What are expert tips for winterizing outdoor faucets?

Do this before the first freeze forecast -- not after. By then it may already be too late. Walk the exterior of your house and count every outdoor faucet. Don't forget the ones on the side of the garage or behind the deck. If you don't have interior shutoff valves for outdoor faucets, a plumber can add them for $100-$200 each -- cheap insurance against a $5,000+ water damage claim. Drain and store garden hoses for winter. Water left in a hose can freeze and crack the hose, and the ice can back up into the faucet.

What mistakes should I avoid with winterizing outdoor faucets?

Leaving a hose connected -- this is the number one cause of frozen hose bibs, even on frost-free models. Assuming frost-free means freeze-proof. They still need hoses disconnected to drain properly. Waiting for the first freeze to winterize -- damage can happen on the first cold night. Forgetting to open the outdoor faucet after shutting off the interior valve. The line needs to drain.

Winterizing Outdoor Faucets | The Plumbing Directory

Overview

A frozen outdoor faucet can burst the pipe inside your wall and dump gallons of water into your home before you realize it. The damage happens silently -- the pipe freezes and cracks in winter, but the leak doesn't show until the thaw. Fifteen minutes of winterizing in fall prevents thousands in water damage.

What to Know

How Freeze Damage Happens

Water expands when it freezes. If water is trapped in the hose bib or the pipe running to it, ice splits the pipe or valve body. The crack may be tiny -- you won't see it until spring when you turn the water back on and water sprays inside the wall.

Frost-Free vs Standard Hose Bibs

Frost-free hose bibs have a long stem that extends the shutoff point 6-12 inches inside the wall, into heated space. They're self-draining when the hose is disconnected. Standard hose bibs shut off right at the wall and need manual winterizing. Even frost-free bibs can freeze if you leave a hose connected.

Insulated Covers

Foam faucet covers ($3-$5 at any hardware store) add insulation around the bib. They're worth it for standard bibs and as extra insurance on frost-free bibs in extreme cold. They're not a substitute for proper shutoff and draining, though.

Step by Step

Disconnect all hoses
Remove every hose from every outdoor faucet. A connected hose traps water in the bib and prevents frost-free bibs from draining. This is the single most important step -- even frost-free bibs freeze with a hose attached.
Shut off the interior valve
Find the shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet inside the house (usually in the basement or crawlspace near where the pipe exits the wall). Turn it off. If you don't have interior shutoffs, installing them is a worthwhile upgrade.
Drain the line
With the interior valve closed, go outside and open the faucet. Let any remaining water drain out. Leave the outdoor faucet slightly open all winter so any residual water can expand without cracking the pipe.
Install faucet covers
Place foam insulating covers over each outdoor faucet and secure them with the built-in strap or cord. This adds a layer of insulation that helps in borderline freezing temps.

Pro Tips

Do this before the first freeze forecast -- not after. By then it may already be too late.
Walk the exterior of your house and count every outdoor faucet. Don't forget the ones on the side of the garage or behind the deck.
If you don't have interior shutoff valves for outdoor faucets, a plumber can add them for $100-$200 each -- cheap insurance against a $5,000+ water damage claim.
Drain and store garden hoses for winter. Water left in a hose can freeze and crack the hose, and the ice can back up into the faucet.

Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving a hose connected -- this is the number one cause of frozen hose bibs, even on frost-free models.
Assuming frost-free means freeze-proof. They still need hoses disconnected to drain properly.
Waiting for the first freeze to winterize -- damage can happen on the first cold night.
Forgetting to open the outdoor faucet after shutting off the interior valve. The line needs to drain.

When to Call a Pro

If you discover a burst pipe in spring, shut off the water immediately and call a plumber. If you don't have interior shutoff valves and want them installed, that's a quick job for a plumber -- usually under $200 per faucet.

Bottom Line

Disconnect hoses, shut off interior valves, drain the line, cover the bibs. Fifteen minutes in October prevents thousands in damage in March. This is the single easiest and cheapest winterizing task for any homeowner.

Winterizing Outdoor Faucets