How do I shut off my outdoor plumbing for winter?

To protect your outdoor faucet from freezing temperatures, you should shut it off and drain the line before the first hard frost, typically in late October or early November. Start by locating the interior shut-off valve inside your basement, crawl space, or utility room. Turn this valve off completely, then go outside and open the outdoor faucet to let any remaining water drain out. Leave the exterior faucet open throughout the winter to allow air in and prevent pressure buildup. If your faucet includes a small drainage cap near the shut-off valve, open that as well to remove trapped water from the interior pipe. We also recommend disconnecting and storing any garden hoses to prevent ice buildup inside the fixture. If your home does not have an interior shut-off, we can install one quickly and easily to make future winterizations simpler and more secure.