Hose Bibb & Outdoor Faucet Repair in Green Bay, WI

A hose bibb is the outdoor faucet on the outside wall of your home. In Green Bay, it is one of the first things to freeze and one of the most common spring surprises: a faucet that froze over winter often shows up as a new leak the first time it is used in spring. Call and we will connect you with an independent local plumbing professional who serves your area.

How a frost-proof faucet works

A frost-proof sillcock has a long stem that moves the actual shut-off valve back inside the wall, into the heated part of the house, so water drains out of the exposed part of the faucet when it is closed. That design protects the faucet — but only if the hose is disconnected. A hose left attached during freezing weather stops the water from draining out, so the water freezes and the tube can burst. Freezing outdoor faucets can cause burst pipes and water damage inside the home as well as outside.

Signs your hose bibb needs repair

• Water leaks from the faucet when it is turned on in spring, or it drips when it is off.
• Water leaks inside the wall when the outdoor faucet is used.
• The faucet handle is stiff, cracked, or will not shut off fully.
• A hose was left attached through the winter.

What repair or replacement involves

The professional checks whether the faucet itself is damaged or whether the pipe behind it has split. A damaged standard faucet may be replaced with a frost-proof model, and the pipe behind the wall is checked at the same time. Winterizing steps for the future are simple: disconnect garden hoses, drain the water, and shut off the water supply to the hose bibb before winter. Our pipe winterization page covers the full fall checklist, and pipe insulation can protect the pipe run behind the faucet as well.

Local relevance

Green Bay’s January average low is 11.1°F, and outdoor faucets are fully exposed to that cold. In older Green Bay homes, including those in neighborhoods such as Olde North and Navarino, outdoor faucets are often older standard models rather than frost-proof ones. local frozen pipe repair in Green Bay frequently starts at the hose bibb, so it is worth checking before winter and again in spring.

Frequently asked questions