How to Winterize Outdoor Faucets

Protect your faucets in the winter.

Leaving your outdoor faucets unprotected during the winter not only causes the water to freeze in the pipe, but can cause unseen damage you won't discover until the first thaw. The frozen water in the pipe will expand and possibly burst the pipe, causing water damage inside your home. It is important that you take the time to winterize your outdoor faucets before the first freeze.

Things You'll Need

• Old rags
• Newspapers
• Plastic sheets
• Duct tape
• Polystyrene foam faucet covers

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Remove the garden hoses from all outdoor faucets. This allows any water left in the faucet to drain.

2. Wrap the faucet in insulating material such as old rags or newspapers.

3. Cover the insulated faucet with plastic and hold the plastic in place with duct tape. Also use inexpensive polystyrene foam faucet covers. They attach to the faucet with a large around-the-faucet handle and are held in place with a wing nut.

References

• City of Great Falls Montana: How to Prevent Your Water Pipes and Meter from Freezing
• Extension: Even Frost-Free Faucets Can Freeze, Break
• Remodeling My Space: Winterize Home