Frost-free hose bibbs are designed to drain when the water is shutoff. It will run out past the valve and by draining all of the water, the hose bibb is not so prone to freezing. The point where the water is really shutoff is inside the home or the wall where it is warmer.

The whole purpose of these hose bibbs is defeated when hoses are left on the faucets. I cannot tell you how many times, at inspections, I have turned on the water and found that the water was rushing out from inside the wall. Problem -- ruptured hose bibb.

Bottom line: For a frost-free hose bibb to be frost free, it needs to lose the hose in freezing weather.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith