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A faucet is a valve used to control the flow of water or gas into a building’s plumbing system. It can be located outside the building and may be locked. Stopcock valves are in-line hydraulic valves that require a special tool to operate. Secondary faucets are required by building codes and are easier to operate. Regular testing is recommended to avoid seizing.
In plumbing terminology, a faucet is a type of valve used to completely shut off the flow of gas or water to a system. Sometimes called main plumbing valves, faucets control the flow of water or gas into a building’s plumbing system from the main supply line. In areas served by a local utility provider, this valve is located on the outside of a building, often in the same general location as the meter. Depending on your service provider, this valve may be locked to prevent unauthorized use and tampering. In most modern systems, an additional tap can be installed inside the building to allow for a quick shut-off of the water or gas supply in the event of an emergency.
Stopcock valves are a form of in-line hydraulic valve with a rotary stop or plug. The plug is attached to a small handle that can turn to the open or closed position. In most cases, this handle is a small, smooth, rectangular protrusion that requires a special tool, called a faucet wrench, to create the leverage needed to turn the valve on or off. By turning clockwise, the line formed by the handle runs parallel to the main line and the service is activated. By turning counterclockwise, the handle line is perpendicular to the main line and the service is disconnected.
Due to the nature of plumbing systems, local building codes in many areas require a secondary faucet to be installed within the building. This secondary faucet is a protective device for the building owner in the event of damage to the plumbing system. These indoor faucets often have a different handle design than the outdoor faucets used by the utility provider which makes them easier to operate without the use of a special wrench or other tools.
While faucets don’t require a great deal of maintenance, long periods of use in the open or closed position can cause the poppet to seize and render it unusable when the need for the valve arises. To avoid this problem, building owners are encouraged to regularly test the function of secondary faucets. To perform this test, simply twist the valve handle to temporarily connect or disconnect the service. If the valve handle does not turn easily, the valve may need to be serviced or replaced.
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