They are all different names for the same thing. The building codes prefer hose bibb, which is considered as one type of water outlet. Here’s how the International Residential Code (IRC) and the Residential Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC) define a water outlet.

    Sill cock is an older term most often used in the Northeast. It is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a faucet placed at about sill height on the outside of a building and usually threaded for attaching a hose—called also hose cock.” Many sill cocks are rated as frost-proof, with a long shank that extends into the wall.

   We use the term hose faucet for our reports, which is the one commonly used in our area. All hose faucets are now required to have a vacuum breaker attached to the hose fitting, like in the photo above, to prevent a “cross connection,” which is the backflow of water from the hose into the house water distribution piping when there is a loss of water pressure. Garden hoses are the number one cause of cross connection backflows that cause contamination of drinking water, according to the International Code Council.

    Also, see our blog posts How many hose bibbs (outdoor faucets) are required by code for a house? and Why is the vacuum breaker at my hose faucet leaking, gushing water, or making funny sounds?  

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about PLUMBING:

• Do I need a vacuum breaker valve for washing machine hose faucets?• How can I protect my pipes to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Florida?

• Why is there sand in the bottom of my toilet tank?  

• What causes a gurgling sound when a bathtub or sink drains? 

• Are drop-in toilet bowl cleaner tablets safe? 

• What can I add to my septic tank to help it work better?

• What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks? 

• Why is there mold inside my toilet tank?  

• What are the pros and cons of a wall-mounted toilet?

• Which plumbing fixtures require water shut off valves in a home? 

• How can I tell if a house is connected to a septic tank system or sewer?

• Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? 

• Why is a backflow preventer required on lawn sprinkler systems? 

• Why can't PVC be used for water pipe inside a house? 

• What are the common problems to look for when the plumbing has been replaced in a house? 

• What's that powdery crust on the pipe connections at the water heater? 

• How can I tell what type of plumbing pipe I have? 

  • What causes low water pressure in a house?

• What does polybutylene pipe look like? Why is it a problem?

• Which water pipes are an insurance problem and possibly uninsurable? 

• Does a home inspector check the plumbing under the floor slab?

• Is it alright to disconnect the washing machine drain from the septic tank and divert it to the ground in the yard?

      Visit our PLUMBING page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.