Winterizing your outdoor plumbing is incredibly important. It might seem like a chore, but it can prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting (an emergency plumbing situation that can have costly and damaging effects). At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Charlotte, our Charlotte plumbers walk you through the steps of winterizing your outdoor spigots to ensure they are protected when the temperature drops.
/NEI Global/Sites/NEST/Mr Rooter/US/EN-US/Locals/NC/Charlotte/Pages/Services/Residential/indexIf your pipes are already frozen, call our team or request an estimate online to solve your residential or commercial plumbing issue ASAP.Steps to Winterize Your Outdoor Spigots
Step 1: Disconnect your hoses
Before winter sets in you want to remove all hoses, splitters, or other fittings. Even if you have a freeze-proof spigot type, you should remove any add-on features to eliminate the risk of water getting trapped and freezing your spigot. You should pre-emptively do this step and not wait until the very last second before the freezing occurs.
Step 2: Inspect your faucets for leaks
Check all your spigots and faucets for leaks or drips. Dripping can indicate a leaky cartridge or washer, which can freeze and block up a spigot or pipe. If you find any, replace the fixture before the temperature drops.
Step 3: Drain your spigots and pipes
You want to get as much water out of your pipes as possible. The best way to do this is to shut off your interior shut-off valve leading to your outdoor spigots and then open those spigots to let the water drain out of them. You should leave the spigots open for a few hours.
If you do not have an indoor shut-off valve, this step is even more necessary to insulate the spigot from the outdoors.
Step 4: Add outdoor faucet covers
The last step to winterizing your outdoor spigots is to install covers over them to insulate and protect them. Even if you have frost-free spigots, you should invest in faucet covers. You can find square or dome-shaped covers that are padded with thick fabric to keep your spigot insulated through freezing temperatures.
If you are having trouble winterizing your outdoor plumbing, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Charlotte for help. Our professional Charlotte plumbers can assist and make sure your pipes are protected this winter.
Want to read more? Check out our other winter blogs:
Last Updated: 3/11/21
About the Author: William Iliev, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Charlotte
William has been a trusted plumber and owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Charlotte since 2003. With over 15 years to back him, William has experience with a wide range of plumbing-related solutions and systems. He and his team specialize in water heater services, tree root plumbing repairs, and more.
