There are some things you can’t control or predict, but getting ahead of preventable home maintenance issues as the deep cold of winter arrives can save you from a massive headache down the line.
That’s why plumbing pros are urging you to disconnect your hose now to stop the spigot in your yard from freezing and the icy temperatures from cascading into pipes indoors and causing a burst there.
Why You Must Disconnect Hoses from Spigots Now
If you haven’t ticked this off your list yet, Kolby Barnes, Plumber and Training Director at Service Force Plumbing, says removing hoses from backyard spigot is the one thing to always do.
He explains, 'The vast majority of calls we get for frozen, burst pipes are due to hoses full of water being left connected to spigots.
‘If a spigot cannot drain, the water in it is vulnerable to freezing, and that freeze can move all the way up into your indoor pipe, burst the pipe inside the home, and cause major water damage.'
Experienced plumber Koldy warns that even if you have 'frost-proof' hose bibbs, if it can't drain properly, it's as vulnerable as a traditional spigot.
Outside faucets freezing in winter can come with their own challenges, but it's easily prevented if you act now.
Kolby adds, ‘We tell homeowners to remove their hoses from the spigots because that's an easy way to ensure that the danger is eliminated.’
It’s worth knowing that the problem isn't the hose itself, as an empty, drained hose is fine.
Kolby explains what to look out for, adding, ‘The problem is when the hose has a spray head or something else on the end that has locked the hose full of water, which means that the hose bibb is full of water. And when water freezes, it expands, sometimes with enough force to crack a pipe.’
How Frozen Outdoor Pipes Can Spread Problems Indoors
The problems won’t always be isolated to the outside of your home.
‘If the water in the spigot freezes,’ Kolby explains, ‘it can transfer that freezing to the water in the pipe connected to it, and the pipe material is much thinner than the spigot itself. So the weak point is the pipe, which is inside the home, where the damage will be much worse, and that's where the break and leak will likely happen.’
That’s why it’s so important to winterize your home inside and out, and be extra mindful of any hoses that are currently still attached. The last thing you want over the festive period is an avoidable leak inside the house, which can be tricky to track down, will likely mean a call to the pros, and will prove costly to repair.
The cost can rise exponentially if you end up with a slow leak that goes undetected for a while, leading to otherwise preventable mold and more extensive damage and repair work.
Homes are particularly prone to mold in the winter when there is less ventilation daily, higher humidity levels from drying laundry indoors and extra cooking or guests.
Watch out for key signs of a slow leak, including inexplicable low water pressure, wet patches on walls, warped flooring, or blooms of mold. If you spot condensation on an indoor pipe, this can be an early sign of a frozen pipe.
Spigot Misconceptions
Plumbing expert Kolby also has a warning about spigots touted as being frostproof. He says, ‘Even frostproof spigots will freeze if water can't drain from them.’
Below is a pipe from one of Kolby’s call-outs that burst despite being connected to a ‘frostproof’ hose bibb. He says, 'It was the pipe that burst, not the spigot itself.’
Kolby's photo shows the damage that can occur on a pipe when the hose is not disconnected from a spigot, even if the spigot is 'frost-proof'.
The good news is that a pipe that is empty of water is very unlikely to crack and burst in the cold. It's only if there is water inside the hose that the spread of freezing and bursting is likely, which is why it's so important to check and unclip yours.
To test if your outdoor tap has frozen, Kolby advises that if water will not come out of the fixtures connected to it, the problem is already underway and your home is at risk of a common leak.
If your spigot has frozen, do not pour boiling water down drains, pipes, or fixtures, as this sudden thermal shock will make it more likely to burst or crack them. Instead, slowly thaw pipes. Rushing it will worsen problems. If it's an indoor pipe, increase the room temperature by two degrees an hour until the pipe thaws.
Kolby also recommends using a heating cable, available on Amazon, as a preventative measure for those prone to icing up. He adds, ‘This electric heating wrap is handy if you have pipes that you cannot drain of water, but are at risk of freezing.'
What to Shop
Enjoy fuss-free installation and function with this Frost King kit. The plug has an indicator to let you know it's running, and temperature sensors switch it on and off as needed.
This self-regulating heat tape comes in 19 length options to help you protect every pipe in your home. It protects pipes in temperatures as low as -40°Fahrenheit.
Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, this foam insulation tape will keep your pipes warm and protected from frost in heated homes and outside.
This smart thermostat is compatible with most modern heating systems and makes controlling your heating from anywhere simple.
Don't forget to cover your faucets in winter, as this is a great preventative measure in preventing frozen waterlines. You will need to drip faucets first and disconnect hoses, still.
It takes mere seconds to install these simple foam pipe covers that do the job at minimal cost. If you had an old pool noodle floating around, that would work in a pinch, too.
There are extra measures you can take to get your home emergency ready, or prepare your home for a snowstorm or a big freeze.
