Water hoses left outside during cold weather are highly susceptible to freezing, which can cause significant damage to the hose material and surrounding plumbing. Water expands by about nine percent when it turns to ice, creating immense pressure within the hose. This force can lead to the hose cracking or bursting, and it can transfer pressure back into the connected outdoor faucet or spigot, causing it to fail. Proactive measures before sustained freezing temperatures arrive are the most effective way to prevent these costly issues.
Preparation Before Winter Arrives
The most effective strategy for preventing freeze damage is to completely remove the hose from the water supply before freezing weather arrives. This eliminates the possibility of water being trapped inside the hose or backing up into the spigot’s internal plumbing. Leaving a hose connected, even to a “frost-free” spigot, can prevent the spigot from draining correctly, rendering its anti-freeze design useless.
Once disconnected, the hose must be thoroughly drained of all residual water using gravity. Hold one end of the hose high above your head and walk the length of the hose, allowing the water to flow out the lower end completely. Removing all attached nozzles or sprayers is also important, as these accessories can trap pockets of water.
The emptied hose should then be coiled loosely to avoid kinking and moved to a storage location that remains above the freezing point. A heated basement, an insulated garage, or a utility closet are suitable options to keep the hose material pliable and protected from extreme cold.
A final preventative measure involves preparing the outdoor spigot by shutting off the water supply from an interior valve, typically found in a basement or crawlspace. After the internal water is shut off, open the outdoor faucet to allow any standing water to drain out. This ensures no water remains in the pipe to freeze and cause a burst pipe inside the wall.
Short-Term Strategies for Cold Weather Use
When the temperature drops but the hose is still needed for occasional use, the main focus shifts to immediate post-use action. The most important rule for using a hose in cold weather is to drain it completely and immediately after every single use. Even a few hours of exposure to temperatures below 32°F (0°C) can cause water to freeze within the hose material.
This rapid draining must involve removing any attached nozzle, as the internal mechanisms are prone to trapping small amounts of water. When water is trapped, it forms an ice plug that prevents the rest of the hose from draining. After draining, the hose should ideally be brought indoors or stored in a sheltered location, even if only temporarily.
For temporary protection when the hose must remain outside, wrapping it with insulation like foam pipe covers or specialized heat tape can help prevent freezing. These wraps work to slow the transfer of heat away from the hose, providing a buffer against brief temperature dips.
Alternatively, if the hose must remain connected during mild freezes, a specialized drip device known as a “Freeze Miser” can be attached to the faucet. This device automatically allows a controlled, minimal drip of water once the temperature inside the hose drops below 37°F, preventing the water from becoming stagnant and freezing solid.
How to Thaw a Frozen Hose
If a hose is discovered to be frozen, the first step is to disconnect it from the spigot, if possible, to protect the plumbing system from damage. A frozen hose will feel stiff and hard, and walking the length of it, feeling for unyielding sections, will pinpoint the location of the ice blockage.
The thawing process must be gentle, as applying sudden heat can damage the hose material, causing it to warp or crack. Safe methods include moving the hose into a warm environment, such as a bathtub or a sunny spot on a warm floor, and allowing it to thaw naturally. If a faster solution is needed, a towel soaked in warm, not boiling, water can be wrapped around the frozen section.
A hairdryer set to a low-heat setting can also be used, slowly moving the stream of warm air back and forth along the rigid section. Never use high-heat sources like boiling water, a blowtorch, or an open flame, as the localized heat can melt the hose’s plastic or rubber composition.
Once thawed, completely drain the hose and inspect the entire length for visible cracks or bulges before reconnecting it for use.