Turn off outdoor water faucets before the temperature really drops.

It’s been a surprisingly warm and pleasant fall in Wisconsin, giving homeowners plenty of time to rake up the leaves, clear debris from gutters, and cover sensitive shrubs like roses and hydrangeas.

The temperature is really starting to drop now, and one thing that many people forget to do is to turn off outdoor faucets. Any water left in outdoor pipes can freeze and cause cracks and leaks in the pipes by spring. Even if it’s never happened before, odds are it will happen in the future.

Here’s how to take care of the outdoor water faucets and other items before the cold weather really hits.

1. Outdoor Water Faucets (aka: Hose Bibs, Yard Faucets, Sillcocks)
• Frost-proof Faucets.
Most outdoor faucets are the frost-proof type, including all newer homes. When nothing is connected to the faucet, turn the valve off and it will winterize itself. Otherwise, make sure you unscrew hoses, splitters, timers or anything else connected to the faucet. If you leave something connected to the faucet, water can’t drain out. Some faucets may have a vacuum breaker that requires you to push up a little stem to release the water that remains in the pipe. Any water left inside even frost-free faucets can cause the trapped water to freeze and expand, causing the frost-free faucet to split and leak in the spring.
• Non-frost-proof Faucets.
If the handle is on the top part of the faucet, it is probably not a frost-proof faucet. The non-frost-proof faucet should have a shut-off valve inside the house close to the faucet. Turn off the valve inside the home and open the valve outside the house to let any water drain out.
• Caulk any air gaps or openings around the outdoor faucets. Sealing the gaps on the outside of your home will prevent the cold air from blowing in.

2. Sump Pump Discharge Hoses.
Sump Pumps are your last line of defense to protect your home against flooding. The hose removes any water to a safer location away from your home’s foundation. Make sure the hose is properly pitched at a downward angle away from your home so it can’t trap water and freeze.

3. Main Vent Pipes.
Clear leaves from the main vent pipe on your roof. During winter, a clogged vent pipe can cause toilets to flush inadequately and waste pipes to drain poorly.