Sill Cock
Definition and meaning of Sill Cock in real estate.
A sill cock is an outdoor water faucet attached to the exterior wall of a home, used to connect garden hoses and provide water for landscaping or cleaning. It is connected directly to the home's water supply line through the sill plate or foundation wall.
In more detail
Also known as a hose bibb or spigot, a sill cock is a standard convenience feature on residential properties. In cold climates, homeowners should install freeze-proof sill cocks, which place the actual valve mechanism deep inside the warm house wall to prevent the pipe from freezing and bursting during winter.
It is crucial to disconnect hoses before freezing temperatures arrive, as trapped water can cause even freeze-proof valves to rupture. Many modern codes require sill cocks to have a vacuum breaker, which prevents outdoor contaminants from siphoning back into the home's clean drinking water.
Key facts
| Category | Property Types & Construction |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Hose bibb, outdoor spigot, faucet |
| Winter Protection | Typically requires disconnecting hoses and using freeze-proof models |
| Required by | Most modern plumbing codes to have backflow prevention |
Before the first hard freeze of the winter, the homeowner disconnects the garden hose from the exterior sill cock to prevent water from freezing inside the faucet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a freeze-proof sill cock?
It is an outdoor faucet with a long stem that shuts off the water flow inside the warm interior of the home, protecting the pipe from freezing.
Why is my sill cock leaking when turned on?
Leaks are often caused by a worn-out rubber washer inside the valve assembly or a cracked pipe caused by winter freezing.