Covering outside faucets is one of many ways homeowners can prepare for extreme weather. Since faucets for hoses and sprinkler systems aren’t insulated, they are vulnerable to damage from freezing temperatures.
Rather than risk spending a fortune on replacing or repairing burst pipes, it’s best to learn about your options for protecting faucets.
Here are some of the key things to know about outdoor faucets and how to winterize them:
How do faucet covers work?
Faucets covers are commonly made of solid thermal foam or flexible vinyl gaskets. Some covers are similar to flexible packs and made from softer materials. Both are effective for protecting your faucets and pipes in freezing weather.
DIY faucet covers
If you don’t want to buy faucet covers, you can DIY one with some simple household materials. All you need is:
- Plastic bags.
- Cloth rags or old t-shirts.
- Packing tape or duct tape.
To set up your DIY faucet cover, simply wrap the faucet in multiple layers of cloth. Cover the fabric insulation with the plastic bag and secure it with tape.
Materials for insulating outdoor faucets
Because it’s an affordable and efficient insulator, Styrofoam is the most popular material for hard outdoor faucet covers. Its tiny air bubbles act as a barrier to trap warm air inside and prevent cold weather from freezing the pipes.
Soft faucet covers are made with a variety of materials, including layered silk or cotton. The outside is treated with a waterproof seal to improve insulation and prevent mildew.
The more you know about protecting your outdoor faucets in winter, the better prepared you’ll be when cold weather comes around. Keep this basic info about outdoor faucet covers in mind when deciding the best option for your home.
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