Project Summary
- Duration of Work: 10 minutes
- Overall Duration: 10 minutes
- Proficiency Level: Novice
- Projected Expense: Between $10 and $20 or higher.
Prepare your outdoor faucets for winter to avoid pipe damage caused by freezing conditions. Typically performed in late autumn, this simple and cost-effective DIY approach safeguards your plumbing from the risk of bursting or leaking in harsh temperatures.
Discover the process of preparing outdoor faucets for winter by utilizing faucet covers.
Contents
Requirements for Your Task
Gear / Instruments
- Container (for removing surplus water)
- Tool for any required disassemblies or fixes.
Materials
- Covers for outdoor faucets with insulation (one for every outdoor spigot)
- Materials for faucet repair (as required)
Instructions
Steps to Prepare Outdoor Faucets for Winter
To prevent issues with freezing temperatures, it’s advisable to detach hoses promptly. Just a single night of freezing conditions can lead to pipe damage.
Unplug the hoses.
Detach hoses, splitters, or any fittings attached to the faucet before the winter season arrives. Failing to remove hoses can lead to water being trapped, significantly increasing the risk of the faucet freezing.
Inspect Faucets for Drips
Inspect all faucets, outdoor hydrants, and other plumbing fixtures for any signs of leaks or dripping. Should you encounter any issues, make sure to fix or replace the fixture before the temperatures fall to freezing. A dripping faucet often points to a faulty washer or cartridge, which can become clogged and freeze within the faucet or the connected pipe.
Empty the Faucet and Tubing
Turn off the water supply and collect the water in a bucket while the temperatures are still above freezing. To do this, close the interior shut-off valve that controls the water line to the faucet. Then, open the faucet and keep it open for a few hours to allow the water in the pipe to fully drain. Once the water has been emptied, close the faucet.
Put on Outdoor Faucet Insulators
The final stage of preparing outdoor faucets for winter involves insulating them. Ensure that the faucet cover is securely fitted over the faucet, leaving no spaces between the cover and the house. For fabric covers, pull the drawstring snugly around the faucet, positioning it as near to the house as you can. It’s also important to cover frost-free spigots. While they can withstand some freezing, they are not completely immune to frost. Providing additional insulation will help safeguard the gaskets and washers within the frost-free spigots.
Advice for Preparing Outdoor Faucets for Winter
Discover strategies for utilizing outdoor faucet covers and additional methods to prepare your faucets for winter.
- Consider installing freeze-proof faucets: This is an effective measure to prevent potential long-term issues. These faucets are available in various lengths to accommodate the thickness of your foundation wall or the connection point indoors. When not in use, the water is designed to drain out.
- Choose the appropriate faucet cover: Faucet covers come in two main designs: square or dome-shaped shells crafted from sturdy thermal foam, featuring adaptable gaskets that snugly fit over outdoor faucets, or they can be flexible bags constructed from durable fabric filled with insulating material.
- Include additional insulation: Extra loose insulation can be added within the faucet cover to maintain warmth and dryness during the winter months. Nevertheless, in many cases, the faucet cover alone will offer sufficient insulation.
- Maintain warmth in your home: Faucet covers function by capturing the warmth that naturally emanates from the house and the internal plumbing to the exterior faucet. The insulated cover helps to retain this warmth, preventing it from dissipating. If the home is unheated or if the plumbing is not in use, the faucet cover will not be effective.
- Ensure a tight seal between the faucet cover and the house to maximize thermal insulation. Make certain there are no spaces between the cover and the siding of the house.
- Locate the primary water shut-off: The water that flows from the faucet originates from the plumbing system in your home. This system includes a main shut-off valve. It’s essential to identify this valve so that you can quickly turn off the water in the event of a leak. Typically, the shut-off valve can be found on the side of the house facing the street, within the house’s boundaries, often in the basement or close to the foundation. If you don’t have a shut-off valve inside, using a faucet cover becomes even more crucial.
When to Seek Professional Assistance
If you possess a frost-free faucet or a yard hydrant, you won’t require faucet covers as much. For instance, a frost-free faucet can remain intact even if you neglect to put on the covers before a prolonged, frigid night. Consider hiring a plumber to help you install a frost-free faucet or yard hydrant.
Is it advisable to keep outdoor faucets open throughout the winter months?
Keeping outdoor faucets open in winter can be a viable option if the alternative is the danger of frozen pipes. However, it’s usually more effective to insulate the faucet with a cover rather than allowing the water to drip.
Is it more effective to let outdoor faucets drip or to insulate them during the winter months?
Wrapping faucets with insulated covers is a more effective solution than allowing them to drip continuously. While a steady drip might be a temporary fix when no alternatives are available, prolonged dripping can lead to more severe issues, such as ice blockages.
What are the consequences of leaving outdoor faucets uncovered?
Failing to protect outdoor faucets can lead to them bursting during extended cold spells. This can cause water to run down the side of your home and potentially seep inside. Additionally, the water can freeze outside, resulting in significant issues. Fortunately, this disaster can be easily avoided by installing faucet covers on your outdoor faucets prior to the winter season.
