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You are out in the yard, dragging the hose across the grass, and a thought hits you: is this faucet called a hose bib or a spigot? Your neighbor calls it one, your dad calls it the other, and you might just call it the outdoor faucet.

If you are confused, you are not alone. Most homeowners use hose bib and spigot interchangeably, and in most cases they both mean the same thing. Still, the word you hear often depends on where you live or who you ask. Around Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, you will hear both.

What Is a Hose Bib?

A hose bib is the technical name plumbers like to use. It is the small faucet mounted on the outside of your home, threaded so a garden hose can screw on easily. You have probably used it to:

• Water the lawn or garden
• Wash the car in the driveway
• Rinse off patio furniture
• Hook up sprinklers or pressure washers

In colder climates, there is a version called a frost-proof hose bib. Instead of shutting water off at the wall, it shuts it off farther inside where it stays warmer. This design helps prevent freezing. While Cincinnati winters are not as brutal as farther north, anyone who has dealt with a burst pipe in January knows a frost-proof hose bib is worth it.

What Is a Spigot?

Spigot is simply the everyday word most people use. It works the same way as a hose bib: turn the handle, water comes out. The word just feels more casual. You will hear people say things like, “The spigot out back is leaking.”

• Sometimes spigot is used in a broader sense too:
• Referring to outdoor faucets in commercial spaces
• Talking about older homes where the word stuck around
• Describing any faucet that controls outdoor water

At the end of the day, spigot is just another way of saying hose bib.

Hose Bib vs Spigot: Small Differences

Do the two terms mean something different? Not really. But if you want to get picky, here are a few subtle distinctions:

• Terminology: Hose bib is the more technical term used in plumbing, while spigot is the casual word most homeowners use.
• Types: Hose bibs can be standard or frost-proof, while spigot usually refers to a plain outdoor faucet.
• Usage: Hose bib is what you will see in plumbing manuals, while spigot shows up more in everyday speech.

For most Cincinnati homeowners, both words describe the same thing: the faucet where you screw on the garden hose.

Common Problems with Outdoor Faucets

Whatever you call it, outdoor faucets take a beating. Some everyday issues include:

• Leaks and drips: Usually from a worn washer or seal
• Cracks from freezing: Water left inside expands in winter and can split the pipe
• Worn handles: Years of twisting can loosen them or make them hard to turn
• Leaky connections: The threaded end where the hose attaches can wear down

Even a small drip wastes water and can damage siding or your foundation if ignored.

When to Call a Plumber

Some problems are simple DIY fixes, like replacing a washer. But it is time to call a plumber if:

• The faucet keeps leaking after your repair
• The body of the hose bib or spigot is cracked
• You see water stains or damage near the wall
• You want to upgrade to a frost-proof hose bib before winter

A plumber can replace the fixture, check the line inside the wall, and make sure it is sealed properly. In many cases, replacement is less costly than repeated quick fixes.

Why Homeowners Choose Apollo Home

Apollo Home has been serving Greater Cincinnati for decades, and we know local plumbing inside and out. Families in Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana trust us because:

• Our plumbers know the quirks of older homes in this region
• We explain repairs clearly and give upfront pricing
• We handle everything from quick hose bib repairs to professional installation service for outdoor faucets
• We respond quickly when plumbing problems cannot wait

The Bottom Line

So, hose bib vs spigot: what is the difference? In practical terms, not much. Hose bib is the technical term, spigot is the casual one, and both describe the same outdoor faucet.

What matters is keeping those faucets in good shape. A leaking or cracked hose bib wastes water and can lead to bigger plumbing headaches if ignored. Whether you need a repair, replacement, or want to upgrade to a frost-proof model before winter, Apollo Home is ready to help.

For outdoor faucet repair and installation in Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, contact Apollo Home today.