Now that it is that cold time of year here in Maryland if you haven’t already, now is the time to wind up the garden hose and store it away until the spring. Hopefully, you haven’t had to but if you’ve ever dealt with a frozen or burst pipe, then you already might understand how important it is to turn off your outdoor water supply correctly. Failing to properly drain and shut off your outdoor hose bibs can lead to water left in the supply line, which can freeze, expand, and potentially split your pipes. With our friends at Five Star Plumbing, a plumbing company in Harford County, we will walk you through the steps of how to winterize your hose bibs.
1.) Locate Your Shut-Off Valve:
Your hose bibs shut off valve will be inside your home, possibly in the basement, crawl space, or even utility room.
2.) Shut Off the Indoor Valve (s):
If you have more than one hose bib, each will have to have its own valve that needs to be shut off.
3.) Detach Your Hoses:
You’ll need to detach your hoses from the spigots, making sure to drain them down before placing them in storage.
4.) Store Your Hoses Indoors:
Keeping your hoses in a heated garage or basement will protect them from any possible damage caused by the freezing temperatures outside and ensure they remain in good condition.
5.) Leave Faucets Open for the Winter:
Once you’ve removed the garden hoses, turn any outdoor faucets to the “on” position, leaving them open for the winter.
You’re All Set!
Once you’ve done these few steps you are all set, and you can rest easy knowing that your hose bibs will be in good shape in the spring. Winterizing your hose bibs will save you the hassle and expense of dealing with frozen or busted pipes.
Need help from a plumbing company in Harford County?
Are you looking for expert plumbing service? Contact Five Star Plumbing today. Five Star Plumbing Services is locally owned and operated, and we’ve been in business since 1991. Why does that matter? Because it means owner and master plumber Chris Larichiuta and his team are local plumbers who Harford County and Baltimore County homeowners and business owners trust to get the job done right, at affordable pricing.