Why Winterize Your Hose Bibs?
Hose bibs, also known as outdoor faucets or spigots, are the valves that control water flow to garden hoses. During the winter months, temperatures can drop below freezing, causing any water left in these pipes to freeze and expand. This expansion can lead to burst pipes, leaks, and costly damage to a home, leaving homeowners without a functioning outdoor faucet and leading to water damage because the water from a burst pipe can seep into the home’s foundation and cause further damage.
How to Prepare Hose Bibs for Winter
Winterizing hose bibs is a simple task that can save time, money, and headaches in the long run. Follow these steps to prepare a hose bib for winter:
- Shut off the water supply: Locate the shut-off valve for the outdoor faucets and turn it off.
- Detach hoses: Next, detach garden hoses from the spigots, making sure to drain them before putting them into storage.
- Drain the water: Drain any remaining water from the hose bibs by opening the valve and allowing the water to run out.
- Store hoses: After disconnecting and draining garden hoses, store them in a warm, dry place to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
- Leave outdoor faucets open: Once removing and storing garden hoses, turn any outdoor spigots or hose bibs to the “on” position and leave them open for the winter. This will prevent ice from expanding inside a closed system where it could crack or damage the pipe or hose bib.
- Insulate and cover: Wrap outdoor faucets with insulating material, such as foam covers, to provide extra protection against freezing temperatures, or use insulated faucet covers. These covers protect the hose bib and pipes from snow and freezing temperatures.
Properly preparing hose bibs for winter is an important task that should not be overlooked. It can prevent costly damage and ensure they will continue functioning correctly in the spring. Don’t wait until the first snowfall to take action. Start preparing hose bibs now and add this task to the winter preparation checklist to avoid unnecessary headaches or expenses and enjoy a stress-free winter season!
About Maximum Plumbing
Maximum Plumbing is a local plumbing company serving Florence and Northern Kentucky. They offer flat-rate pricing, customer education, and the latest technology. Call them today for a burst pipe or leak repair in Florence, KY.
