My plumber wanted to replace a hose bib on the outside of my home that is leaking with a Boiler Drain Valve. I decided to hold off on doing it to be sure that using a Boiler Drain Valve instead of a Hose Bib was ok? Any reason why this shouldn't be done? They seem identical, have identical sized threads however I'd like to know if this shouldn't be done for any reason? For example would water-flow out of the hose be the same? Do they need to be winterized differently? Anything else that would make this not advisable?

Thanks!

The only difference is appearance as long as it is secure there is no issue

A boiler drain is a type of valve that is designed to control the flow of water from a plumbing system. These valves are typically installed at the base of a water heater or boiler and are used to drain the system for maintenance or repair purposes. Boiler drains are usually made of brass or plastic and can be threaded or soldered onto the plumbing system.

Pros and Cons of Boiler Drain
Boiler drains are commonly used in indoor plumbing systems to drain water from water heaters and boilers. Here are the pros and cons of using a boiler drain:

Pros
Easy to install
Provides controlled flow of water
Available in different sizes and shapes
Helps prevent water damage and leaks
Helps prevent water damage and leaks
Can be used for draining and flushing plumbing systems
Cons
Lower flow rate than hose bibb
Limited use for outdoor applications
May not be able to withstand high pressures
Require specialized tools for installation
Not be as durable as other plumbing fixtures







A hose bibb, also known as an outdoor faucet or spigot, is a fixture that is commonly used to provide water to outdoor areas, such as gardens and patios. Hose bibbs are typically made of brass, bronze, or plastic and are installed on the outside of a building. They are designed to be used with garden hoses, sprinklers, and other outdoor watering equipment.

Pros and Cons of Hose Bibb
Hose bibbs are commonly used in outdoor watering systems to provide water to gardens, lawns, and other outdoor areas. Here are the pros and cons of using a hose bibb:

Pros
Provides a high flow rate of water
Easy to use and connect to a garden hose
Easy to use and connect to a garden hose
Available in different sizes and shapes
Can be made of durable materials such as brass and bronze
Suitable for a wide range of outdoor watering applications
Cons
May not be suitable for indoor plumbing systems
Freeze and burst in cold temperatures
Require regular maintenance to prevent leaks
Not be as durable as other plumbing fixtures
More expensive than other plumbing fixtures


NOTE THE ANGLE FOR EASE OF HOSE ATTACHMENT

I agree with my friend from PA...

Using a boiler drain valve instead of a hose bib is not recommended due to differences in design, flow rate, durability, and weather resistance.

Those items have NOTHING to do with using one or the other. In may cases, the internal parts of a company's hose bibb, boiler drain, or sill cock may be intechangeable.

of course they do

one would want a weather resistant fixture with good flow rate outdoors

albeit either type will 'work'

If in NY you probably need a frost proof faucet.

As far as selecting the style I usually select based on the way the pipe is set up. If it's coming out of the ground/floor vertically up I use a garden valve, if it's coming out of the wall horizontally and needs a flange to cover the hole I use a Silcock, otherwise I use a hose bibb. Boiler drain if the spout angles 90 degree down and close to the wall can be difficult because it will rub on your hand as you thread on a hose, but there are some boiler drains that angle outward that may work. I prefer the quarter turn handle then the multi-turn valve.

If the faucet will be used to do any high flow applications such as a timer controlled irrigation line or filling a swimming pool, then a full port faucet matching the feeding piping size is recommended.

Slightly off topic but there is not a decent quarter turn lever handle hose bibb available in Canada. Sometimes customers request quarter turn hose bibbs but I end up installing my go to hose bibb, a Canadian made compression valve
[www.dahlvalve.com]

Here is the miseralbe selection at Home Depot Canada
[www.homedepot.ca]

The flow rate is almost the same since the majority use the same seat, stem, and washer.