Do you have a frost-free lawn faucet? Even though they are designed to prevent freezing and bursting in cold temperatures, they can still be susceptible to damage if not used or maintained correctly.
Here’s how you can properly prepare and protect your outdoor faucets in the fall to avoid floods from frozen and split faucets in the spring:
- Proper Installation: Ensure that the frost-free faucet is installed with a slight downward pitch. This allows water to drain out of the stem when the faucet is shut off, preventing water from remaining in the pipe where it can freeze.
- Yearly Inspection: Inspect your outdoor faucets yearly, ideally before the onset of winter. Look for signs of wear, leaks, or damage. If any issues are detected, repairs or replacements should be done promptly.
- Disconnect Hoses in Winter: Make sure you disconnect garden hoses from your faucet before winter sets in. Water trapped in a hose can freeze back into the pipe, leading to potential splits and cracks.
- Use a Faucet Cover: We recommend using insulated faucet covers during the winter months. These covers provide additional protection against freezing temperatures. You can get these at any home hardware store.
- Shut-off Valve: Make sure you turn off your interior shut-off valve for your outdoor faucet. You should turn off your water supply and then open the faucet to drain any remaining water. This needs to be done before the first freeze.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of your frost-free lawn faucets freezing and splitting and prevent potential floods in the spring. Try putting the seasonal maintenance of your outdoor plumbing fixtures into your calendar so you don’t forget!
