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Outdoor Faucet Winterization Guide

easyHome Repair30 min

Protect your plumbing from freezing temperatures with this essential outdoor faucet winterization guide. Designed for homeowners, this tutorial teaches you how to properly shut off and drain your exterior water lines to prevent costly pipe bursts. You will learn the step-by-step process of disconnecting hoses and locating internal shut-off valves to ensure your home stays safe all winter.

Safety Warnings

  • Avoid using a blowtorch or open flame to warm frozen pipes, as this can cause house fires.
  • Do not put antifreeze in outdoor water supply lines; it is potentially harmful to children, pets, wildlife, and your landscape.

Tools Needed

adjustable 8-inch wrench — Wrench for gripping and turning nuts and fittings
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pliers — slip joint or channel locks
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Materials

plumber's tape — Teflon thread seal tape(1 roll)
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rag — absorbent cotton(2)
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Steps

1
Disconnect all garden hoses from the outdoor faucets and store them in a dry location.
2
Locate the interior shut-off valve for the outdoor faucet (sillcock) and turn it to the off position.
3
If a dedicated shut-off valve is not available, locate and close the main water shut-off valve for the entire home, typically found in a basement, crawl space, garage, or laundry room.
4
Open the outdoor faucet handles completely to drain any remaining water from the lines and release the internal pressure.
5
If your home has a sprinkler system, turn off and drain the lines. You may need a professional to blow out leftover water from underground lines to prevent breakage.
6
Verify the faucet is fully drained. For frost-proof models, be aware that it may take 30 to 60 seconds for all water to drain out after the valve is closed.

Pro Tips

  • Flowing water resists freezing better than static water; if a deep freeze is expected, leave indoor faucets running at a trickle in the coldest areas of the house.

When to Call a Professional

If you discover a cracked outdoor faucet or visible frost on indoor pipes, call a licensed plumber.

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