- Working time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Skill level: Beginner
- Project cost: $5 to $10 per faucet
For those in colder climates, winter is the time when freezing temperatures can damage your home’s water lines. The good news is that you can take action now to prevent an icy and costly mess. Just as you should prepare to winterize your entire home, your outdoor faucets are no different. An easy place to start is by protecting outdoor faucets from freezing. Winterizing outdoor faucets is a quick and easy precaution that will save your pipes and your wallet.
When to Winterize Outdoor Faucets
It only takes a few minutes to winterize an outdoor faucet. It is an easy task to check off your to-do list after work or over the weekend. But if you are in a new place, you won’t want to put it off too late in the season. Find out the location of the water supply valve and whether the faucet is conventional or freezeproof. Also, it’s a good idea to purchase insulated faucet covers so that you already have them on hand when you actually need to install them.
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In an area with long, cold winters you can winterize the faucet in fall and confidently leave it alone until spring. No need to put it off, go ahead and winterize in fall when you’re finished with the spigot for the season. If you live in a mild climate and need to use the water outlet, you may decide to wait until freezing weather is imminent.
It pays to err on the side of caution. Be sure to winterize outdoor faucets by the time low temperatures are forecast to fall below 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 degrees Celsius), just in case the actual temperature dips lower than the prediction.
Safety Considerations
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Use caution when accessing a water supply line in a basement crawl space or other enclosed or rarely used area. These locations may have low ceilings and cramped quarters that limit your range of movement. Be patient and move cautiously to avoid bumping your head or other injuries.
This is also a good opportunity to check for peripheral home maintenance issues. Bring a good flashlight and look out for evidence of plumbing leaks, moldy or rotting wood, and animal hazards like rodents, insects and others that may be looking for a cozy place to spend the winter.
Tools
- Adjustable wrench
- Tongue and groove pliers
- Non-slip-grip work gloves
- Flashlight
- Bucket
Materials
- Outdoor faucet winter cover
Instructions
Outdoor faucets are either conventional or freeze-proof. Conventional faucets stop water flow at the location of the control handle, on the exterior of the wall. Freeze-proof faucets are constructed so that when they are turned off, the water remains on the inside of the wall.
In many areas, freeze-proof faucets can safely remain active all winter. But in extreme cold, even freeze proof faucets should be protected with an insulated cover. For all conventional, non-freeze-proof faucets, follow these steps.
1. Shut Off the Water Supply
Most of the time, but not always, the water line that feeds the outdoor faucet includes a valve to turn the water on and off. Look for the shut-off valve in the basement or crawlspace, a few feet away from the wall. Make sure that the valve only controls water to the outdoor faucet, and then shut it off. After shutting it off, look for leaks.
2. Disconnect Any Hoses
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If a hose is connected to the faucet, disconnect it. Drain all of the water from the hose, roll it up and store it out of the weather for winter.
3. Drain the Faucet
If there was no shutoff valve in the basement, skip this step. If you were able to turn off the water supply inside the basement, then you can now open the outdoor faucet to drain water from the line. For conventional faucets/spigots, this is the critical step that prevents freeze damage. In many cases, no further winter protection is needed, but in severe cold, frigid temperatures may still penetrate into the basement.
4. Install an Outdoor Faucet Cover
Insulated outdoor faucet covers are crucial for active conventional faucets, and offer an added layer of protection against extreme cold for both winterized conventional faucets and freeze-proof faucets. Install a cover that seals tightly to the wall around the faucet.
When to Call a Pro
It’s important to check out your system early. In most cases, winterizing outdoor faucets is a fast, easy DIY task. You may even discover a leaky faucet that you can repair yourself by replacing an O-ring. But sometimes more advanced issues arise when you may want to call on a plumber, such as upgrading to freeze-proof faucets or adding a shutoff valve.
It only takes a few minutes and a few dollars to winterize an outdoor faucet. Take the time to get it done before the cold arrives, and rest assured that your pipes will be protected from freezing this winter.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor