Winterizing outdoor spigots is an important seasonal maintenance task that helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting during cold winter months. Properly winterizing your outdoor spigots ensures they continue working properly when you need to use them again in spring.
What is an Outdoor Spigot?
An outdoor spigot, also called an outdoor faucet or hose bib, is a water spout located on the exterior of a home or building. It provides access to running water for tasks like watering plants, washing cars, filling pools, power washing outdoor surfaces, etc. Outdoor spigots are connected to interior plumbing and water supply lines.
Spigots installed on exterior walls are called wall hydrants. They often have a backflow prevention device built into the faucet body. Freeze-proof models extend the valve into a heated interior space to avoid freezing.
Spigots mounted on the ground are called yard hydrants or frost-free hydrants. The valve and shutoff are located below the frost line underground where temperatures don’t dip below freezing.
Why Winterize Outdoor Faucets?
Outdoor spigots need to be winterized to avoid:
- Pipe bursts: Water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on pipes that can cause them to break or crack if water inside them freezes. This leads to costly repairs.
- Valve damage: Frozen water can damage faucet valves and seals, rendering spigots inoperable. Repairing or replacing damaged fixtures is expensive.
- Flooding: Burst pipes and damaged valves cause uncontrolled water leakage and flooding once temperatures warm in spring and the frozen blockages thaw. Cleanup and interior repairs can be extensive.
- Mold: Water damage from burst pipes or leaky valves promotes mold growth that poses health hazards and requires professional remediation.
- High bills: Running water to prevent freezing leads to high usage and water bills in cold regions.
Thoroughly winterizing outdoor spigots properly protects them through harsh freezing weather so they function reliably when needed again after winter passes.
When to Winterize Outdoor Faucets
The timing for winterizing outdoor spigots depends on your local climate:
- Northern regions: Spigots should be winterized in late fall before the first hard freeze, generally between late October and early December.
- Central regions: Winterize spigots in mid to late fall after several frosty nights occur, typically November.
- Southern regions: Winterize in early winter, usually December, before sustained freezing temperatures arrive.
Check your local weather forecasts and historical freeze dates to determine the best time to winterize each year. Wrap and insulate spigots as an added protection to allow for continued usage during fall.
Materials Needed for Winterizing Outdoor Faucets
Gather the following supplies before beginning the winterization process:
- Spigot key or specialized faucet wrench to access the shutoff valve
- Pipe insulation or foam covers for wrapping spigots
- Weatherproof tape to secure insulation
- Industrial heat tape with insulation (optional)
- Air compressor with accessory nozzle and hose
- Rag or towel
- Bucket
- Plumber’s antifreeze (propylene glycol)
- Water shutoff tool for indoor access to main valve
Having these materials ready beforehand makes winterizing faster and easier.
How to Winterize Outdoor Faucets
Follow these steps to properly winterize outdoor spigots and avoid frozen pipe damage:
Shut Off Indoor Water Supply
The first step is to locate the main interior water shutoff valve for your building and turn off the water supply. This is usually near the water meter.
Shutting off the water ensures pipes are empty while you winterize the outdoor spigots. The valve may be stiff, so use a water key tool if needed to fully rotate it into the closed position.
Drain Exterior Water Lines
With the main water supply shut off, open the spigot handle on each outdoor faucet to drain the pipes leading to them. Leave the spigots open to ensure all water drains out.
Disconnect Hoses & Attachments
Remove any hoses, nozzle accessories, splitters, timers or other attachments hooked up to outdoor faucets. Store these indoors over winter.
Also, inspect the spigot for leaks, cracked fittings or missing gaskets. Make any needed repairs now before winterizing.
Insulate Spigot Pipes
Once water lines are drained, wrap all accessible pipe sections leading to and from outdoor spigots with insulating foam covers or pipe insulation. This insulates against freezing temperatures.
Secure the insulation tightly in place with weatherproof tape so it stays protected outdoors all winter.
Installing Heat Tape
For additional freeze protection, consider installing UL-rated heat tape on exposed pipes and wrapping insulation over it. The self-regulating heat tape only runs when needed during freezing weather. Follow manufacturer instructions for proper installation.
Spray Foam Insulation Gaps
Check where spigot pipes penetrate the exterior wall. Seal any gaps or openings around the pipes with handheld spray foam insulation to protect against cold air entry. Let the foam fully cure before moving on.
Shut Off Spigot Valves
The next critical step is turning off the shutoff valve on each outdoor spigot. This valve is located behind the spigot handle. Use the correct size spigot key to access and turn the valve clockwise to the closed position.
Drain Faucet Housing
With the shutoff valve closed, turn the outdoor spigot faucet on again to drain any remaining water from the faucet body housing. Leave the spigot open.
Place a bucket under the spigot outlet to catch drainage. A bit of water will trickle out once the housing empties.
Install Insulating Spigot Covers
Once each outdoor spigot is fully drained with the valve closed, slip insulating foam covers over the faucet and valve body. Secure them in place with weatherproof tape.
The covers provide freeze protection for the hardware inside the spigot housing over winter.
Flush Spigot Lines with Antifreeze
The final winterization step is flushing outdoor spigot supply lines with plumber’s antifreeze (propylene glycol) to avoid freeze damage.
Use an air compressor nozzle adapter to blow out any remaining water from the lines. Connect the antifreeze hose to the adapter and siphon plumber’s antifreeze into the lines, working the handle to circulate it. Refill with antifreeze until it exits the spigot.
Turn Water Back On
Double check that all outdoor spigots are fully winterized, then go inside and turn the main water supply back on. Leave interior valves completely open so pipes can drain if any condensation occurs.
Check Sprinkler System
If you have an underground sprinkler system, drain and blow out all zones with compressed air. Disconnect hoses and backflow preventer. Drain the backflow device and cover it. Consult a professional if unsure.
And that completes the winterization process! Follow these steps properly each fall and your outdoor spigots will be protected from freeze damage all winter long.
Tips for Effective Winterization
Keep these additional tips in mind for foolproof outdoor spigot winterization:
- Winterize when temperatures are above freezing to avoid getting water trapped in pipes.
- Make sure plumber’s antifreeze rated for winter use is fresh each year.
- Close outdoor spigots slowly to avoid water hammer that can damage pipes.
- Label each winterized spigot with the date after completing the process.
- Check insulation and tape monthly and replace as needed.
- Consider hiring a professional if pipes are in difficult to access locations.
- Document the winterization process with photos in case repairs are needed before spring.
Advance preparation and careful attention to detail are vital for effective seasonal protection of outdoor spigots and pipes.
Springtime Activation of Outdoor Spigots
When spring arrives, reverse the winterization process to safely reactivate your outdoor faucets:
- Inspect spigots for damage before removing covers. Replace damaged parts.
- Slowly open shutoff valves on each spigot to avoid pressure surges in the plumbing.
- Check for leaks as water begins flowing again. Tighten fittings or replace gaskets as needed.
- Flush spigot lines well to purge any antifreeze residue before using water.
- Reattach hoses, backflow preventers, splitters and other fittings. Check washers and replace if worn.
- Remove insulating covers once freezing risk has passed.
- Inspect pipes for wet spots that may indicate damage. Repair any leaks or bursts before using spigots.
- Consider hiring a plumber for help identifying and fixing hidden pipe damage revealed after winter passes.
Proper spring reactivation ensures your outdoor spigots function normally again once warmer weather arrives. Practice consistent seasonal maintenance to maximize their lifespan.
FAQs About Winterizing Outdoor Faucets
Some frequently asked questions about preparing outdoor spigots for winter include:
Should I shut off indoor valves too?
Yes, shut off all indoor shutoff valves leading to outdoor spigots, not just the main valve. This isolates the outdoor plumbing completely. Leave indoor valves off all winter.
What temperature should I winterize spigots?
Ideally above 45°F for water to flow freely while draining pipes. Otherwise, trapped water could freeze overnight before antifreeze is added.
How much antifreeze should I use?
Fluid should discharge from the spigot outlet when you’re done filling the lines. Use 1-2 gallons per spigot as a general estimate.
Can I just shut off the valve and not drain lines?
No, water left sitting in pipes could still freeze and easily crack them once temperatures drop below freezing for an extended time.
My spigot drips after shutting off the valve. What should I do?
The valve likely needs a new seal. Turn the water back on temporarily and replace the valve stem packing or cartridge before winterizing.
I have an interior shutoff for my spigot. Do I still need to winterize the exterior valve?
Yes, you should still winterize both valves. The exterior valve helps protect the pipe section leading outside.
How do I winterize a frost-free spigot?
Frost-free types should drain automatically. But adding antifreeze is still recommended for additional protection.
Thorough planning and preparation ensures your outdoor spigots survive winter in proper working order, saving you from extensive repairs and costly water damage in spring. Carefully follow the winterization steps each fall.
Conclusion
Winterizing outdoor spigots is crucial seasonal maintenance for preventing catastrophic pipe bursts, flooding, high water bills, and other problems caused by frozen pipes. While the process takes some time and effort, the payoff is well worth it.
Carefully draining pipes, insulating exposed sections, sealing penetrations, shutting valves, and flushing with antifreeze provides robust freeze protection that keeps your plumbing intact through the coldest winter conditions.
Reversing the steps in spring reactivates your exterior water access so outdoor spigots function normally again for hose connections and summer usage. Invest a few hours before winter to save yourself from plumbing disasters later!