To prevent burst pipes, drain your outdoor faucets completely before the first hard freeze. If your home does not have interior shut-off valves for outdoor plumbing,
you can insulate the pipes and faucets as a protective measure.
Drain the water supply. Disconnect hoses. Remove any garden hoses, splitters, or other attachments from the outdoor faucet.
A hose left connected can trap water in the faucet, causing it to freeze and burst the pipe. Store hoses indoors after draining them.
Locate the shut-off valve. Your indoor shut-off valve is typically in the basement, crawlspace, or near the main water line.
In homes with a slab foundation, it may be in a utility closet or under a sink on an exterior wall. For multi-story homes, find the valve controlling the plumbing on that specific floor.
Close the interior shut-off. Turn the valve until it is completely off. Some shut-off valves also have a “bleeder cap” or drain that you can open with a bucket underneath to remove trapped water.
Open the outdoor faucet. With the indoor water supply closed, open the exterior faucet to drain any remaining water from the pipe. It is recommended to leave the faucet open for the winter to allow any residual moisture to expand without building pressure.
Plumbers Always Do This Before a Freeze—and It Can Save Hundreds.
Protecting your plumbing from freezing temperatures is simple and can prevent thousands of dollars of damage.
Don’t forget to winterize your outside spigots!
And as much as we’d love to see you, we’d rather help you avoid an unnecessary expense.
Why should you disconnect your garden hose?
Buy a foam faucet cover. These inexpensive covers, such as the Frost King Outdoor Faucet Cover, are made of rigid thermal foam and fit snugly over the faucet to insulate it from cold air.
Use a fabric cover. If your spigot is an unusual size, a flexible, insulated cloth bag, it can mold to the shape of the faucet.
Create a temporary DIY cover. For a quick fix before a hard freeze, wrap the faucet with rags or t-shirts, cover it with plastic bags, and secure with tape.
Seal air leaks. Check the area where the pipe enters your home and seal any gaps or cracks with caulk or expanding foam. This prevents frigid air from reaching the pipe inside the wall.
Install new hardware for better protection:
Contact us to upgrade to a frost-free faucet: These faucets have a long barrel that moves the shut-off valve inside your heated home,
where the pipe is less likely to freeze. When you turn off the water, the faucet automatically drains any water from the exterior portion.
Add an interior shut-off valve: If your outdoor faucets lack dedicated shut-off valves, installing them is a worthwhile investment. This allows you to easily drain the line each winter. Contact us to chat on this upgrade.
When to drip faucets:
While covering is the most reliable method for winterizing outdoor faucets, dripping them is an option during short cold snaps or if you lack a cover. Running water is less likely to freeze than stagnant water. However, dripping can waste water and may not be effective during prolonged, extreme cold.
Some important safety notes:
Never use a blowtorch or open flame to thaw a frozen pipe, as this can cause a fire or damage the plumbing.
Dripping faucets can cause ice buildup on the ground, creating a slip hazard.
