Should I Leave Outdoor Faucets Open in Winter?: 1 Minute to Protect Your Home This Winter

Leaving outdoor faucets open in winter is a common concern for homeowners, particularly in regions where freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst. The general advice from plumbing and home maintenance experts is: no, you should not leave outdoor faucets open during the winter. Instead, you should turn off the water supply to your outdoor faucets, drain any remaining water, and keep the valve closed to prevent water from freezing and causing damage.

By leaving a faucet open and allowing water to remain in the pipes, you increase the risk of any residual water freezing, expanding, and potentially causing the pipe to crack or burst. The solution is to locate the shutoff valve (usually inside your home), turn it off, then open the outdoor faucet to allow standing water to drain out. Once drained, close the faucet again. For added protection, consider installing insulated faucet covers.

As a designer, I also think about the consequences beyond plumbing. Water damage from burst pipes can severely impact your carefully curated interiors, potentially leading to expensive repairs or the replacement of irreplaceable finishes. Proactively addressing this small exterior detail safeguards the integrity of your home’s interior design as well as its functionality.

Tips 1:

Besides draining and closing outdoor faucets, make sure you detach and store garden hoses for the season. If possible, add insulation to any exposed pipes leading to outdoor spigots, and check your basement or crawl space for signs of drafts or leaks that could let in cold air and increase the risk of freezing.

FAQ

Q: Why shouldn’t I leave my outdoor faucets open during the winter?

A: Leaving them open leaves water in the pipes, which can freeze and cause the pipes to crack or burst.

Q: How do I winterize my outdoor faucets?

A: Shut off the water supply indoors, open the faucet to let remaining water drain, then close it tightly. Add insulated covers if possible.

Q: What if my house doesn’t have an indoor shutoff valve for outdoor faucets?

A: Consider updating your plumbing with a shutoff valve, or at the very least, insulate the outdoor faucet and exposed pipes to minimize freezing risk.

Q: Can I use anti-freeze or other solutions in my pipes?

A: Standard home plumbing should not use anti-freeze; simply make sure pipes are empty and insulated.

Q: Will water damage from burst outdoor pipes affect my interior design?

A: Absolutely. Damage can extend indoors, ruining finishes, floors, and more—costing time, money, and potentially impacting your home’s aesthetics.