It is Friday, it is cold, and Knoxville is getting close to freezing temperatures this weekend. So, here is your friendly reminder to take a quick walk around the outside of your house and disconnect any garden hoses that are still attached.
Seriously, it only takes a minute, but it could save you from a frozen pipe and a much bigger plumbing problem.
Should I disconnect my garden hose before a freeze?
Yes. You should disconnect your garden hose anytime temperatures are expected to reach freezing.
When a hose stays connected, water can remain trapped inside the hose and outdoor faucet. If that water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the faucet and the pipe behind it.
That pressure can cause the hose spigot or the water line inside your wall to crack. Sometimes homeowners do not realize anything is damaged until the temperature warms back up and the frozen pipe begins to leak.
Can a frost-free outdoor faucet still freeze?
Yes, a frost-free hose spigot can still freeze if a garden hose is left attached.
Frost-free faucets are designed to drain after you turn them off. When a hose is connected, it can prevent the water from draining properly. That leaves water sitting inside the faucet where it can freeze.
So, even if you have a frost-free spigot, go ahead and remove the hose.
How do I protect my outdoor faucets during cold weather?
Here is a quick cold-weather checklist for Knoxville homeowners:
Disconnect all garden hoses from the house.
Drain the water out of the hoses before storing them.
Check each outdoor faucet for leaks or drips.
Turn off the indoor shutoff valve for the outdoor faucet if your home has one.
Open the outdoor faucet briefly to release any water left in the line.
Add an insulated outdoor faucet cover for extra protection.
You can usually find inexpensive faucet covers at local hardware and home improvement stores. They are helpful, but they work best after the hose has been disconnected.
Do I need to cover my outdoor faucets in Knoxville, Tennessee?
It is a good idea, especially when temperatures are expected to remain near or below freezing for several hours.
Knoxville may not experience the same long winters as colder parts of the country, but we still get sudden freezes. Outdoor faucets, pipes in crawl spaces, and plumbing near exterior walls are especially vulnerable during a cold snap.
What if my outdoor faucet is leaking?
Try to have a leaking outdoor faucet repaired before freezing weather arrives.
A slow drip can create ice around the spigot, and it may mean the faucet is not shutting off correctly. If you cannot stop the leak or cannot locate the shutoff valve, call a licensed plumber before the temperature drops.
How can I tell if an outdoor faucet or pipe is frozen?
Common signs of a frozen outdoor faucet or water line include:
Little or no water coming from the faucet
Frost or ice around the hose spigot
A pipe that looks cracked or swollen
Water stains appearing on an interior wall or ceiling
The sound of water running inside the wall
If you suspect a pipe has frozen, turn off the main water supply and call a plumber. Do not use a torch or open flame to thaw it.
A one-minute job can prevent a big plumbing repair
Before you settle in for the weekend, take one minute to walk around your home and make sure those hoses are disconnected.
And yes, this is also your reminder to check the hose on the side of the house that everyone forgets about. We all have one.
If you find a leaking hose spigot, cannot locate your shutoff valve, or are worried that a pipe may already be frozen, Friendly Neighborhood Plumber is here to help.
We serve Knoxville, Farragut, Hardin Valley, Karns, Powell, Oak Ridge, Maryville, and surrounding East Tennessee communities.
Call Friendly Neighborhood Plumber at 865-443-7617 or visit 865FNP.com.
