Brass double-outlet garden tap, 1/2 and 3/4 inch

The 1/2″ is the inlet: a 2 cm male thread that screws into the 15x21 female outlet in your wall, the most widespread in France. The 3/4″ concerns the two outlets, in 20x27, onto which 2.5 cm quick connectors are screwed.

This step from the small to the large diameter has a practical purpose: the quick connectors unscrew, and the 3/4″ outlet then takes a 20x27 female accessory directly, for example a watering timer or an adapter. The nozzle of each connector measures 1.6 cm, the size of clip-on hose ends.

A long yellow handle on top, a small yellow lever on the left outlet. As on any ball valve, the position can be read at a glance: lever in line with the outlet, the water flows; lever across it, it is closed.

The small lever shuts off one outlet on its own, so you can leave a hose connected and idle while the other one waters or fills the washing bucket. Both levers are the same bright colour as the washing and watering visuals: you can spot them from the far end of a garden, even at dusk. When closed, the lever doesn't stick out towards the path, so you won't catch it with the mower or a wheelbarrow.

The visuals show it on a lawn, in front of a car being washed and above a washing machine: two outlets are just as useful in a garage or outbuilding. It measures 15 cm long and 11 cm high.

Before the frosts, close the stop valve that feeds it, then flip both levers to the open position so the water drains out. Remove the hoses and store them under cover: they last longer, and the quick connectors aren't left under tension. In spring, screw the hoses back on, open the supply slowly and check that the thread isn't dripping before the new season gets under way.