When cold weather arrives, many homeowners forget about one small but important task: disconnecting the garden hose from the hose bib (also called an outdoor faucet or spigot). It may seem minor, but leaving a hose connected during freezing temperatures can lead to serious plumbing problems and costly repairs. At Hudson Plumbing, we see this issue every winter, and it’s one of the easiest problems to prevent.
Here’s why disconnecting your hose bib is so important—and how it can save you time, money, and stress.
How Freezing Temperatures Damage Hose Bibs
When temperatures drop below freezing, any water left inside your hose or hose bib can freeze. Water expands when it freezes. That expansion puts pressure on your pipes and faucet.
If a hose is still attached, water can get trapped inside the hose bib and the pipe behind it. As the water freezes and expands, it can cause:
- Cracked pipes
- Split hose bibs
- Leaks inside your walls
- Water damage to floors, ceilings, and insulation
The worst part? You may not notice the damage right away. Many homeowners only discover the problem when they turn the water back on in spring and find water leaking inside the house.
Why Simply Turning Off the Faucet Isn’t Enough
Some people think turning off the outdoor faucet is enough to protect it. Unfortunately, that’s not always true.
If the hose is still connected, water can stay trapped in the faucet and pipe. Even if the faucet is turned off, that trapped water can freeze and cause damage. Disconnecting the hose allows any remaining water to drain out, reducing the risk of freezing.
The Benefits of Disconnecting Your Hose
Taking a few minutes to disconnect your hose can help you:
- Prevent frozen and burst pipes
- Avoid expensive plumbing repairs
- Protect your home from water damage
- Extend the life of your outdoor faucets
- Reduce the chance of emergency service calls in winter
It’s a simple step that can make a big difference.
Extra Steps for Cold Weather Protection
For even better protection, consider these tips:
- Drain the hose completely and store it indoors or in a shed.
- Shut off the indoor valve that supplies water to the outdoor faucet, if your home has one.
- Open the outdoor faucet after shutting off the indoor valve to let any leftover water drain out.
- Use insulated faucet covers for extra freeze protection.
If you have frost-free hose bibs, they are designed to resist freezing, but disconnecting the hose is still recommended. Even frost-free faucets can freeze if a hose is left attached.
Avoid Costly Winter Plumbing Problems
Every winter, Hudson Plumbing responds to calls for burst pipes and leaking hose bibs that could have been avoided. Disconnecting your hose is one of the easiest ways to protect your plumbing system during cold weather.
If you’re not sure whether your outdoor faucets are properly winterized or if you’ve had freezing issues in the past, a professional inspection can help. Catching small problems early can prevent major damage later.
Taking a few simple steps now can save you from big headaches when temperatures drop. Disconnect your hose, protect your hose bib, and keep your home safe all winter long.
