The best way to protect outdoor faucets from freezing is to disconnect hoses, drain the fixture, and insulate it before the first freeze of the season. North Texas homeowners should also shut off and drain the irrigation backflow preventer, which sits above ground and is one of the most exposed fixtures.
According to the National Weather Service Fort Worth office, the average first freeze in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is November 22. Freezes have arrived as early as late October, most recently in 2019, so preparing in October leaves time to act before cold weather sets in.
Key Takeaways
- A hose left connected can trap water inside a frost-free hose bibb and split it inside the wall, even though the faucet looks fine outside.
- Irrigation backflow preventers: These brass assemblies protect the drinking water supply. Most sit above ground near the house, fully exposed to wind and cold.
- A cracked outdoor faucet may not leak until it is turned on again, which can send water into a wall cavity unnoticed.
- Water inside a wall near an outdoor faucet calls for prompt drying to limit damage to drywall, insulation, and framing.
Which Outdoor Fixtures Freeze First?
Fixtures that hold water with little or no insulation freeze first. Around most homes, those include:
- Hose bibbs (outdoor faucets): Standard hose bibbs hold water right at the exterior wall. Frost-free models place the shutoff valve several inches inside the wall, but they only drain properly when nothing is attached.
- Irrigation backflow preventers: These brass assemblies protect the drinking water supply and usually sit above ground near the house, fully exposed to wind and cold.
- Exposed irrigation piping and valves: Any above-ground section of sprinkler piping, including risers near the backflow preventer, is vulnerable.
- Garden hoses and spray nozzles: A hose full of water can freeze, crack, and push pressure back toward the faucet.
Wind makes the risk worse. Strong cold fronts can bring gusty north winds, which pull heat away from exposed fixtures faster than still air. Irrigation parts deserve extra attention, because sprinkler leaks can cause hidden water damage that goes unnoticed for weeks.
How to Protect Outdoor Faucets from Freezing: Step by Step
Most of this work takes less than an hour and can be done well before cold weather arrives.
- Disconnect every hose. Remove hoses, splitters, and timers from each faucet. Drain the hoses and store them in a garage or shed.
- Find out which type of faucet you have. A standard hose bibb has its valve at the exterior wall and usually has a separate shutoff valve inside the home. A frost-free hose bibb has a long body that extends through the wall, placing the valve several inches inside the heated space. If you are not sure, check the home’s plumbing records or ask a licensed plumber.
- Drain the faucet the right way for its type.
- Standard hose bibb: Close the interior shutoff valve, then open the outdoor faucet to let the remaining water drain out. Leave the outdoor faucet open until spring so any water left inside has room to expand.
- Frost-free hose bibb: With the hose removed, close the faucet. It is designed to drain on its own when closed, so leave it closed through the winter. A short trickle from the spout just after closing is normal while it empties.
- Check for drips. On a standard faucet, dripping after the interior valve is closed may point to a worn shutoff valve. On a frost-free faucet, a drip that continues well after the faucet is closed may mean a worn washer or seat. Have a licensed plumber look at either one before freezing weather.
- Install an insulated faucet cover. Foam or insulated fabric covers are sold at most hardware stores. Make sure the cover seals tightly against the wall.
- Seal gaps around the pipe. Caulk or foam gaps where the faucet passes through the exterior wall so cold air cannot reach the pipe inside.
If you are not sure whether a faucet is frost-free, look for a long stem behind the handle or check the home’s plumbing records. Either way, removing the hose is the step that matters most. A faucet that drips or leaks at the base of an exterior wall can also let water collect along the foundation, one of several causes of foundation-related water damage.
How to Prepare an Irrigation Backflow Preventer and Sprinkler System
An irrigation backflow preventer holds water in its body and test cocks. A hard freeze can crack the brass or damage internal parts. Preparation usually follows these steps:
- Turn off the controller or set it to its off or rain mode so the system does not run during freezing weather. Water sprayed on sidewalks and driveways can also create ice hazards.
- Close the irrigation shutoff valve that feeds the backflow preventer. Its location varies by property.
- Drain the assembly. Many backflow preventers can be drained by opening the test cocks and setting the ball valve handles partway open. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model.
- Insulate the assembly with a fitted insulated cover or backflow bag, keeping any vents clear.
- Test the freeze sensor, if your system has one, so it stops watering when temperatures drop.
If you are unsure how your system is set up, a licensed irrigator can shut down and drain it correctly. Damage to a backflow can mean replacing the assembly. A cracked fitting that leaks when the system restarts can also send water toward the foundation. The result is similar to poor drainage around McKinney homes.
How a Split Hose Bibb Can Leak into a Wall Cavity
A frozen outdoor faucet does not always leak right away. When water freezes inside a frost-free hose bibb, the pipe can split inside the wall, where the valve sits. Nothing may happen until the faucet is turned on again, sometimes weeks later.
When that happens, water flows through the crack and into the wall cavity instead of out of the spout. It can soak insulation, wet the bottom of the drywall, and reach baseboards or flooring on the other side of the wall. Because the leak runs only while the faucet is open, it is easy to miss.
Watch for these signs after a freeze or the first time you use an outdoor faucet in spring:
- Low water pressure at the spout
- Water on the ground or foundation below the faucet when it runs
- Damp drywall, bubbling paint, or a stained baseboard on the inside wall
- A musty odor in the room behind the faucet
- An unexplained increase in your water bill
For more on what freezing weather can do inside walls, read about water damage in walls after a winter freeze.
When Is It Time to Call a Professional?
Call a licensed plumber to repair or replace a cracked faucet or backflow preventer. Call a water damage professional when water has reached the inside of your home, especially inside a wall where you cannot see how far it has spread. Wet insulation and framing can hold moisture long after the surface looks dry, which is why uncovering hidden water damage early matters.
Get Help with Hidden Water Damage from a Frozen Outdoor Faucet
Even after you take steps to protect outdoor faucets from freezing, a fixture can still crack. PuroClean of North McKinney helps homeowners find and dry water damage caused by frozen or split outdoor fixtures.
The team uses water leak detection to locate moisture inside walls, then dries affected materials with air movers and dehumidifiers while monitoring moisture levels. If you notice signs of a leak behind an outdoor faucet, call PuroClean of North McKinney at (945) 234-4566 to schedule an inspection, or learn more about our water damage restoration services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets Freeze-Proof?
No. A frost-free hose bibb can still split if a hose is left attached, so remove the hose before a freeze.
Should I Drip My Outdoor Faucets during a Freeze?
Dripping is often recommended for indoor faucets on exterior walls. For outdoor faucets, draining and insulating the fixture is usually more reliable, because a small stream can still freeze at the spout in strong wind.
Do I Need to Winterize My Sprinkler System in North Texas?
Yes, at least the parts above ground. In North Texas, the irrigation backflow preventer and any exposed piping near the house should be shut off, drained, and insulated before a hard freeze. The National Weather Service Fort Worth office, which covers Collin County, issues freeze warnings that make a useful last-call reminder. Whether buried lines need a full compressed-air blowout depends on how the system was installed, so ask a licensed irrigator.
How Do I Know if My Outdoor Faucet Froze and Cracked?
Turn it on and watch the spout and the wall around it. Weak flow, water around the foundation, or dampness on the inside wall are common signs. Turn the water off right away if you see any of them.
