<h1 class="subject">How should I winterize my outdoor faucets?</h1>

I am winterizing my outdoor water faucets. Each faucet has its own valve located in the garage. Is simply turning this valve off enough to keep my faucets from freezing this winter or should I attach an insulator?

It's pretty much that easy. Simply shut off the water at the valve and open the outside faucet. That'll do it.

When yuo open the outside valve, most of the water will drain out. The little remaining water will freeze, but since the valve is open, it can expand without causing damage.

I wouldn't worry about it if you don't have indoor valves to turn them off. Your house has probably been that way for years without a problem.

They make little styrafoam things that attach with a rubber band. They are shaped like hard hats. You might try one of those.

In the part of the country where I live it gets down to zero a couple of times a year and I've never had faucet damage from doing nothing. If you are way up north, there may be other precautions to take.

You can get the foam insulation real cheap..its shaped like the pipes / you just slit it and fit it around the pipes. Why take chances? Outdoor faucets you can put a foam cap on. I wrap mine in plastic bags and then duct tape over it all for extra protection.

If you garage is heated then just shut off the valves in your garage and leave the facets outside open all winter.

drain all water from pipes that feed faucets , usually from basement