Winterization is an important chore for homeowners living in colder climates. It is crucial to properly winterize pipes and outdoor faucets. If you have been wondering how do you prepare outdoor faucets for winter, our quick guide will provide you with some basic tips to protect your home from damage this winter. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Winterize?
Most people know that pipes need to be winterized. Do outdoor faucets need to be winterized? The answer is yes. Outdoor faucets definitely need to be winterized before the cold months roll around.
When temperatures dip below freezing it can cause damage to your home’s water systems. This can include busted pipes, loss of water pressure, cracked faucets, and other types of damage. Outdoor faucets are an entry point into your home’s water system and pipes. This means that allowing exposure here to freezing temps can start a chain reaction in other parts of the system. You should always winterize your outdoor faucets.
When To Winterize
Winterizing is not that big of a chore, but it is very important. It should only take a few minutes to winterize your faucets. You should winterize before the first freezing temperatures hit. If you are in a new area and are not familiar with the weather patterns yet, you should do some research to find out when this happens each year. Talk to your neighbors or go online to find out.
If you live in an area with early intense winters, you can winterize in fall as soon as you are done for the season using the outdoor water supply. Those living in milder climates may use their outdoor faucets longer into the fall. Pay attention to the weather forecasts so that you know when to winterize.
Safety Precautions
Often, water supplies are located in hard-to-reach parts of the house or property. Be sure to use caution when entering these areas. While you are accessing water supplies, be sure to also check for other maintenance issues that could be lurking in these hidden areas.
Tools You Will Need
To complete this chore, you will need the following tools:
- Adjustable wrench
- Tongue and groove pliers
- Work gloves
- Flashlight
- Bucket
- Outdoor faucet winter cover
How To Winterize Faucets
There are typically two types of outdoor faucets: conventional and freeze-proof. A freeze-proof faucet will stop water flow far enough back in the pipe to ensure that the water is behind the insulated wall. This often helps to prevent freezing. Even if you have a freeze-proof faucet, you should winterize if you live in extremely cold temps. Follow these steps to winterize your outdoor faucets.
- Shut off water supply
- Disconnect hoses
- Drain faucet into the bucket
- Install faucet cover
If you do not feel confident about winterizing your faucets and pipes, reach out to a local professional to assist you with this important task.