Raymond WhitneyWe are all aware that freezing temperatures and frost can harm outdoor faucets as well as pipes, and we ought to be sure to cover them in winter. But, do outdoor faucet covers actually function?
Outdoor faucet covers are constructed out of Styrofoam or similar materials that are very effective in stopping your outside faucet from being frozen down to just a couple of degrees below freezing. However, at temperatures that are below this, they might not perform as well.
Let’s take a look at the outdoor faucet cover in greater detail, taking into consideration whether they are effective or not, the best way you can use them, and whether we’ll need to purchase them or build them from scratch…
Do Outdoor Faucet or Spigot Covers Really Work?
In general, the outdoor faucet covers do quite well in their primary task of preventing water pipes and faucets from freezing during the winter months.
Since the faucet is exposed to the outside temperature this is a risky point within your water system therefore it must be shielded from cold.
But, they possess their own limitations. The standard faucet or spigot cover is an unassuming device that is typically constructed from Styrofoam Its purpose is to hold warm air in the weak point.
It’s great until temperatures reach freezing, but it’s not very efficient in the event that it dips just at least a couple of degrees below the freezing point.
If you’re in an area that doesn’t experience cold winters, a faucet cover will get you through winter. Are there any super-cold areas?
If your outdoor faucet is installed you’re likely to have an anti-fog design and you’re more likely to have an easily accessible sillcock valve (more on these later). Combining these two elements and an additional faucet cover can assist.
Be aware that even though preventing freezing pipes is the main function, it is also able to aid in other important ways. It helps to stop annoying winter chills from entering your home. It also keeps bugs out by preventing them from wriggling around your faucet.
Are you a parent of young children? Covers make using that thrilling faucet a lot more challenging.
It’s less likely that you’ll get soaked patio furniture, a large cost of water, or a soaked pet if your kids are unable to quickly turn off the hose.
In addition, if children turn the hose off and off, you’ll be left with no idea whether there’s water in it. this could cause shocking if you experience an ice build-up and your hose has been filled by the water…
Faucet covers are great for keeping your home safe from bugs, draughts as well as water bottles.
What’s The Best Type of Outdoor Faucet Cover?
There are two primary types of covers for faucets outdoors They are both affordable and simple to put in.
Both kinds are made to fit tight around the faucet’s base creating the appearance of a seal. If properly fitted both faucets will do the job perfectly.
There’s the insulated bag style of cover, commonly referred to as”a faucet sock. You can also get an extremely rigid cover made of thermal foam. It is a gasket that can be resealed on the outside.
The more soft “sock” variety is good for faucets that are an awkward fit or is in a tight space since it’s easier to slip onto. The more robust Styrofoam version can come with a plastic case, to safeguard the cover. This makes it an extremely tough kind of cover.
Easy Lawns reviewed three popular outdoor faucet covers for faucets. The three covers are all on Amazon and each is just under 10 dollars.
The two styrofoam designs are available in two packs which is a great bargain (keep one extra cover or share a pack with your friend). The most highly rated was the sock-style design which was praised by reviewers for the easy fit.
At What Temperature Should You Cover Outside Faucets or Spigots?
Make sure to cover your faucets prior to when the temperature drops below freezing. Ideally, you should pick a time between the time you’re done using your hose to be covered and the first snowfall. Include “covering the outdoor faucet” to your list of chores in the yard you complete before winter arrives.
Therefore, we’d recommend taking care of all those tasks that require the use of a hosepipe in the last week of fall. Clean the grill, barbecue, and patio furniture prior to placing them in the shed or garage.
Give the driveway and deck an excellent wash to keep them looking clean throughout winter. Clean the windows and perform the outdoor chores that require more than an ice bucket.
After these tasks are completed and done, you can turn off the water from your outside faucet till spring comes around.
It should be a part of your winter ritual no matter where you reside. If you’re in an area that seldom freezes, don’t get complacent. It’s a bigger shock to the system when you experience an abrupt cold snap and homes designed for warmer climates may not be so well-insulated.
In the spring, when the danger of frost has passed You can take off the covers and keep them in a safe place until late in the fall. If they are properly cleaned, dried, and stored throughout the year an old faucet cover will last through the winter. A good deal for just a couple of dollars.
How Do I Cover My Outdoor Faucet? (Step By Step)
Covering a faucet for outdoor use is a straightforward task. You’ll need fittings for faucets as well as pipes, as well as a basic understanding of the exterior pipe system. This is what you’ll need to be able to:
- If you have a hose connected to the faucet in your outdoor first, you must remove the hose. Take the hose off, and then keep it in storage for winter.
- There may be an ailcock valve that will shut off your water supply. If it is close the valve and flush the water out of the area.
- Cover the faucet using the faucet cover that slips on.
- Pipes that are exposed to the elements should be covered with insulation tubing to keep freezing. There are many people who make use of old towels to protect their pipes. Avoid them, since they absorb water, and so you’re wrapping ice around your pipes. It is essential to have a suitable cover that is insulated, which is readily available at stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.
Do I Have To Buy An Outdoor Faucet Cover or Can I Use a Homemade One?
We’re all for creating your own kit Here at Take A Yard. But, since commercial faucet covers cost a low, are relatively easy to install, and are expected to last for several winters We’d suggest purchasing one instead of creating your own.
The main risk with DIY cover is the possibility that materials and seals could keep water in, making the possibility of freezing water a lot more difficult. What if, however, you notice that it’s forecast to snow and you’re not able to visit Home Depot or wait for an Amazon delivery?
Here’s a quick YouTube video from Dave’s Homestead that shows how you can make your own faucet covering before it gets to the “big freeze”.
The video shows you how to create a simple faucet cover when you’re caught off guard due to the cold and don’t have the opportunity to purchase an industrially produced cover.
The method Dave employs is a stack of plastic bags made from a supermarket and placed in a faucet. Since insulation works in a way of trapping heat you can add a few bags each at a time and trap several different layers of air. You can secure them by wrapping your duck tape as far as it be.
Dave emphasizes that this method is intended for use in emergencies. “It ain’t pretty, and it doesn’t replace one of those styrofoam ones you buy for five or ten bucks”. However, it can work when you’re sucked in by sudden cold temperatures and need to come up with a new idea.
After that, head indoors to warm up and get yourself a good fitting covering (and pipe insulation to keep it in place).
We recommend having an extra faucet cover in place for winter, no matter where you are. Even if the faucet claims that it is “freeze-proof”, it will still require having a second cover.
Final Words
There are tasks to be completed during the season in and around the house depending on the weather and the temperature change. And covering your outdoor faucets must be one of those things that we add to our list.
It’s a good idea to keep a list of this every year – prior to when the temperature drops below freezing. Then you’ll be able to avoid lots of trouble.
There are a few faucets outside, and in one extremely cold winter, we left one in the open all winter, and the pipe and faucet froze for more than a month. The thing has not been the same since because I think the hose has been damaged beneath the ground. Learn and grow.
