How to Winterize Outdoor Faucets
Baby, it’s cold outside — and your plumbing is about to feel it, leading to a last-minute call for water pipe repair. You might not know it for months then in spring you discover leaking or busted pipes and possible water damage you had no idea was happening.
Unfortunately, this is how many homeowners learn the hard way that winterizing outdoor plumbing is a must.
In this seasonal guide, we’ll walk you through how to winterize outdoor faucets, spigots, sprinkler systems, fountains, and more to avoid costly spring repairs.
In this guide we will cover:
Why Winterizing Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers Matters
We learned it in grade school, water expands when it freezes. That means if there’s any lingering water If there’s any in your outdoor faucets or sprinkler systems, it’s going to expand and possibly crack pipes, and rupture fittings when it freezes it can also damage rubber seals and warp washers which can lead to water damage too.
Being proactive is much less expensive than waiting to see if your outdoor faucets and water features can handle the cold. Sprinkler winterization and knowing how to winterize outdoor faucet fixtures are essential to protect your plumbing, prevent mold and leaks, and save you from major headaches when spring rolls around.
Step-by-Step to Winterize Outdoor Faucets
An easy-to-follow guide can help you get ahead of winter before it causes havoc.
- Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets using the indoor shut-off valve.
- Head outside and open the faucet fully to let any water drain out.
- Disconnect hoses and store them in a garage or basement.
- Install insulated faucet covers or foam sleeves to shield them from the cold.
These quick steps will give you a strong line of defense against outdoor water pipes freezing and bursting.
How to Winterize Sprinkler Systems
Lawn sprinkler heads are close to the surface so they don’t get a lot of insulation from the ground around them. They’re one of the most vulnerable spots for freezing water damage. Sprinkler systems can be one of the most expensive outdoor water systems to fix so let’s prepare them properly, in late fall, before the first expected freeze.
What about inside? Check out our 5 Important Winter Plumbing Tips
- Identify whether your system has a manual, automatic, or blow-out drain type.
- For manual drain systems, shut off the water and open all the drain valves until they empty.
- With automatic systems, confirm that valves activate and empty correctly.
- The blow-out method uses an air compressor to push out water from each zone — but use caution!
If you’ve never winterized your sprinkler system or are unfamiliar with the process we recommend contacting a professional plumber familiar with lawn sprinkler systems or a professional landscaper to winterize sprinkler system components safely.
How to Winterize Fountains and Drip Irrigation Lines
Outdoor water features, fountains and drip irrigation lines are also vulnerable during winter. Take protective steps by doing these steps in the fall:
- Drain all water features, and if you can, remove and store pumps indoors.
- For drip irrigation lines, shut off the water source and open end caps or valves to drain.
- Insulate or bury any exposed tubing to reduce exposure to freezing temperatures.
These steps can protect your garden features and landscaping from freeze damage when spring rolls around. It can also help insure your garden starts off at its best by protecting your drip irrigation system.
Winter can be hard on sewer lines too. Check out our blog about
scheduling a sewer line inspection before winter.
How Do I Unwinterize Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers in Spring?
Here’s a spring reactivation checklist:
- Close outdoor faucets before restoring water flow from the shut-off valve.
- Slowly turn the valve back on, and monitor for leaks or slow drips.
- Inspect your faucets, spigots, and sprinkler heads for cracks or rust.
- For sprinklers, test each zone to ensure heads are functioning and pressure is balanced.
This will confirm your irrigation system winterization had any failures before the water damage can get out of hand. If you’ve experienced any bursting pipes or failing systems a professional plumber such Blue Mills Plumbing can assist with repairs or inspections to get you ready for the season.
For Best Results Winterize Before the First Freeze Hits Kansas City
Winter can come fast and freezes can happen without warning.
Learning how to winterize outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems now means you can be prepared, once the leaves start to turn colors, to protect your outdoor water features, faucets and irrigation. You could also take advantage of professional help winterizing your outdoor plumbing! Call
Blue Mills Plumbing today and let us handle your winterization from start to finish.
