How to Insulate Outdoor Faucets Before Salt Lake City’s First Frost Hits

Key takeaways for how to insulate outdoor faucets before Salt Lake City’s first frost hits:

• Salt Lake City’s weather can change quickly, with the first frost often arriving in early October. Properly winterizing your outdoor faucets and hose bibs is a crucial and simple step that can prevent a costly plumbing emergency.
• The most effective way to protect your outdoor plumbing is to completely drain the water from the lines. To do this, turn off the water supply inside the home, disconnect all hoses, and open the outside faucet to allow it to drain completely.
• If a pipe freezes and bursts, it can cause severe water damage to your home’s foundation and interior. A small amount of time spent preparing your outdoor plumbing in the fall can save you from an expensive and disruptive repair.

As the summer sun gives way to crisp autumn mornings, Salt Lake City homeowners know that a change is coming. Along the Wasatch Front, the weather can turn on a dime, and the first hard freeze can arrive sooner than you think—often in early October. While you might still be enjoying the last days of a warm fall, your home's outdoor plumbing is already at risk.

A frozen pipe is a major plumbing emergency, and a burst pipe can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage. Fortunately, preventing this disaster is a simple, inexpensive task. As trusted Salt Lake City plumbers, we want to help you protect your home this season. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly insulate your outdoor faucets and prepare your home for winter.

The Danger of a Frozen Pipe

When water freezes, it expands. If there is even a small amount of water left in a pipe—such as the line that leads to your outdoor faucet—it can create enough pressure to cause the pipe to burst. This often happens inside a wall, where you won't notice it until the ice melts and water begins to pour into your home. The resulting damage can affect drywall, insulation, flooring, and even your home's foundation. The cost of a repair and cleanup can be substantial.

Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing Your Outdoor Faucets

This is a simple DIY project that can save you a lot of money and stress. Here’s what you need to do:

• Step 1: Disconnect All Hoses: This is the most crucial step. Disconnect all garden hoses, sprinklers, and other attachments from your outdoor faucets. A connected hose can trap water in the pipe and prevent it from draining, even if you close the indoor shut-off valve.
• Step 2: Find the Indoor Shut-Off Valve: Most homes have an individual shut-off valve for each outdoor faucet. This valve is usually in the basement, crawl space, or utility room, on the interior wall where the outdoor faucet is. It may be a small handle, a wheel, or a lever. Turn this valve clockwise to shut off the water supply to the outdoor faucet.
• Step 3: Drain the Faucet: Once the water supply is off, go back outside and open the faucet. This will release any remaining water from the pipe and the faucet itself. Leave the faucet open for a minute or two to ensure it drains completely.
• Step 4: Insulate the Faucet: After you drain the faucet, you can add a layer of protection with an outdoor faucet cover or spigot insulator. These are inexpensive foam or hard-plastic covers that fit directly over the faucet and are widely available at local hardware stores.
• Step 5: Check Your Pipes: While you're in the basement or crawl space, check the pipes leading to the outdoor faucets. If any sections are exposed to cold air, consider wrapping them with foam pipe insulation. This helps prevent freezing in areas that may not have effective insulation.

What If My Faucet Is Freeze-Proof?

Some modern homes have "frost-proof" hose bibs. These faucets typically have a longer pipe that extends back into the heated portion of the home, with the shut-off valve on the warm side of the wall. This design prevents water from freezing in the exposed pipe.

However, even if you have a freeze-proof faucet, it's still essential to disconnect your garden hose. Leaving a hose attached can defeat the purpose of the frost-proof design by trapping water in the line, leaving it vulnerable to freezing and bursting.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While winterizing is a straightforward task, there are times when it's best to call a professional plumber. A plumber in Salt Lake City can help you with:

• Finding the shut-off valve: If you can't find your indoor shut-off valve or are unsure which one it is, a plumber can help you locate it and show you how to use it properly.
• Leaky faucets: If your outdoor faucet is leaking, it indicates a problem with the internal seals or a worn-out component. A repair is necessary before winter as a leak can cause a frozen pipe.
• Suspected damage: If you forgot to winterize your faucets and suspect you have a frozen or burst pipe, contact an emergency plumber immediately. Signs of a frozen pipe include no water coming from the faucet or a visible bulge in the pipe.

Taking a little time in the fall to prepare your outdoor plumbing is a small effort that yields a big reward. It’s an essential part of being a homeowner in Salt Lake City, and it can save you from a major plumbing disaster.

When you need an experienced plumbing technician, contact our Salt Lake City Roto-Rooter plumbers at 800-768-6911. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Learn more about our team and how we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Faucet Winterizing

When should I winterize my outdoor faucets?

You should winterize your outdoor faucets before the first hard freeze of the season. In Salt Lake City, this typically happens in early to mid-October, so it's a good idea to perform this task by the end of September.

Can I just leave the water trickling to prevent freezing?

No, this is a method homeowners sometimes use to prevent indoor pipes from freezing during a cold snap, but it’s not a solution for winterizing outdoor faucets. It’s not a reliable method, and it can waste a significant amount of water. The only proper way to prevent a frozen outdoor faucet is to shut off the water supply and drain the line completely.

What is the difference between an outdoor faucet and a hose bib?

People often use the terms interchangeably, but a hose bib is a type of outdoor faucet that connects to a garden hose. The winterizing steps apply to both.

What should I do if I already have a frozen pipe?

If you suspect you have a frozen pipe that hasn’t burst, you may be able to thaw it. Shut off the water supply to the pipe and use a hair dryer or heating pad to apply gentle heat. Never use an open flame. If you have a burst pipe, immediately shut off the main water supply to your home and contact an emergency plumber right away.