How to Cover Outdoor Spigots in a Freeze

Insulate outdoor faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

Cold winter temperatures pose numerous threats to the home, and one of the biggest is frozen water pipes. When temperatures fall below freezing, uninsulated pipes allow the water in them to freeze. This results in no water for the homeowner until the pipes thaw. In some cases, the frozen water expands so much that the pipe bursts, resulting in an expensive repair. Outdoor water spigots are the most vulnerable to freezing temperatures, because they are exposed directly to them.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Rags
• Duct tape
• Plastic wrap
• Trash bag
• Foam spigot cover

Instructions

1. Detach the garden hose from the spigot, if applicable.

2. Start at the base of the water spigot and wrap it with a 1-inch layer of newspaper or rags. Secure the newspaper or rags to the spigot using duct tape. The duct tape does not need to cover the entire spigot, but make sure it holds the insulation in place.

3. Wrap a layer of plastic wrap, a piece of plastic tarp, or a trash bag around the newspaper on the spigot. This provides a waterproof layer, as well as additional protection from the cold temperatures.

4. Insert a molded foam insulating cover over the spigot. Molded foam covers are small boxes of foam that simply slip onto the end of the spigot and protect them from cold temperatures. Tape the base of the cover in place using duct tape. Some foam covers have a metal hook that fits inside the spigot hole and tightens via a screw on the outside of the cover.

Tips & Warnings

• Molded foam spigot covers are available at hardware stores and home improvement stores.

References

• Woodinville Water: Be Prepared This Winter
• Portland Water Bureau: Winterize your water pipes