When to do it
In Mississauga, the first hard frost usually arrives in late October or November. Do this before then, and certainly before a forecast of several nights below freezing.
Steps
- Disconnect the hose. A hose left attached traps water inside even a frost-free tap.
- Find the inside shut-off. It is usually on the pipe leading to the outside wall, in the basement ceiling or a utility room.
- Shut the indoor valve on that line.
- Open the tap outside so the pipe can empty.
- Open the bleeder cap on the inside valve, if it has one, with a small container below.
- Keep the outside tap open over winter so any remaining water can expand safely.
Frost-free taps
A frost-free hose bib closes its valve inside the heated wall. It still needs the hose disconnected, and it must slope downward so water drains out after use.
In spring
Shut the outside tap, ease the inside valve open and look for drips indoors. If water appears in the basement, the pipe split over winter; see outdoor hose bib repair. For more on cold-weather protection inside the home, read how to prevent frozen pipes. A spring check of the kitchen sink can also catch winter grease build-up; see kitchen drain cleaning.
Worth knowing
Answers our Mississauga crew gives most
Should I leave the outdoor tap open all winter?
Yes, once the inside valve is closed and the line drained.
Do I need to cover the tap?
An insulated cover helps but does not replace closing the inside valve.
What about irrigation systems?
They need to be blown out with compressed air, usually by an irrigation specialist.