The water inside the hose can rapidly freeze when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Burst outside spigots is a potentially expensive problem that is relatively easy to avoid.
Hoses can be stored outside as long as you make sure to drain all of the water from the hose. Hoses can be drained easily by running them over a tall place where gravity forces water to exit the hose. This ensures that the hose won't split when any residual water freezes.
With this in mind, expect most pipes to freeze within six to eight hours. Uninsulated exterior pipes can freeze in under six hours if the temperature is below 20 degrees. It takes at least 12 hours for unprotected pipes to freeze at 32 degrees.
Turn off the water supply to the outdoor faucets. Disconnect and drain any hoses or attachments. Install faucet covers or insulating sleeves to protect against freezing. Insulate any exposed pipes leading to the faucets.
Outdoor pipes and fixtures are vulnerable to freezing once outdoor temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so you should plan to winterize the hoses and hose bibs when the outdoor temperatures are consistently below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
A hose connected to an outside faucet is exposed to the elements. The water inside the hose can rapidly freeze when the temperature drops below 32 degrees.
While your pipes are typically safe from freezing until temperatures get closer to 20℉ and remain at those levels for 6+ hours, your garden hose can start to freeze in as little as 6 hours once it gets below freezing temperature outside (32℉).
Pipes can freeze whenever the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Insulated pipes are most likely to freeze at 20 degrees or colder. Drip or cover faucets when it's 28 degrees or colder for three or more hours.
Overall, it's best that you take heed and drip your faucets when temperatures dip below freezing. A simple trickle of hot and/or cold water—both from faucets inside and outside the home—can prevent you from having to deal with a much larger issue (and bill!) in the long run.
During Freezing Weather
If you are away for any length of time shutting off the water can reduce the chance of a broken pipe. Leave the home's heat on to at least 55°. Shut off water to the house and open all faucets to drain pipes; flush the toilets once to drain the tank but not the bowl.
The core mechanism that sets frost-free hose bibs apart is their elongated stem or shaft, which extends from the outdoor spigot into the interior of the home, where temperatures remain above freezing.
The Importance Of Winterizing Outdoor Faucets
Experts recommend insulating outdoor faucets to prevent damage to pipes from freezing temperatures. A burst spigot can lead to water flowing against the side of the house or even making its way inside.
For added protection and to completely winterize your outdoor faucet, place a cold-weather cover over the faucet and secure the hook or drawstring (depending on what type of cover you purchase). Make sure the spigot is completely covered. For added protection, ensure the cover is tightened securely.
Regular vs. frost-free faucet. The diagram below shows the difference between a regular outside faucet and a frost-free faucet. The main difference between the two is that the valve on the frost-free type is INSIDE the home where it's warm. There's no water near the faucet to freeze when it's shut off.
Your pipes are at risk of freezing any time temperatures drop below 32°F. However, it's much more common for pipes to freeze when temperatures dip below 20°F. The longer the weather remains below freezing, the more likely it is your pipes can freeze if not properly protected and winterized.
If you do not want to spend extra money on a high water bill, or you are able to isolate your exterior faucet from the mains water supply, then covering the faucet will likely be better for you. If you can drip your faucet, however, then it may be more effective in protecting your pipework from over-expansion.
So, exactly how cold does it need to be before you do this? Southern Living says professionals list the threshold temperature for pipes to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning this or anything below can create a potential for water to turn to ice in your pipes.
Exterior pipes should be wrapped with insulation tubing, which can be found at your local hardware store. Do not wrap your pipes with bath towels or newspaper! These coverings hold moisture like a wet rag and defeat the purpose of covering your pipes in the first place.
Freeze Miser protectors helped us do much during the last big freeze and kept our water troughs going for the cows. This customer chose to rate the product and not provide text. The freeze misers worked as advertised, keeping my outside hose bibs from freezing during extended temperatures well below freezing.
You need just a trickle of water to drip so that water is moving through the pipes consistently. How long do I run the water? Let the faucet drip until temperatures are consistently above freezing to be on the safe side.
A frozen outside water spigot can cause serious water damage inside your home. When a faucet freezes, it creates tremendous pressure that can damage spigot components and rupture pipes. Pipes behind the outdoor spigot are part of the network that supplies the rest of the house.
Most hydraulic hoses operate safely within a temperature range of -40°F (-40°C) to +212°F (+100°C), with specialty hoses extending this range to -40°F (-40°C) to +300°F (+149°C). Exceeding these limits can significantly shorten hose lifespan.
After shutting off the water, open each outdoor faucet to let any remaining water flow out. This step is important to reduce pressure on the pipes, which can prevent them from bursting in cold weather. Keeping your home's indoor temperature above freezing also helps maintain your plumbing system's integrity.