How do I winterize my outdoor faucets?

Shut off the water supply to your outdoor faucets from inside your home and drain all remaining water to prevent freeze damage. This simple process can save you hundreds of dollars in burst pipe repairs during Ottawa's harsh winters.

Start by locating the shut-off valve for each outdoor faucet inside your basement or crawl space. Turn these valves clockwise to close them completely. Next, go outside and open each outdoor faucet to drain any remaining water from the pipes. Leave the outdoor faucets open throughout winter - this allows any small amount of water that might remain to expand without bursting the pipe.

For frost-free hose bibs (the newer style with long stems that extend into your heated basement), you'll still want to disconnect and drain garden hoses, but these faucets are designed to drain automatically when turned off. However, if a hose is left connected, water can back up and freeze in the valve body, causing expensive damage.

Ottawa's climate makes winterization critical - temperatures regularly drop below -20°C, and even a small amount of water left in pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Many Ottawa homeowners also install insulated faucet covers as an extra layer of protection, especially for older-style faucets that don't have frost-free features.

Remove and store garden hoses in a heated area like your garage or basement. Drain them completely and coil them loosely to prevent cracking. If you have an irrigation system, it should be professionally blown out with compressed air - this isn't a DIY job as improper technique can damage sprinkler heads and underground pipes.

Check your work before the first hard freeze by ensuring all outdoor faucets drip-free when closed and that shut-off valves inside are fully closed. If you discover leaks or have older plumbing that's difficult to winterize properly, addressing these issues now prevents emergency calls during Ottawa's coldest months.

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