How to Winterize Your Hose Bib

With a freeze warning in effect for the Greater Philadelphia area tonight, now is a great time to make sure your outdoor hose bib is prepped for freezing temps. Exterior faucets can cause plenty of problems for your plumbing in the winter. When the cold weather moves in, water in faucets or in attached hoses can freeze and expand, which could lead to your pipes bursting. For maximum protection in the winter from this type of issue, you’ll need to disconnect hoses, turn off your water valve, and insulate your faucet.

1.) Disconnect your hose or any other attachments from the hose bib.

This step is often forgotten but will prevent you from ruining a perfectly good hose.

2.) Locate the Shut-Off Valve for the Exterior Faucet and Turn it Off

Some valves have round wheel handles which you can close by turning them clockwise or to the right. Other valves have lever handles which you can close by using ¼ turns until the handle is no longer parallel to the pipe.

3.) Open the Outdoor Faucet Until it Runs Dry
Keep an eye on the outside faucet for a while after you’ve opened it. When water completely stops dripping from the faucet, it is fully drained. Draining the outside faucet is critical, because standing water between the inside shut-off valve and the outdoor faucet can freeze and break both the fixture and shut-off valve. Creating an air space within the short segment of pipe gives any residual water room to expand if it freezes. If you have an indoor bleeder valve connected to your outdoor drain, make sure to open the valve and put a bucket underneath to catch any excess water.