Tools You'll Need
Step-by-Step
Disconnect all hoses
Remove all garden hoses from outdoor faucets before the first freeze. A connected hose traps water that can freeze and burst even a frost-free faucet.
Drain the hoses
Drain hoses and store them indoors. Water left in a hose can freeze and damage the hose and the faucet.
Shut off interior valves
If your outdoor faucet has an interior shutoff valve, close it inside the house.
Open the outdoor faucet
Open the outdoor faucet to let any remaining water drain out. Leave it open for the winter — this lets any trapped water expand without bursting the pipe.
Check for frost-free faucets
If you have frost-free faucets (long stem, handle at an angle), they're designed to drain automatically — but only if the hose is disconnected.
Insulate if needed
If you have standard (non-frost-free) faucets, install foam faucet covers from the hardware store for extra protection.
WHEN TO STOP
- If a faucet is already frozen, don't try to thaw it with an open flame — that's a fire hazard.
- If you see water leaking from a faucet after a freeze, the pipe may have burst — shut off the interior valve and call a plumber.
WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL
- A faucet is frozen — we can safely thaw it and check for damage.
- A faucet is leaking after a freeze — the pipe may have burst inside the wall.
- You want to replace standard faucets with frost-free models.