An outside tap is an extremely handy for watering the garden, washing the car, and even filling the kids’ swimming pool. But before winter comes your outside faucets need to be shut off.
If you live in the southern part of the planet winter may not even be a thought for you. But for many of us summer will pass, fall will arrive and then soon freezing temperatures can be threatening our water supply because pipes can freeze.
Before the freezing weather arrives there are some things you should do to ensure you don’t have pipes that freeze.
1. Wrap all your pipes that are in areas that are not heated, with heat tape or insulation foam wrap
2. Take your garden hose off the faucet and drain it.
3. Wrap your outside faucet with Styrofoam or use rags to protect it from the cold.
4. Any vents around the foundation of your home should be closed off for the winter.
5. Know where the shut off valve for your property is and how to turn it off. It is generally found near the water meter box.
6. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system you need to shut the water off to prevent run-off water from freezing the lines and coming on and freezing on the road.
If you live in sub freezing weather here are some tips to follow:
1. Set your outside tap to drip about 6 drops per minute and let it drip 24 hours a day.
2. In areas that are heated you can open doors to allow heat to reach the pipes.
3. If your washing machine is in area that is not heated you will want to disconnect the hoses and place them in the washer so that they don’t freeze up.
4. If you have pipes that have frozen in the past you already know which ones need your attention. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.
If you will be away from home during a potential freeze up time then you should make sure your water has been turned off and drained. You should also shut off the hot water tank and drain all your outside taps. Leave your kitchen and bathroom taps in the open position. This ensures that any water in the line drains off and it can’t freeze, expand, and break a line.
If you do land up with a broken water line you will want to shut off the main water valve immediately. After you have shut the water off you can do the repair yourself or call a repairman.
If you rent you should be aware that you can be held responsible for broken water pipes so be aware of your legal obligations and always call the property manager or landlord.
Your outside faucet is an integral part of your homes water system but because it is outside it can be easily forgotten when the whether turns cold. Always remember to remove all hoses and drain the tap before you shut the water off for the season.