Is there an advantage to using the sillcock type of hose bib for exterior faucets as opposed to using the ball valve type? Why is the sillcock design "traditional" ?
Exterior faucets ( hose bibs) are available both in the traditional sillcock design where you turn the round handle like a turning a bolt and also available in a design that uses ball valves, where you only turn the handle a quarter turn to go from on to off. I find that the sillcock design starts leaking from around the valve shaft after a few years. It's tempting to think that the ball valve type would be more durable - or at least only leak from spout. However, I've never tried the ball valve type.