on top of my outdoor faucet?
The vacuum cap is circular and about an inch in diameter, and it either slips or screws onto the top of the faucet. The device underneath it is known as a vacuum breaker or an anti-siphon valve.
How does a frost free Sillcock valve work?
A frost-free hose sillcock or hose bib has a stem that is 6 to 12 inches long. It prevents cold weather from freezing your pipes because the stem washer & seat valve reside inside your house. As an added benefit the anti-siphon stops water or other liquids from being siphoned back into your water supply.
What is water shut off valve?
0:331:43How to Find Your Water Shut-Off Valve & Use It - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn warmer climates the shut-off valve is likely just outside the house and near an outside faucet inMoreIn warmer climates the shut-off valve is likely just outside the house and near an outside faucet in newer homes you'll find a valve that looks like this to turn off the water.
What does a Sillcock key open?
The 4 Way Sillcock key is a handy item for any Get-Home or Bug-Out bag! It is used to open tamper resistant hose bibs which are usually located on the exterior of commercial and industrial buildings, as well as rest stops. In an emergency situation it would allow you to obtain water from one of these locations.
What is a Silcox in plumbing?
0:251:03Sillcocks and Hose Bibbs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFree Silcox are designed to prevent water from freezing in the pipe and bursting.MoreFree Silcox are designed to prevent water from freezing in the pipe and bursting.
What is a sillcock key?
Sillcock keys are tools that are commonly used by contractors and engineers alike. However, sillcock keys are also commonly used by urban preppers. The sillcock key will make accessing a clean water supply so much simpler and make roaming the streets much safer. In this article, you will learn why you need them, ...
How to Use Sillcock Keys?
A sillcock key will make accessing a clean water supply easy.
Can you use a sillcock key for water?
That made me very curious about the sillcock key. This can be used as an emergency water supply, a quick water refill solution. This even works when the water pipes are cut, or the water supply is cut for your city. You can still use it because the hydrostatic pressure will force every drop of water out.
Can you use a sillcock key to unlock a faucet?
Commercial and industrial buildings have different sillcock valves, which can only be unlocked by certain sillcock keys. There are four widespread types of faucets and valves, so you really only need a lightweight four-way sillcock key to unlock that freshwater; however, if you want to be very safe, you can carry a medium-weight 11 key sillcock key.
How long do sillcocks last?
The average industry lifespan for a frost-free sillcock is 10 years.
What to do if your sillcock is off?
If your stem measurement is off, double check your sillcock is a BK branded sillcock. Our measurements and stems are not the same as our competitors. If it is a BK Products model and you are not getting the right measurement, then it is possible that part of the stem broke off and is still inside the casing located in your wall. This part needs to come out. If necessary, please call a plumber or a professional to help you with this. Our Customer Service Representatives are not trained or equipped to assist you with these issues.
What is a BK hose valve?
They are typically the valves that are on the exterior of a home or other building to which garden hoses can be attached for outside water needs.
Does the cartridge fit all sillcocks?
The cartridge will fit all lengths of this particular sillcock, but will NOT fit any other models.
Is a sillcock frost free?
No, this is an industry standard identifying the sillcock as a frost-free sillcock. The number does not help identify which replacement parts you need.