Why You Need to Detach Hoses From Outdoor Spigots in Winter

When winterizing your home, don’t forget to detach your garden hose from the spigot. This tiny action could save you from major damage and untold expenditures. While damage is not inevitable, there is a good chance that the water left in the spigot could freeze in the cold weather, leading to burst pipes and expensive repairs. It is a risk you don’t need to take, especially when something as simple as unscrewing your hose is the alternative. ​Ahead, professional plumbers and home maintenance experts explain why it’s so important to detach your hose from the outdoor spigot during winter so you can rest easy, knowing that you and your plumbing are safe.

When to Detach Your Hose

The best time to detach your hose from the spigot is before the first freeze. “Don’t wait for a hard freeze, don’t wait for snow,” says home maintenance expert Mark Carter. Water in outside hoses and faucets can freeze solid when exposed to as little as six hours of freezing temperatures. Your best bet is to disconnect and store your garden hose if the weather forecast predicts temperatures dipping below 32 degrees. In most of the country, that falls somewhere between late October and mid-November.

Risks of Forgetting to Disconnect Your Hose in Winter

Leaving a hose attached to an outdoor spigot traps water in the hose, spigot, and the pipe that runs into your house. “That water can’t drain out because the hose is blocking the exit,” says Carter. When temperatures drop below freezing, the trapped water turns to ice, expanding as it freezes and potentially causing the pipes running through your home to crack or burst.

Burst interior pipes can cause significant water damage in minutes. You could see water damage to drywall, insulation, flooring, and belongings, says Carter. Some of this damage may go undetected until the ice thaws in spring and water begins to leak. Mold growth can occur in walls and may not be discovered for months or longer. Additionally, the hose or spigot itself might crack, calling for replacement come spring.

Even if temperatures don’t drop below freezing, issues can still arise from leaving your hose attached during winter, such as a dripping spigot, a failed vacuum breaker, corrosion at the hose threads, or a leaking hose connection, says professional plumber Megan Doser.

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What to Do if Your Hose or Spigot Freezes

If you missed the window to disconnect the hose before a freeze and notice the hose or spigot is frozen, don’t panic. “If the hose coupling is frozen to the spigot, don’t yank on it or you’ll crack something,” Carter warns. Instead, follow these expert steps to de-thaw and disconnect the host from the spigot.

1. Wrap the spigot or nearby pipes with towels or rags.
2. Carefully pour hot, not boiling, water over the wrapped area.
3. Continue until water begins to flow.
4. Let the water run for two to three minutes.
5. Once thawed, remove the hose and let the spigot drain completely.
6. Close the interior shutoff, and turn the spigot on slightly so that any remaining water can expand outward instead of building pressure.

How to Prevent Frozen Outdoor Spigots

Disconnect all hoses before freezing weather to prevent frozen outdoor spigots. They should be drained and stored in a garage or shed.

​Adams also recommends turning the water off at the shutoff valve (located inside your home) that controls the water to that spigot. "Then, outside at the faucet, turn the water on. The water should run for a few seconds to a minute, depending on how much water is in the line, but eventually slow to a trickle," he says. Once the water stops, turn the outdoor spigot off and cover it with an insulated faucet cover, designed to protect outdoor spigots from freezing temperatures. This should be done whether or not you have a "frost-free" spigot.

If the water does not stop, this could be an indication that you turned the incorrect shutoff valve or that the shutoff valve is broken, which is a reason to contact a plumber.