When to Turn Off Outdoor Faucets for Winter, and the 4-Step Shutoff

Shut off outdoor faucets before the first 32°F night. The 4 steps, why a frost-free spigot still needs the hose off, and what to do if a pipe froze.

11/5/20263 min read

Curb Calc cover: Turn Off Outdoor Faucets by 32°F, the 4-step shutoff table, with a photo of a snowy fire hydrant and a Freeze Warning signCurb Calc cover: Turn Off Outdoor Faucets by 32°F, the 4-step shutoff table, with a photo of a snowy fire hydrant and a Freeze Warning sign

Your frost-free spigot can still freeze and break a pipe this winter if the hose is left on it: Watts' instructions say the hose must come off so the valve can drain. Shut off outdoor faucets before the first freezing night, which the National Weather Service puts at 32°F or below.

Quick answer: before the first 32°F night in your forecast. Don't wait for a hard freeze, 28°F or below.

Free calculator: mulching the foundation beds by the spigot for winter? Get bags and cubic yards in our free mulch calculator. No sign-up.

Red fire hydrant in snow beside a hand-painted sign reading Freeze Warning! Let faucets drip, leave heat on
Red fire hydrant in snow beside a hand-painted sign reading Freeze Warning! Let faucets drip, leave heat on

Photo: Hansheng Zhao on Unsplash

When to turn them off

The trigger: a forecast low of 32°F or below. The NWS calls that a freeze; 28°F or below is a hard freeze.

Why the spigot goes first: the Red Cross lists outdoor hose bibs among the pipes that freeze most often.

Missed it? Do it today, before the next freeze night.

Sprinklers too: the Red Cross says to drain sprinkler supply lines per the maker's or installer's directions. See how to blow out a sprinkler system.

A child's hands on a wall-mounted outdoor faucet with tan plastic handles
A child's hands on a wall-mounted outdoor faucet with tan plastic handles

Photo: Nellie Adamyan on Unsplash

The 4-step shutoff

1. Hoses off: remove, drain and store every hose (Red Cross).

2. Inside valve closed: close the valve inside the house that feeds each outdoor faucet.

3. Outside faucet open: open it and let the water run out.

4. Leave it open all winter, once the inside valve is closed: the Red Cross says any water left in the pipe can then expand without breaking it. DC Water gives the same advice.

Hose storage: see the best hose reel.

Icicles dripping from a clamp on a brass-colored outdoor pipe
Icicles dripping from a clamp on a brass-colored outdoor pipe

Photo: Liana S on Unsplash

Frost-free faucets still need the hose off

How they work: the SharkBite listing says the shutoff sits at the inlet end, to protect the valve in freezing weather. The two sillcocks below are 12 inches long.

The catch: Watts' sill cock instructions say the hose must be removed to let water drain and prevent freezing.

Slope: Watts says the hose end must sit lower than the seat end so it drains. If yours tips toward the house, call a plumber.

Frost-free with no inside valve? Take the hose off and close the handle; Watts says it drains once the hose is off.

Frost covering the grass in a lawn
Frost covering the grass in a lawn

Photo: T on Unsplash

Covers and cold snaps

Foam covers: Frost King's listing says its foam cover protects outdoor faucets from freezing, wind and chill. Use one after the shutoff, not instead of it (our take).

Very cold nights: the Red Cross says to let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes.

Away for the holidays: keep the heat at 55°F or higher, the Red Cross says.

Single icicle hanging from the underside of a pipe
Single icicle hanging from the underside of a pipe

Photo: Luca Severin on Unsplash

If a pipe froze anyway

Safe heat: an electric heating pad, a hair dryer, a space heater kept away from anything flammable, or towels soaked in hot water (Red Cross).

No flame: no blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or charcoal stove. DC Water says to open the faucet so water can flow once it melts.

Not a fit for DIY: a frozen spot you can't find, reach or thaw. The Red Cross says to call a licensed plumber.

Faucet covers and frost-free sillcocks (#ad)

As an Amazon Associate, Curb Calc earns from qualifying purchases.

Frost King FC1 Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover, 4 Pack: foam, fits an outside faucet, made in the USA, per the listing. See it on Amazon

SharkBite 12 Inch Frost Free Sillcock: 1/2 in push-fit inlet, 3/4 in hose outlet, vacuum breaker, no soldering, per the listing. See it on Amazon

Eastman 12 Inch Frost Free Sillcock: brass, 1/2 in MIP x 1/2 in sweat, vacuum breaker, per the listing. Threads on or solders in. See it on Amazon

Outdoor faucet FAQ

What temperature should I turn off outdoor faucets?

Before the first night forecast at 32°F or below, the NWS freeze line. Don't wait for 28°F.

Do I need to winterize a frost-free spigot?

Yes, at least the hose. Watts says it must come off so the valve drains.

Should outdoor faucets be left open in winter?

Yes, once the inside valve is closed. The Red Cross says that lets leftover water expand without breaking the pipe.

Watch Curb Calc on YouTube: youtube.com/@curbcalc

Sources: American Red Cross, Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes; DC Water, Jan. 2025; NWS St. Louis, Frost & Freeze page; Watts LFFHB-1 sill cock instructions.