Winterizing Your Hose Bibbs

As the onset of cold weather approaches and the first frost looms, it's a prudent time to consider coiling up your garden hose and stowing it away until the arrival of spring. If you've ever experienced the inconvenience of frozen or burst pipes, you understand the critical importance of correctly shutting off your outdoor water supply lines. Neglecting the proper drainage and closure of your outdoor hose bibbs can result in residual water within the supply line, which can freeze, expand, and cause your pipes to rupture. Taking the necessary steps to winterize your outdoor faucets will spare you the frustrations and potential damage associated with frozen or burst pipes.

STEPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOSE BIBBS FOR WINTER

Getting your hose bibbs ready for the freezing temperatures of winter isn't a complicated task. Here are a few straightforward steps to guide you in draining hose bibbs for the winter and safeguarding the integrity of your outdoor plumbing:

1. Locate your shut-off valve: The shut-off valve for your hose bibb can typically be found inside your home, potentially in your basement, crawl space, or utility room.
2. Close the indoor valve(s): Keep in mind that if you have multiple hose bibbs, each one will have its own corresponding shut-off valve to close.
3. Disconnect your hoses: The next step is to detach your hoses from your spigots, ensuring they are drained before storage.
4. Store your hoses indoors: Safeguard your hoses from freezing outdoor temperatures by keeping them in heated garages or basements, ensuring they remain in good condition.
5. Keep faucets open for the winter: After removing the garden hoses, turn all outdoor faucets to the "on" position, leaving them open for the duration of the winter.

By following these straightforward steps, you can rest assured that your hose bibbs will be in excellent condition when spring arrives. Winterizing your hose bibbs will spare you the inconvenience and expense associated with frozen or burst pipes. Once you become proficient at preparing your outdoor spigots for winter, this task will become a routine and trouble-free annual chore!

UPGRADING TO FROST-PROOF HOSE BIBBS

For added peace of mind, you can invest in frost-proof hose bibbs for your home. Frost-free hose bibbs are installed with a slight downward pitch, and the shut-off valve is situated several inches inside your home. This design preserves the integrity of your pipes by preventing water from lingering in them and freezing. If you want to eliminate concerns about cracked hose bibbs or freeze-related damage during the winter months, installing frost-proof hose bibbs is the optimal solution!