Of all the plumbing fixtures in your home, you probably spend the least amount of time thinking about your outdoor faucets. They are easy to forget about, but when wintertime rolls around, remembering to take care of them becomes extremely important. Failing to insulate your outdoor faucets will likely lead to frozen and burst pipes, so this is one maintenance task you definitely do not want to overlook.
Insulate Outdoor Faucets in 3 Easy Steps
Step One: Shut Off the Water
Plumbing pipes that have water in them freeze easily when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Turning off your outdoor water supply valve cuts off the supply to your outdoor faucets, making them less prone to freezing. If you will be heading south for the winter, turn off the main water supply to your entire house. Need help finding where to shut off your water? Call us or contact us online and we will be happy to provide more assistance.
Step Two: Remove Accessories and Drain Water
Once you have turned off the water supply, remove all attachments – like hoses – from your outdoor faucets. Make sure hoses are empty prior to rolling them up and storing them away from the winter. Once the attachments have been removed, open the faucet to allow any remaining water to drain from the line.
Step Three: Install Insulation
Once the water is removed from the faucet and pipes, you still need to insulate the faucet itself. Covers made from foam insulation are available at any hardware store, and they are easy to install. Simply place it over the faucet and any exposed plumbing pipe.
Insulating your outdoor faucets is easy, and doing so can save you a lot of money and frustration. If you need help getting your home’s plumbing system ready for winter or if you are dealing with a frozen pipe in Hagerstown or Frederick, the expert plumbers at Larry & Sons are here to help. Call (301) 733-5428 or contact us online anytime day or night.
