Drain outdoor faucets

Shut off water supply to exterior faucets, drain the pipes, and protect the spigots from freezing temperatures to prevent burst pipes.

Why it matters#

Water expands by about 9% when it freezes—enough pressure to split copper pipes and crack faucet components. A burst pipe inside your wall can cause thousands of dollars in water damage before you even notice it. This 5-minute task can save you from a $2,000-$8,000 repair bill and the nightmare of basement flooding.

What you'll need#

Tools#

• Adjustable wrench (for stubborn valves)
• Bucket or towel

Materials#

• Insulated faucet cover ($3-10)

Steps#

1. Disconnect and Drain Garden Hoses#

Remove all hoses from outdoor faucets—this is critical. Even frost-free faucets will freeze if a hose prevents drainage. Stretch hoses out to drain completely, then coil and store them in a garage or shed. Don't forget to remove any sprayer nozzles, which can freeze and crack.

2. Locate the Interior Shut-Off Valve#

Find the shut-off valve inside your home that controls water flow to each outdoor faucet. It's typically in the basement or crawl space, on the wall directly behind the outdoor faucet location. It may be a round gate valve (turn clockwise until it stops) or a lever-style ball valve (turn perpendicular to the pipe).

3. Turn Off the Water Supply#

Close the interior shut-off valve completely. If it's a gate valve that's stiff, apply WD-40 and use an adjustable wrench—don't force it. For ball valves, a quarter turn should do it.

4. Open the Outdoor Faucet#

Go outside and turn the faucet handle to the "on" position. This allows any water remaining in the pipe section to drain out. Leave it open—this is important to allow air to flow and any remaining moisture to escape.

5. Open the Bleeder Valve (If Present)#

Return inside and look for a small bleeder cap on the shut-off valve. Place a bucket underneath, then unscrew it to drain water trapped between the shut-off and the outdoor faucet. Water may dribble out for a minute.

6. Install an Insulated Faucet Cover#

Place an insulated cover over the outdoor faucet—these foam or fabric covers create an air pocket that protects against freezing. Secure according to manufacturer instructions (usually a drawstring or hook). This provides extra protection even after draining.

7. Check for Frost-Free Faucets#

Frost-free faucets (also called sillcocks) have a long stem (6-12 inches) that locates the shut-off valve inside your heated wall. If you have these, you still MUST disconnect hoses, but you may not need to turn off interior valves. The faucet self-drains when properly installed—but using a cover adds insurance.

Pro tips#

• Do this before the first hard freeze of the season—don't wait for freezing rain or snow to remind you.
• If you forgot to winterize and freezing weather arrives, act immediately: shut off the water and open the faucet. Some protection is better than none.
• Consider upgrading to frost-free faucets ($50-150 installed)—they're self-draining and largely eliminate freeze worries, though you still must remove hoses.

Warnings#

• Never leave a hose connected to ANY outdoor faucet in winter—even frost-free models. Trapped water in the hose prevents drainage and causes the faucet to freeze and burst.
• If a faucet freezes despite precautions, never use a torch or open flame to thaw it. Use a hairdryer on low heat or wrap with warm towels.

When to call a pro#

Call a plumber if you can't locate your shut-off valve, if the valve is stuck or leaking, if you notice water damage around the interior pipe area, or if you want to upgrade from standard faucets to frost-free models. If a pipe has already frozen and burst, shut off your main water supply immediately and call an emergency plumber.