Winter weather can cause significant damage to water pipes, including those attached to outdoor faucets. By not taking the necessary precautions to protect your outdoor faucets from freezing temperatures, you may find yourself calling a plumber to repair the damage in the spring. Here is a quick guide to help you prepare your outdoor faucets for the winter.

How to Prepare Your Outside Faucets for the Winter

1. Disconnect Your Hoses

The first step to winterizing your exterior faucets and hose bibs is to disconnect your hoses. Some hose bibs are frost-proof, but they should still be disconnected so that water left inside the faucet doesn’t freeze and damage your pipes.  

2. Inspect for Leaks

Inspect your outdoor faucets for leaks. Even small leaks are enough to freeze and block your pipes. If there are any leaks, you should repair or replace your faucets before the winter. This will prevent the water inside your pipes from freezing and causing your pipes to burst. 

3. Drain Any Remaining Water

Turn off the water supply to the outside faucets to prevent damage. In older homes, you’ll find the shutoff valve indoors near the spigot, and in newer homes, this valve will be near the main water valve. Once you’ve shut off the water supply, open the outside faucet and unscrew the bleeder cap to allow any water to drain. Use a bucket to catch the water. Once the water is drained, reattach the bleeder cap and make sure the spigot is turned off.

Do you need your outdoor faucets repaired or replaced before the winter? Contact Joe Klosterman Plumbing, Inc., the go-to plumbers in Hamilton County, OH. Since 1983, they have offered a variety of plumbing services. Whether you need faucet repairs, sump pump maintenance, or drain cleaning services, their plumbers have the skills and experience to get the job done right. Call (513) 941-6766 to schedule an appointment with a professional plumber, or visit them online to learn more about their services.