Guide: autumn
Winterizing Outdoor Faucets Before the First Frost
Outdoor taps split in winter when water is trapped inside. Here is how to shut them down properly each autumn.
- Disconnect the hose. Drain and store it.
- Close the interior valve. Turn it clockwise or perpendicular to the pipe.
- Open the outdoor tap. Let water drain out.
- Open the bleed cap on the inside valve (when fitted) to drain the remaining water.
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Why outdoor taps freeze
An outdoor tap sits in the coldest part of the plumbing system. When water inside freezes, it expands and can split the pipe. The damage often shows in spring once the tap is turned on and water runs inside the wall.
Step by step
- Disconnect the hose. Drain and store it.
- Find the interior shut-off. Usually on the basement ceiling or wall near where the pipe exits.
- Close the interior valve. Turn it clockwise or perpendicular to the pipe.
- Open the outdoor tap. Let water drain out.
- Open the bleed cap on the inside valve (when fitted) to drain the remaining water.
- Leave the outdoor tap open over winter so trapped water can expand.
No interior shut-off?
Some older homes have outdoor taps with no interior valve. In that case, consider installing one or replacing the tap with a frost-free model with its own shut-off.
In spring
Close the outdoor tap and bleed cap, open the interior valve slowly and check for leaks inside before using the hose. See outdoor faucet repair and preventing frozen pipes.
Questions we get about this
What if my outdoor tap still drips after I close it?
Water may be trapped between the interior valve and the tap. Let it drain. If it keeps running, the interior valve is not sealing and needs repair.