Protecting Your Outside Faucets From Freezing
Once winter arrives, your pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting during heavy storms and sudden freezes. Knowing how to protect outside faucets from freezing before that winter weather arrives can go a long way toward protecting your property and giving you more peace of mind throughout the seasons. At 1-800-Plumber + Air, we're committed to helping homeowners throughout the Pearland area be ready before the first freeze. Learn more about how to protect outdoor faucets from freezing now so you're ready to withstand winter storms later.
Understanding the Risks
Indoor pipes are more protected from sudden freezes, as they are surrounded by warmer interior air, and you can easily inspect them for frost or changes in water pressure. Outdoor pipes are at a much greater risk because:
- Outdoor pipes are exposed to low outdoor temperatures with little relief. Pipe insulation protects the pipes from frosty winds but won't fully block out long-lasting freezes.
- Outdoor faucet freeze problems can be caused by lingering drops of water, even if you cut off the main water connection.
- Texas pipes are submerged in the soil at relatively shallow levels, so frost can more easily penetrate the ground and reach the pipes than in other regions.
Once pipes freeze over, they're at risk of bursting and cracking. While this can be an emergency for outlets and faucets above the ground, it can be even more problematic in pipes buried underground, where you might not immediately catch the damage.
Simple Solutions for Prevention
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk and protect outdoor faucets from freezing. Use these common tactics to both winterize your exterior plumbing system and keep it in good condition before, during, and after each winter.
Winterizing Your Plumbing System
In the last weeks of autumn, take time to winterize your plumbing and irrigation systems. Best practices include:
- Cover outside faucets. Make sure visible exterior pipes are completely wrapped in insulation, and cover bulky faucets with insulative bags and foam to keep frost at bay.
- Turn off exterior water connections. Pool systems, irrigation systems, and outdoor faucets are unlikely to be needed in the winter, so shut off the water connections and, when applicable, blow out the pipes. This ensures there is no water trapped within the pipes and hardware during the winter, so there's no risk of it freezing, expanding, and breaking something. You can also disconnect the hoses, which might have drops of water in the threads.
- Check for leaks. To provide extra protection against frozen pipes, check the hose connections and fixtures for leaks before you close the water connection. Replace broken bibs or connectors so there's no risk of a leak and ice.
Regular Maintenance Practices
Routine maintenance also plays a role in protecting your pipe. This can include:
- Checking for leaks or damage
- Inspecting the ground around buried pipes for excess water that can indicate a leak
- Regularly rotating the water valves during spring, summer, and fall to prevent seizing or hard water buildup
- Cleaning the spout and spigots to prevent buildup and clogs
- Checking for rust, wear, and damage
- Keeping hoses disconnected and stored when not in use
All of these steps help keep your plumbing in good condition and minimize the risk of winter freezes due to disrepair or preexisting damage along your outside faucets.
When to Seek Professional Help
There are plenty of DIY methods to protect outdoor faucets from freezing, but you can also winterize your pipes with support from local experts. At 1-800-Plumbe r+Air, we provide maintenance, repairs, winterization services, and more. Contact us today to schedule a seasonal servicing appointment and be ready for winter's first freeze.
Featured Image Credit: Nazarova Mariia
