Is the outside faucet on a house considered a plumbing fixture?

Bonnie Ladd
by Bonnie Ladd
My house is getting all new pex tubing and the contract says "new shut-offs to all fixtures". The plumber hasn't done anything with the outdoor faucet and I was wondering if that should also be replaced? (The old galvanized plumbing in the house was corroded). Thanks!
  9 answers
  • It depends on what your definition of is is - love that line & oh so true - I can see it being argued both ways The codes go both ways on it - sometimes referring to everything that moves water as one while others just talking about the appliances (toilet, sink, etc...) as one & other faucets as just faucets I would simply ask why it wasn't done & see how it develops
  • Jim Jim on Feb 14, 2015
    I think it should be replaced since all of the lines were changed. It probably has some corrosion in it also. Just my two cents!
  • Bonnie Ladd Bonnie Ladd on Feb 14, 2015
    Thanks. I thought it should be replaced also because of the corrosion also.
  • Pete Wells Pete Wells on Feb 14, 2015
    Did they replace the under-sink shutoff valves? If not, they should ASAP..
  • Bonnie Ladd Bonnie Ladd on Feb 14, 2015
    Yes, all the shutoff's inside the house have been replaced. The hot water heater, toilet, bathroom sink and bathtub have all been replaced. I had all new plumbing under the kitchen sink to add a garbage disposal and a built-in dishwasher. I am a big gardener and don't want any problems this summer when I go to use the outside faucet. Should I be worried. My contract with the plumber says new shutoff's to ALL fixtures. Thanks.
  • Dee Dee on Feb 14, 2015
    Did they do all the pipes, even tho ones if you have a 2 story in the walls? I too have galvanized pipe, How did you know it was bad? was it leaking? I dread having to have this done, because it must cost a fortune. And yes I think they should replace the outside pipe too. I have one outside my kitchen window, and if it were to break my kitchen cabinet under the sink would be a mess.
    • Bonnie Ladd Bonnie Ladd on Feb 14, 2015
      @Dee The house was in an estate sale and when I had the inspection done on it they water had very low to no pressure. The house had been empty a number of years. It is only a one story with a crawl space. The ran Pex Tubing under the house. I thought they should have to replace the outside one too. Thanks.
  • If its terminated and has a handle its a fixture. But what does your contract say? Also if the water pressure is ok at the faucet outside, there is really no reason to change the supply pipe to it unless its showing signs of corrosion. But regardless the plumber should replace the pipe and faucet. Pex is very inexpensive and I would assume he charged you a lot for the work. It would not break his bank to install a $20 faucet and $10 worth of Pex and the fittings.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Feb 15, 2015
    I'd push for replacement as I think you have a good argument re contract. Why replace everything but the outside one which may have to be replaced down the road? If your plumber is unwilling to do this (what I read as) relatively inexpensive detail, then don't have him back for any other plumbing issues in the future.
    • See 1 previous
    • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Feb 15, 2015
      @Bonnie Ladd Either working too many other jobs or not competent!
  • Mary Mary on Feb 24, 2015
    Hi Bonnie, We just had our house here in Florida re-piped the day before Christmas.... not our choice. long story sniff sniff. Anyway, ours included all of our outside spigots also. They even closed one off and removed from our back porch area, in case we close it in. Hope this is helpful. By the way, the plumbers worked all day to do my 2500+ sq ft house. And then the inspector took about 20 days to inspect before we could get all the dry wall and ceiling holes repaired. Long ordeal. When they repair your walls, don't forget to have them do behind the refrigerator or other appliances like we did... had to wait a few more days on that one too. It was a costly and drawn out ordeal for us. Approx 4 grand.
    • Bonnie Ladd Bonnie Ladd on Feb 24, 2015
      @Mary Thanks! My plumber has taken 7 weeks to complete the plumbing, install a new toilet, sink and bathtub in the bathroom, install a laundry tub in laundry room, install a new garbage disposal and do the plumbing to install a built-in dishwasher where there wasn't one in the kitchen. Hopefully he will be finished today but I think I'm going to have to have a stern talk with him about the outside faucet. Thanks. I'm just so tired of all of this!