The holidays are almost upon us. Leaves are changing colors and falling; soon, we can anticipate snow covering the bare branches they have left behind. People are breaking out their sweaters, and pumpkin-spiced everything is literally everywhere you look. While you are raking leaves, planning for Thanksgiving dinner, and prepping for the Christmas rush, what could you be forgetting?
Winterizing. In particular, winterizing your hose bibs.
Maybe in your neck of the woods, you call them sillcocks, outdoor faucets, or spigots. Regardless of what you call them, what you’ll be calling them next spring may include four-letter words and the term “leaky scrap metal” if you don’t act now. Failing to winterize hose bibs is the perfect recipe for ruining that Christmas party you’ve been looking forward to for weeks. The last things any of us need are frozen pipes and plumbing emergencies. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a victim of circumstance with these helpful tips from Heiland Home Services!
As the chill of winter approaches, it is crucial to ensure your home’s plumbing is prepared to withstand freezing temperatures. At Heiland Home Services, we specialize in winterizing outdoor faucets to protect your home from costly damages like frozen or burst pipes. Winterizing your outdoor hose bibbs is a preventative measure that saves you from potential headaches and expenses. Don’t wait for the first frost to think about your outdoor water systems; contact us today to secure your home’s plumbing for the winter months.
Freezing Temperatures and Outdoor Faucets
When outdoor temperatures fall below freezing, any water left in your outdoor faucet or garden hose can freeze and expand, causing both the faucet and the connecting pipes inside your home to crack or burst. This can lead to significant water damage and costly repairs. Proactively winterizing your outdoor faucets — removing garden hoses, draining water from the spigots, and using insulated covers — can prevent these issues and ensure your outdoor plumbing withstands winter temperatures. Remember, a little prevention goes a long way; contact Heiland Home Services to winterize your outdoor faucets and secure your home against the cold.
Steps to Winterizing Your Hose Bib
- Your first step is going to be to locate your home’s hose bibs. If you’ve lived in your home for any amount of time, you’re probably familiar with these locations, but it’s important to remember that each bib is a potential failure point, and each bib will most likely have its own shut-off to find as well. Locate the shut-off valve for each bib inside your house, often in the basement, crawl space, or utility room, and turn it clockwise to the full OFF position.
- Now that the water supply to the bib has been turned off, disconnect any attached hoses and leave the outside handle OPEN. This prevents winter pressure buildup caused by the freezing of any remaining liquid in the pipe.
- If your indoor shut-off has a drain, place a bucket or container under the valve and loosen the thumbscrew to allow the remaining water in the line to drain.
Believe it or not, that’s it—you’re done! Rest easy knowing you’ve taken the necessary steps to maintain your home’s outdoor bibs annually to avoid future disasters!
If you’ve noticed any damage, would like to discuss the possibility of upgrading old or worn-out bibs, or stumbled upon this blog entry in spring after it’s too late (Oops!), contact Heiland Home Services. “Bringing QUALITY back to the trades!”
Installing Faucet Covers
Installing faucet covers on your hose bibs before the cold temperatures hit is an effective and low-cost way to prevent potential freezing and subsequent damage to your outdoor plumbing. Faucet covers are designed to provide insulation for hose spigots, creating a barrier against the freezing air. These insulated covers are easy to install and can be found at any local hardware store. At Heiland Home Services, we recommend this simple step to all our clients, especially those who have experienced freezing issues in the past. It’s a quick solution that offers significant protection throughout the winter months, ensuring your outdoor faucets remain in good working order come spring.
Winterizing Your Garden Hoses
Another essential task to protect your home’s plumbing system is properly winterizing your garden hoses. It’s crucial to fully drain your hoses to remove any residual water that could freeze and expand, potentially causing the hose material to split or rupture. Once drained, it’s best to store your hoses indoors, such as in a garage or basement, to avoid any damage from cold temperatures. At Heiland Home Services, we advise taking the time to coil your hoses without kinks before storage, ensuring they remain kink-free and ready for use when the warmer weather returns. This helps maintain the longevity of your hose and ensures that your hose bib and hose spigots are safeguarded against the winter chill.
Do Frost-Free Hose Bibs Work?
Frost-free hose bibs are designed to reduce the risk of freezing water in the pipe, as their design allows water to drain out of the stem when the faucet is turned off. However, while frost-free hose bibs can provide an added layer of protection against freezing temperatures, they are not foolproof. It’s crucial that they are installed with a slight downward pitch, allowing water to drain completely. Additionally, even homes with frost-free hose bibs should still follow standard winterizing procedures to safeguard against freezing. This includes removing hoses and ensuring the area around the bibb is clear of residual water.
Contact Us for Winterizing and Plumbing Services in Hatfield, PA, and Nearby Areas
Winterizing your outdoor plumbing is an essential step in preparing your home for the cold months ahead. From standard hose bibs to frost-free models, every home has unique needs when it comes to protecting against the cold. At Heiland Home Services, we offer expert plumbing services and plumbing inspections so your outdoor water supply lines and all other aspects of your home’s plumbing system are winter-ready. Contact us today to schedule a service or inspection. Let’s ensure your outdoor spigots and all your plumbing installations are fortified to face the winter temperatures in Hatfield, PA, and surrounding areas. Don’t let the winter cold catch you off guard — prepare your home with Heiland Home Services.
