How to Prepare an Outside Hose for Freezing Temperatures

In addition to causing icy sidewalks, winter's hazardous temperatures can cause pipes and faucets to freeze and burst. While you can repair frozen or burst pipes, it is expensive. Anyone can prevent hoses and outdoor faucets from freezing and bursting using materials available at hardware stores. By storing the hose in a warm area and insulating the outdoor faucets, you can protect pipes from the ice and cold.

Things You'll Need

• Hose reel cart
• Insulating faucet covers

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Unscrew the hose from the faucet and wrap it around a reel cart.

   • 2

     Store the hose on the reel cart in a garage or other insulated storage area with warmer temperatures.

   • 3

     Shut off the water valve to the outdoor faucet, if it is separate from the valve that provides water to the rest of the house.

   • 4

     Loosen the knob on the faucet just enough to let excess water drip out.

   • 5

     Cover the faucet with an insulating faucet cover, following the directions on the package.