Winterizing Outdoor Pipes and Faucets Before the First Freeze
Winterizing Outdoor Pipes and Faucets. Water expands by roughly 9% when it freezes, and pipes simply aren't built to accommodate that kind of pressure. A single hard freeze can crack a hose bib or an exposed section of pipe, and you often won't discover the damage until it thaws and starts leaking or spraying. Winterizing your outdoor plumbing takes under an hour and is one of the cheapest insurance policies you can buy for your home.
Step 1: Disconnect and Drain Garden Hoses
This is the step people forget most often. A hose left attached to an outdoor spigot traps water against the valve, and that trapped water can freeze and expand back into the pipe inside your wall, cracking it even if the spigot itself is a freeze-resistant model. Disconnect every hose, drain any remaining water out of it, and store it coiled in a garage or shed for winter.
Step 2: Shut Off the Interior Supply Valve
Most homes have a dedicated shutoff valve for outdoor spigots, usually located in the basement, crawl space, or utility area, close to where the line exits the house. Turn this valve off before the first hard freeze of the season. This isolates the exterior line from the rest of your home's plumbing.
Step 3: Drain the Line
After shutting off the interior valve, go back outside and open the spigot to let any remaining water drain out completely. Leave the spigot open through the winter — this gives any water that does somehow get in room to expand without building dangerous pressure. Some outdoor faucets have a small bleeder cap near the shutoff valve specifically for releasing residual water; if yours does, open it briefly to drain the section between the valve and the spigot.
Step 4: Install Faucet Covers
Inexpensive foam faucet covers (usually a few dollars each at any hardware store) slip over the spigot and provide an extra layer of insulation against wind chill and hard frost. They're not a substitute for shutting off and draining the line, but they add meaningful protection, especially during unexpected cold snaps.
Step 5: Winterize Irrigation Systems
If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, draining the hose bib alone isn't enough — the irrigation lines themselves need to be cleared of water too. This usually requires shutting off the system's main valve and using an air compressor to blow out remaining water from each zone. Many homeowners hire an irrigation specialist for this specific job once a year, since doing it incorrectly can leave water trapped in low points of the line.
Step 6: Insulate Exposed Pipes
Any pipe running through an unheated space — a garage, crawl space, attic, or exterior wall — is vulnerable even if it's not technically an "outdoor" pipe. Foam pipe sleeves, sold by the foot or in bundles, slide directly over exposed piping and are inexpensive relative to the cost of a burst-pipe repair. Pay particular attention to any pipe running along an exterior wall on the north or windward side of the house.
During a Hard Freeze
On especially cold nights, letting an interior faucet connected to a vulnerable line drip slightly can relieve pressure buildup and reduce the odds of a freeze-related crack. Opening cabinet doors under sinks that back onto exterior walls also lets warmer household air reach the pipes.
If a Pipe Does Freeze
If a faucet suddenly stops producing water during a cold spell, a frozen (not yet burst) pipe is the likely cause. Never use an open flame to thaw it. A hair dryer, heat lamp kept at a safe distance, or warm towels applied gradually to the suspected frozen section are safer methods. If you can't locate the frozen section, or if you see any bulging or cracking, shut off the main water supply and call a plumber before the ice fully melts and reveals a leak.