How to Make an Outdoor Faucet Sock

Insulate your outdoor faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

In northern climates where snow and ice are the norm for much of the winter months, frozen pipes can be a serious concern. Insulation under the home can go a long way toward preventing pipes from freezing, but the outdoor faucet is usually left out in the cold, literally. Ice can build up inside these faucets, causing serious property damage if it spreads to the pipes connected to the tap. Create an insulated faucet sock to cover and protect your outside faucets to prevent winter icing from occurring.

Things You'll Need

• Insulated mitten
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Zip ties

Instructions

1. Cut the thumb off an insulated mitten. Leave about 1/2 inch of the base of the thumb and remove the rest.

2. Turn the mitten inside out. Pull out the stub of the cut-off thumb so that it sticks out from the body of the mitten.

3. Stitch along the base of the thumb, continuing the seam line from the body of the mitten, to close the thumb hole. You will end up with what looks like a mitten with no thumb.

4. Turn the mitten right side out. Slip the mitten onto your outside faucet with the wrist part of the mitten snug against the side of the house.

5. Wrap a zip tie around the base of the mitten at the top of the faucet where it meets the wall. Tie it as close to the wall as possible. Pull the zip tie tightly to secure the mitten and hold it through the season.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the kind of mitten made from slick nylon and insulated with thinsulate, if possible. Search thrift stores for inexpensive mittens for this project.

Resources

• The Find: Faucet Sock