I have an updated outdoor spigot with a valve on top... I just tried to turn it on for the first time since winter... And nothing! No flowing water... So I took it apart and within 30 seconds the water was gushing... so I shut the main water supply and there is a spring connected to the end of the shaft that I removed... I pulled it off and broke it. I reassembled the spigot and it works fine... The question is: What is the spring for and should I replace it??

If you live in a area that freezes you should have a outdoor spigot that is a freeze proof type, is this one connected to house, or out in yard ?

Without seeing a photo, it sounds like a it would stop backflow from happening and is required in many locations, ( and should be on outdoor spigots)

Yeah, that's definitely a vacuum breaker and if you are lucky, there should be a replacement part available locally or online.

Take a picture of the unit (entrie outside faucet) and take it to home depot/lowes and see if you can find the same brand valve. If you find the same brand you may also find a replacement part, but if not you can purchase the entire valve and just swap the parts out. If unlucky on that end, bring the picture over to a local plumbing suply store... should be able to find a replacement vacuum breaker... ;)

Be aware that some anti.-freeze outdoor faucets will not have repair parts available and in this case, you need to replce the unit at some time!

Good luck!

Mark

PS: If you do end up purchasing a new valve in its entirety, be sure to purchase one that is the same LENGTH as the one you have now. In this way, when you need parts to stop the unit from dripping/leaking in the future you'll have parts available that fit your model!