The Cool Down
Homeowner shares crucial tip to avoid costly repairs this winter: 'I need these…
Leaving your outdoor faucet exposed to a hard freeze? Yeah, that's asking for trouble. Here's how to quickly winterize it.
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Prevent Costly Winter Damage: Essential Steps to Protect Outdoor Spigots
Homeowners Urged to Winterize Outdoor Spigots to Prevent Costly Damage. As colder temperatures approach across the United States, homeowners are strongly advised to take proactive and timely steps to winterize their outdoor spigots and garden hoses. Failure to properly prepare these exterior plumbing fixtures can lead to significant property damage, including burst pipes, which often result in expensive repairs, extensive water damage to foundations and interiors, and considerable inconvenience. Keishon, a knowledgeable home maintenance expert from the popular platform Weekly Home Check, recently highlighted the critical importance of this annual task in a public service reminder aimed at property owners. "If you don't drain your spigots for winter, you risk the possibility of bursting your pipes," Keishon stated, emphasizing the severe consequences of neglecting this simple precaution. He proceeded to outline a straightforward, four-step process designed to ensure outdoor plumbing is adequately protected against freezing. First, homeowners should immediately disconnect all garden hoses from their outdoor faucets. These hoses must then be thoroughly drained of any remaining water and stored indoors in a protected environment, such as a basement or garage, to prevent them from freezing, cracking, and becoming unusable. Second, it is crucial to locate the specific indoor water shut-off valve that controls the water supply to the outdoor spigot. This valve must be completely turned off to prevent any water from flowing to the exterior line during the freezing months. Third, after the indoor valve is closed, homeowners should open the outdoor spigot to allow any residual water trapped in the pipe to fully drain out. This step is absolutely vital for preventing water from freezing and expanding within the pipe, which is the primary cause of bursts. Finally, for an enhanced layer of protection against extreme cold, Keishon recommends considering the purchase and installation of an insulating cover over the spigot. These simple, yet crucial, measures can collectively prevent water from freezing inside the pipes, thereby averting potential structural damage and significant financial setbacks for property owners throughout the winter season.
