When your outdoor faucets are left exposed to harsh cold, it can cause the water supply pipes to freeze. These pipes extend into your home and can cause water damage and pipe ruptures that may impact the integrity and structure of your home.
To avoid such costly repairs, you must prepare all outdoor faucets for the winter months. So, how can you do that? Let’s find out!
How to Prepare Your Outdoor Faucets for Winter
To ensure your home does not sustain any damage as the temperature drops, it is important to prepare your outdoor faucets ahead of time. Here are all the steps involved:
Step 1: Detach Hoses from Faucets
The first thing you must do is locate all the faucets in the outdoor space. If any of the faucets have a hose attached to them, remove them. Be sure to drain all the water from the hose.
Step 2: Add Bleeder Caps to Shutoff Valves
The next step is to locate the shutoff valves inside your home that lead to the outdoor faucets. Typically, you can find such valves near the ceiling of your basement.
In most cases, the shutoff valves are level-styled. Once you have located them all, add bleeder caps.
Step 3: Turn Off the Water and Drain
Now you can turn off the water supply from the shutoff valves. Once all valves have been shut off, open the outdoor faucets, and some water will come out. Doing so will help drain the faucets of any remaining water.
Once you’re sure all the water has been drained, go back inside and remove the bleed cap. Some more water may come out during this step, so ensure you have a water bucket underneath the cap. Now replace the bleed cap, and don’t forget to close the outdoor faucets.
Step 4: Add An Insulated Faucet Cover
Consider adding an insulated faucet cover that can protect them during winter. These are removable covers that can be removed during summertime.
Get Freeze-Proof Faucets with W. J. McNabb Plumbing
If you’re concerned about frozen faucets, how about adding freeze-proof outdoor faucets to your home? But now that you know how to prepare your outdoor faucets for winter don’t forget to drain and shut them off, even if they are freeze-proof.
W. J. McNabb Plumbing can help with the installation. We are skilled at installing freeze-proof faucets and can even install and repair additional faucets as needed. Reach out today to get started. Call us at (412) 787 – 8299 or send us your queries by filling out an easy online contact form.