Winterize Outdoor Faucets
Close the inside valve, then leave the outside faucet open.
By Jonathan West · reviewed 2026-10-19 ·how we research these
To winterize outdoor faucets, disconnect every garden hose, close the interior shutoff valve that feeds the outside faucet if you have one, then leave the outside faucet open so expanding water has room to escape. Water expands as it freezes, and that expansion puts pressure on metal and plastic pipes until they break.
At DIY Repair Guide, we compiled the steps for standard faucets and frost-proof sillcocks before cold weather hits. A frozen pipe shows up as a trickle or no flow at all, while a burst pipe often reveals itself only when you turn the water back on in spring.
How to Winterize an Outdoor Faucet, Step by Step
These steps follow the American Red Cross guidance on preventing frozen pipes.
- Disconnect, drain and store all hoses, splitters, timers and anti-drip attachments. Take every one off the outside faucet. According to Oregon State University Extension, hoses can be stored outside if you hang them over a high point so gravity empties all water, but outdoor temperature swings age hose material faster. Draining keeps leftover water from splitting the hose when it freezes.
- Find and close the interior shutoff valve. Look for a valve on the line feeding the outside faucet, often in a basement or crawl space. If you find one, close it. If you find none, follow the faucet maker's instructions or ask a licensed plumber before you leave the faucet running or open.
- Open the outside faucet completely. With the interior shutoff valve closed, turn the outside handle to the open position so remaining water drains out and any water left in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
- Drain sprinkler and swimming pool lines. Empty swimming pool and outdoor sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer or installer directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed, because antifreeze is environmentally harmful and dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
- Add exterior insulation where appropriate. Consider specific products made to insulate water pipes, such as a pipe sleeve, or Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-listed heat tape or heat cable on exposed water pipes. Even a quarter inch of newspaper can provide protection in areas without frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
Insulated faucet covers add a layer of cold protection, but they do not replace draining the line and closing the interior shutoff valve.
Standard Faucet or Frost-Proof Sillcock
A standard outdoor faucet is highly susceptible to freezing because water remains trapped in the pipe between the valve and the exterior wall, even when turned off. When that trapped water freezes, it can crack the valve or the pipe.
To check which kind you have, remember that a frost-proof sillcock has a long stem or barrel running through the wall to a valve seat inside, and look for an interior valve on the line feeding the faucet, often in a basement or crawl space. If there is no interior valve, do not leave a live faucet running in winter.
According to the manufacturer guide from BW Valve, a frost-proof sillcock (also called a frost-free faucet) features an extra-long stem running through the exterior wall to a valve seat inside the heated interior of the home. Closing the handle shuts the water off inside the warm zone. The water left between the valve seat and the spout drains out through the spout by gravity.
Frost-proof sillcocks range from 4 to 24 inches in length to match the thickness of the exterior wall. A properly installed frost-proof sillcock has a slight downward slope toward the outside. A trickle of water running from the spout for several seconds after you shut the handle off is normal, as that is the self-draining design at work.
Leaving a garden hose connected to a frost-proof sillcock is, per the manufacturer, the single most common cause of failure. An attached hose traps water inside the barrel, keeping gravity from draining the pipe, and the trapped water can freeze and burst the faucet despite its frost-proof design.
Frozen or Burst: What Each Looks Like
Recognizing the symptoms of a frozen line versus a burst pipe helps narrow the possibilities.
| Symptom | Likely Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Trickle or no flow from outside spigot | Suspect a frozen pipe along an exterior run or foundation entry | Keep the faucet open and follow the thaw steps in the next section |
| No water flow at any indoor faucet | Possible frozen pipe near where the water service enters the foundation | Check there and at other faucets for frozen pipes, then follow the thaw steps |
| Water appears on the inside wall, basement ceiling or crawl space when the water goes back on | A split barrel or failed pipe may be leaking behind the wall | Close the interior shutoff valve and call a licensed plumber |
| Continuous drip from spout that cannot be stopped | Suspect a freeze-damaged valve or cracked pipe | Close the interior shutoff valve and call a licensed plumber |
Thaw a Frozen Faucet or Pipe Safely
To thaw a frozen pipe, follow the safe thawing guidelines published by the American Red Cross. Keep the faucet open while applying heat, because running water helps melt ice inside the pipe.
Apply heat to the frozen section using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater kept away from flammable materials, or towels soaked in hot water. Apply heat until full water pressure returns to the fixture.
Check every other faucet throughout the house once you identify a freeze. If one pipe freezes, other pipes running through cold areas may be frozen as well.
If the barrel has split or water is leaking and you have an interior shutoff valve, close it and call a licensed plumber.
If you cannot locate the frozen section, if the pipe is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the line, call a licensed plumber.
Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open-flame device to thaw frozen pipes.
Other Pipes That Freeze First
Pipes exposed to severe cold freeze most frequently, including outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines. Water supply lines located in unheated areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets also face high freeze risks, as do pipes running along exterior walls with little insulation.
Keep garage doors closed whenever water supply lines run through the garage. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors during severe cold spells so warmer room air circulates around exposed plumbing lines, and move harmful household cleaners out of reach of children.
When outside temperatures drop severely, let cold water drip from an indoor faucet served by exposed pipes, because running water helps prevent lines from freezing. Maintain your thermostat at the same temperature day and night, and if you leave home during cold weather, keep the heat on and set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Turning the Water Back On in Spring
A burst in a frost-proof sillcock may not leak while frozen solid or while the interior shutoff valve remains closed. The split in the barrel may hide behind the wall, meaning the leak can first appear when water pressure returns in the spring.
Inspect the system with two people when restoring water after winter. Close the outside faucet, then have one person slowly reopen the interior shutoff valve while a second person watches the inside wall and basement ceiling or crawl space. Shut the interior shutoff valve immediately at any sign of water, then call a licensed plumber.
Common questions
Do I need to shut off outdoor faucets for winter?
Yes, where you have an interior shutoff valve. Close it first, then open the outside faucet so remaining water can drain and expand without splitting the pipe.
Will an outdoor faucet freeze if the hose is still attached?
It can. A hose left attached keeps the sillcock from draining, and the trapped water can freeze and burst the faucet. Take off hoses, splitters and timers before the first freezing weather.
How can I tell if an outdoor faucet burst?
A burst barrel may not leak while frozen solid or while the supply is off, so the first sign is often water on the inside wall or in the basement or crawl space when the water goes back on. In spring, close the outside faucet, have someone slowly reopen the interior valve while another watches the inside wall and basement ceiling, shut the interior valve at any sign of water, and call a licensed plumber.
Can I thaw a frozen pipe with a hair dryer?
Yes, an electric hair dryer can be used to apply heat to a frozen pipe section. Keep the faucet open while heating the line so melting water can flow out. Never use an open flame, such as a blowtorch or propane heater, to thaw frozen plumbing.
Should I leave the outdoor faucet open in winter?
Yes, but only after the interior valve is closed. An open outdoor faucet then gives leftover water room to expand without breaking the pipe. If there is no interior valve, do not leave a live faucet running.
Do frost-free faucets need to be winterized?
Yes, in the sense that hoses, timers and splitters must come off so the faucet can drain out the spout. If an interior shutoff valve exists for that line, close it and open the outside faucet so remaining water can drain.