Preparing for Winter: How to Properly Drain Outdoor Faucets

Winter is drawing closer: the air is cooling, frost is forming on the ground, and snow is already falling in some parts of Canada.

Temperatures will soon plummet and we will be in the thick of winter for at least five months. During this time, a lot of things will freeze. For many of us, we will need to plug in our vehicles and start them at least fifteen minutes before we intend to drive. 

Boats and campers will all be winterized, and the summer backyard toys and kids’ pools will be put away for another season.

While due diligence and care are taken for these tasks, there is one area that needs to be addressed that can spell disaster. Water can freeze in our outdoor plumbing, leading to burst pipes, cracked and damaged hoses, and damage to the home itself. 

By draining outdoor faucets for winter, you can prevent such issues and maintain a healthy plumbing system for the new season.

Why You Should Prepare Your Outdoor Faucets for Winter

Winter is cruel; it’s non-discriminatory and will happily freeze everything left out in the open.

This can be disastrous for people and animals, but it can also create havoc and destroy the metal plumbing in your outdoor plumbing. Therefore, it is vital to winterize these areas before the freezing temperatures arrive.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Water freezing and forming thick ice is great for the ice-fisherman in the family, but not so much for your pipes.

You may not be aware, but if a pipe is going to burst from freezing, it won’t happen where the water itself has turned to ice. It’s a common misconception that the breakpoint is the ice itself, but it’s actually caused by the buildup of water pressure behind the ice and in front of the closed valve.

As a result, the water damage happens further inside the walls and is not always visible from the outside. Additionally, the damage is worse and more costly since this occurs within the property.

Stopping your pipes from freezing will prevent damage to the plumbing system and your home.

Preserve Faucet Longevity

Your taps or faucets, including those outside, should last for a long time. There may be general wear and tear on the joints, which can easily be fixed or replaced, but the faucet itself should maintain its integrity.

The outdoor faucets may erode a bit faster over time as they are exposed to the elements, but with proper care, this demise can be held off. If you notice colour changes in the water or rust, then these problems should be fixed.

This could be due to faulty materials or construction, but whatever the reason, if it is not addressed before the winter, then you could face costly repairs. 

Avoid Water Damage

Unfortunately, water can seep in through the smallest gaps and cracks and fill spaces you didn’t even know were there. However, draining the outdoor faucets in the winter can be prevented.

Water damage is costly in two very different ways. Firstly, damage to the structure is caused by rotting wood, collapsing drywall, and stained ceiling tiles. During the severe cold, this damage is made worse by freezing and expanding water.

Secondly, there is the mould that thrives in wet conditions. It can go undetected for a long time, and its effects are usually experienced first. Mould grows at an alarming rate and spreads quickly. If you feel unwell, and this persists for long periods of time, then you should check for mould. It loves to hide in basements, under sinks, and in damp areas.

Faucet Restoration and Replacement

Preventing faucet damage caused by the freezing and thawing that happens repeatedly in the winter is a lot cheaper than trying to fix the harm caused in its wake.

Preventative measures will help to ensure the longevity of the faucets and pipes. However, a certain amount of restoration prior to the winter will also reduce issues in the coming months.

Modern homes often have frost-proof faucets, which is an incredible asset in the winter months. If you have an older style home, however, then investing in this upgrade is certainly worth it.

Winterizing Your Outdoor Faucets

Winterizing outdoor faucets may seem like a chore. However, if you don’t take the time and care to do so, you can face costly repercussions—and in the winter, we all like to avoid this. 

Turn Off the Water Supply

This step almost seems too simple: turn off the water supply. While this will prevent more water from entering the pipes leading to the outside, the first question to ask is, “Where is the shut-off valve?”

Our homes have many shut-off valves throughout. The one for the outside faucet is usually in the basement, on the same wall as the faucet itself. If you are unsure where the shut-off valves are located, call your local plumbing expert.

Drain the Faucets

Once the valve has been turned off, you should avoid leaving water in the pipes. This can encourage mould growth and increase the risk of the pipe bursting in the wall.

After turning off the valve, go back outside, turn on the tap, and let it run. Drain the outside tap until the water stops flowing. Then, leave the tap turned on to prevent condensation from building up and freezing.

Disconnect the Hoses

Garden hoses, sprinklers, and anything else attached to the faucet should be disconnected and drained. 

Once the water from the outside pipes has been drained, the hoses can be stored properly for the winter. Draining them prevents the remaining water from freezing and forming cracks in the hoses.

Install Frost-Free Covers

Newer homes may have frost-proof taps, but whether they do or don’t, investing in frost-free covers or bibs can help prevent frost and ice from forming on the exposed metal, and protect the plumbing from the winter elements. 

These barriers are inexpensive and worth the investment. By creating a barrier that the cold cannot penetrate, you can preserve your outdoor taps through the winter. 

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Exposed metal loves to attract frost and ice. Have you ever paid close attention to street signs in the winter and seen the permafrost buildup?

The same thing happens to your home plumbing. Exposed pipes will attract the frost and invite it to stay for a while. This exposure will lead to cracks and damage to the pipes, as most metals cannot withstand the intense drop in temperature. 

Make sure that they have the proper insulation, as this is key to keeping them warm in the winter months. Your local plumber can check and insulate the pipes that need it.

Seal Any Gaps or Cracks

Allowing warm air to flow through the house is one great way to ensure the heating circulates and prevents cold spots. With proper venting, this is advantageous to your home. 

However, the cold will fight to get in. Therefore, sealing or filling any gaps and cracks where you can feel the cold more than in other places will help to keep the winter cold, and the warm heat in. 

Use Heat Tape (Optional)

Heat tape is an interesting component that you can add to your plumbing to help warm exposed pipes. This product does exactly what it says: it’s a tape that heats up.

Designed to warm the pipes without making them hot, this tape helps to keep the heat in and prevent freezing. However, it does require a power source to warm up.

You simply wrap the tape around the pipes, as you would with regular plumbing tape, and then plug in the cables. This powers the tape and keeps it warm. You can find this item in most hardware stores; however, just know that it can be expensive.