Frozen outdoor faucets–also known as hose bibs– are more than inconvenient. They can cause leaking and broken pipes, water damage, and costly repairs. Whether you live where frost is rare or experience four months of winter, use one of these suggestions to prevent frozen pipes.
Always remove and drain hoses before winter. They are an accessory to frozen faucets and may crack and split if water freezes inside them.
Frost-cracked outdoor faucet.
Frost Free Hose Bib
Frost-free hose bibs–also called sillcocks, spigots, and house bibs–virtually eliminate frozen taps–even at temperatures down to 40 below zero. These faucets are available up to 24” long to pass through most wall thicknesses. The tap handle is situated on the outside of the house but the valve is at the opposite end inside the warm home. When the tap is turned off, any excess water drains out–leaving the pipe dry with no water to freeze.
Frost-free faucets cost less than $50.00 and can be installed on copper or Pex water lines–either as a DIY project or by a plumbing contractor.
Turn Off the Water
All exterior faucets should have a shut-off valve in the water line. Preventing a frozen tap is as simple as turning the water off inside the house and opening the exterior tap to drain any excess water. Some building codes require shut-off valves. If you don’t have one, it may be worth the cost to install one. Then it is just a matter of remembering to turn it off before freeze up.
Insulated Faucet Cover
Faucet covers are convenient protection against short light frosts. They fit over the faucet and secure tightly to the wall. The cover is easy to remove to access the tap. There are many cover designs including styrofoam and insulated cloth–most costing less than $10.00.
Faucet covers will not protect against frozen taps if outside temperatures remain below 28 degrees F for an extended period.
Use Heat Tape
Wrapping exposed water pipes and faucets with electrical heat tape keeps the pipe and water warm enough to prevent freezing. Self-regulating heat tapes are available for less than $50.00. The built-in thermostats turn on and off automatically at preset temperatures to conserve energy and keep the water running.
Install a Faucet Freeze Protector
Freeze Miser is a device attached to exterior faucets. When the temperature drops below 37 degrees F it automatically opens and allows small amounts of water to run out of the faucet. It continues to open and close as required to prevent a frozen hose bibb.
Leave the Tap Drip
Running water is less likely to freeze. Leaving the outside tap open slightly prevents water from freezing. Use this method to keep outdoor taps from freezing during short cold snaps. Leaving a tap drip for more than a couple of days in freezing weather may create an ice pyramid that blocks the tap.
It does not work with the hose attached. Water freezes in the hose and the ice eventually turns solid back into the tap, preventing water from dripping.
