To drain your outdoor faucet for winter, turn off the interior shut-off valve, detach any hoses, open the outside spigot to drain the line, and drain the interior bleeder port if applicable. Leave the outside spigot open slightly during the winter.
Draining the outside faucet is critical, because standing water between the inside shut-off valve and the outdoor faucet can freeze and break both the fixture and shut-off valve. Creating an air space within the short segment of pipe gives any residual water room to expand if it freezes.
Wrap them in a towel and a plastic bag along with duct tape. It may not be fancy, but it will help with the upcoming cold snap.
Head outside and remove any hoses or connections to your faucets (you can store them away in your garage or basement for the rest of the season). Turn the faucet on full blast and let it run until it trickles to a stop. This pushes out any excess water flow from the pipes, as well as other build-up throughout the pipe.
With freezing temperatures arriving it is important to shut down the outdoor taps. Failure to do so can cause serious water damage to your home. Once you are done using water outside the house, it is time to shut down the water to the outdoor taps and drain the lines.
When a cold snap hovers around or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple days in a row it's time to let at least one faucet drip. Pay close attention to water pipes that are in attics, garages, basements or crawl spaces because temperatures in these unheated interior spaces usually mimic outdoor temperatures.
The water in pipes won't instantly freeze at 32 degrees because the freezing process needs a certain amount of time to begin. At 32 degrees, it can take as much as a few days to freeze pipes at that constant temperature. It's very hard to get that cold for that long along the Gulf Coast.
Overflowing or pooling water around your drain can be a sign of a significant blockage that needs immediate attention.
Unless your house is on a combined drains system, it needs separate drain connections to collect wastewater and rainwater.
Covering your outdoor faucet works better than dripping in prolonged cold weather, preventing freezing and avoiding water waste. Hiring a local plumbing professional keeps your pipes safe by installing frost-free faucets and properly winterizing your outdoor plumbing system.
Winds can't lower the air temperature, but it speeds up heat loss. This means exposed pipes can freeze faster once the air temp drops to 32 degrees, so it's a good idea to wrap them if temperatures near freezing.
Winterizing your outdoor faucet (or hose bib) prevents water from freezing, expanding, and causing expensive pipe bursts. Follow these 3 to 4 quick steps before the freezing temperatures hit:
However, homes with well pumps with exposed pipes, water sprinkler systems, swimming pool supply lines, water pipes in unheated areas such as garages or attics, outdoor hose bibs or just poorly insulated walls may be susceptible to freezing pipes when temperatures drop below freezing at 32 degrees, if it stays that way ...
Disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets.
If you have a separate outdoor water shutoff valve, turn off water to outdoor faucets. After you turn off the water, open each outdoor spigot to drain the remaining water from the pipes.
People pour salt (often mixed with baking soda and vinegar) down their drains at night to act as a natural, non-toxic maintenance hack. Doing this at night allows the mixture to sit undisturbed for hours, helping to dissolve grease, scrub away soft pipe buildup, and neutralize foul odors.
In plumbing, the 135-degree rule is a building code guideline dictating that horizontal drain pipes and fixture "trap arms" cannot have a cumulative change in direction exceeding 135 degrees without a cleanout or vent. This prevents clogs by ensuring smooth waste flow and stops wastewater from siphoning the P-trap seal.
Items to Never Flush or Pour Down the Drain:
Pouring vinegar down your drain in October is a proactive maintenance hack to clear sludge, dissolve minor soap and grease buildup, and neutralize foul odors. It is recommended during the fall because people spend more time indoors cooking heavy, fat-laden meals that can easily cause winter plumbing backups.
Yes, you can do hydro jetting yourself, but only if you have the right equipment and experience. Homeowners often attach a "sewer jetter" hose kit to an existing gas pressure washer. However, professional-grade hydro jets are far more powerful. Incorrect use can permanently damage older plumbing pipes like cast iron or cause dangerous sewage blowbacks.
Yes, but only for minor, grease-based clogs (like slow kitchen sinks). Dawn works well as a degreaser, but it won't fix hair, mineral buildup, or solid blockages.
How quickly do pipes freeze? Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32F degrees and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase.
Protecting outside faucets from freezing involves shutting off the indoor water supply, draining the lines, and adding an insulated barrier. For most homeowners, picking up an inexpensive exterior hard-plastic or foam cover and securing it tightly against your house siding is the easiest and most effective winterization method.
Exposed pipes may freeze after a few hours in 20 degree temperatures, but it can take longer in 32 degrees or higher—sometimes around half a day. Interior pipes are less likely to freeze, but they're still susceptible if they're on an exterior wall and may freeze after 2 to 3 hours.