Even in sunny San Diego, homeowners shouldn’t overlook winterizing their plumbing—especially outdoor faucets. While the region is known for its mild winters, temperatures can still drop low enough to cause freezing in pipes and hose bibs, particularly in colder inland areas or during surprise cold snaps. A frozen outdoor faucet may not seem like a major concern, but it can lead to pipe bursts, water damage, and expensive repairs.
At Fox Plumbing, we’ve seen firsthand how an unprepared outdoor plumbing system can cost homeowners more than they expect. With over 40 years of experience serving San Diego residents, we’re sharing our step-by-step guide to help you properly winterize your outdoor faucets and avoid unnecessary damage.
Although frost is less frequent in coastal areas, parts of San Diego—like Poway, Ramona, Escondido, and other inland neighborhoods—can experience freezing temperatures. When water left inside exterior faucets freezes, it expands, creating pressure in the pipes. That pressure can crack the faucet, rupture your pipes, and result in water leaks that often go unnoticed until serious damage occurs.
Preventive maintenance is always more affordable and less stressful than emergency repairs. Winterizing your outdoor faucets is a small task that can save you time, water, and money in the long run.
If your home is equipped with a dedicated shutoff valve for outdoor spigots, locate and close it. This stops water from flowing into the exterior line and reduces the risk of freezing within the pipe. These valves are typically located inside your home—often in the basement, utility room, or near the main water line.
If your home does not have a shutoff valve, it’s still essential to follow the remaining steps to protect your faucets.
Always remove garden hoses, splitters, and other accessories from outdoor spigots. Leaving them attached traps water in the faucet and hose, increasing the chances of freezing and damaging the fixture. Once disconnected, drain the hose completely and store it in a dry place, such as a garage or shed.
After shutting off the water supply and removing hoses, open the outdoor faucet to let any remaining water drain out. If you have a bleeder cap near the shutoff valve inside your home, open it to release trapped water from the line.
Letting water sit in the line, even a small amount, leaves your pipes vulnerable to freezing during a cold snap.
Once the faucet is dry, install a foam faucet cover to insulate it from cold air. These inexpensive covers are available at most hardware stores and create a thermal barrier that helps prevent freezing. They’re easy to install and well worth the investment.
If you don’t have access to a store-bought cover, wrapping the faucet in an old towel and securing it with plastic wrap and tape can work as a temporary alternative.
If you’re dealing with older outdoor faucets, talk to a licensed plumber about upgrading to frost-free models. These modern fixtures are designed to prevent water from sitting close to the exterior wall, drastically reducing the chances of freezing.
Frost-free faucets are a smart long-term investment, especially if you live in one of the colder microclimates within San Diego County.
Ideally, you should begin winterizing outdoor faucets in late November or early December. However, if a cold front is forecast earlier in the season, it’s best to act quickly. Being proactive, rather than reactive, can prevent unexpected plumbing emergencies.
Even if you miss the ideal window, it’s never too late to protect your plumbing once you realize temperatures are dropping.
If you notice these signs, call a plumber immediately:
Frozen pipes can burst and cause extensive water damage behind walls or under your foundation, so it’s crucial to act fast.
While winterizing your outdoor faucets is something many homeowners can do themselves, some homes have complex plumbing setups or hidden shutoff valves that require professional expertise. A licensed plumber can inspect your system, ensure everything is properly drained, and even insulate exposed piping if needed.
At Fox Plumbing, we’ve been serving San Diego families and businesses for over four decades. Our licensed and uniformed plumbers are available for fast-response plumbing services, and we’re always just a phone call away—especially when you need urgent advice or help protecting your home.
