Absolutely—it’s something I deal with all the time as a Michigan homeowner and real estate investor. My go-to method is simple: I shut off the interior valve to each outdoor faucet, drain any remaining water from the exterior spigot, and cover it with an insulated faucet cover. This quick process can save you from costly repairs and major headaches come spring—something I always remind clients when prepping homes for sale in our chilly climate.
My go-to method for winterizing outdoor faucets is simple but critical. First, I shut off the water supply to the outdoor spigots from the inside—usually found in the basement or utility area. Then I open the outdoor faucet to let any remaining water drain out completely. Next, I disconnect any attached hoses and store them indoors. Leaving a hose connected can trap water and lead to freezing back into the pipe. After draining, I screw on a foam faucet cover—a cheap, effective insulator you can find at any hardware store. This combo of cutting off the water, draining the line, and insulating the spigot has saved me from freeze damage more than once. A $5 cover can prevent a $500 repair—worth the five-minute job every time.
My go-to approach for winterizing outdoor faucets is a simple but thorough process that's saved me from costly freeze damage several times. First, I shut off the water supply to the outdoor spigots from inside the house, usually at the basement valve. Then, I open the outdoor faucet to drain any remaining water. To be extra safe, I disconnect and drain garden hoses to avoid trapping water that can freeze and expand. Next, I install insulated faucet covers—these are inexpensive but highly effective at keeping cold air away. In especially cold climates, I add foam pipe insulation around any exposed pipes leading to the faucet. This combination of shutting off water, draining, and insulating has consistently prevented freezing and pipe bursts for me. It's a straightforward routine that only takes a few minutes but protects your plumbing throughout the winter months.
The key is to stay ahead of the cold snap. We always remind homeowners to shut off the interior valve that controls the outdoor faucet, then open the outdoor tap to let any leftover water drain out completely. You'd be surprised how many people forget that second step and end up with cracked pipes in the spring. At Greg's Plumbing, we also recommend installing frost-free hose bibs if your house doesn't already have them—they save people from a lot of stress (and emergency calls) once the deep freeze sets in. And if you're the forgetful type? Put a reminder in your phone every October. Frozen spigots are one of the most avoidable plumbing disasters we see in Ontario. — Natalie Beech, Marketing Manager, Greg's Plumbing & Heating (www.gregsplumbing.ca)
My top tip here is going to be removing any hoses or attachments first of all. Really you should be doing this prior to any danger of a freeze, since it will give your hoses and your faucets or spigots a chance to drain of any leftover water. I'd recommend turning off the water to any outdoor water sources over the winter to help prevent water getting in there and then freezing and causing damage. This will also allow you to open up the faucets over the winter so they can continue to drain any excess condensation or anything that builds up and further prevent freezes.