A frost-free spigot is designed to stop freezing by extending its pipe into your home’s warmer interior. When you turn it off, water stops inside your house—not near the outdoor valve. This keeps the water away from freezing temps. Plus, these spigots drain themselves to prevent leftover water from freezing. While they’re tougher than standard faucets, they can still freeze if indoor temps drop too low.

Here in Chicago, we rely on frost-free spigots to reduce the chances of water freezing and splitting the pipe or valve. These nifty devices use a compression-style faucet with a long pipe that extends back into the warmer parts of the house. However, they can still freeze if the temperature inside the house—or near the spigot—drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite this, a frost-free spigot is still much more likely to make it through a Chicago winter unscathed compared to a conventional spigot. Plus, these spigots are designed to drain themselves, preventing water from collecting and freezing in the faucet later. When you turn off a frost-free spigot, the water actually stops well behind the valve, inside the house where it’s warmer. This way, the air behind the valve also stays warm, helping to prevent freezing.

Key Features:
Extra-long supply pipe (at least 4 inches) that slopes downward to drain water.
Built-in shut-off valve inside your home for added protection.
Anti-siphon valve to stop dirty water from flowing back into your pipes.