It’s that time of year where we have nice weather in between cold weather so we’re never quite sure when to shut down our outside faucet, aka sillcock for the winter season.  Sometimes we think we shut it down and removed the hose but actually didn’t, so be sure and double check.

If you haven’t already, once you’re finished using your outside garden hose and faucet, unhooked your garden hose from the faucet.  DO NOT LEAVE IT ATTACHED DURING THE WINTER.  Also, you want to shut off your sillcock inside the house at the stop and waste valve (if you have one – if you don’t you really want one on that line) which should have a drain port.  Then open the outside faucet to drain the water.  Leave that faucet open during the winter so if it is leaking you will see an icicle forming.  A frost free faucet does not mean it won’t freeze, it only means that if installed correctly it should not freeze if you don’t leave a hose on it.