Have you winterized your garden for the coming cold weather? Many gardeners neglect their winterizing duties to much regret. Many homeowners forget to disconnect hoses in winter, leading to frozen pipes, damaged spigots, and costly repairs. A simple step like removing the hose from the tap can prevent major issues once temperatures drop.
Is it Bad to Leave the Garden Hose Connected During Winter?
Yes, you should not leave your garden hose connected to the tap during the winter months. Failing to disconnect your garden hose from the tap increases the risk of frozen pipes and hoses which can cause them to rupture, leading to water damage in and around your home.
Protecting Your Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation System
Follow these basic steps for winterizing your garden hose and prevent freezing:
- Disconnect the hose from the tap and remove it from the hose reel.
- Remove the hose spray nozzle or any hose attachments from your hose.
- Drain all the remaining water supply from the hose, and shut off valves.
- Coil the hose and secure it by screwing the ends together. Use caution if it is not a kink-resistant hose to avoid damage during storage.
- Store the hose until spring. Flexible hoses are easy to store in the shed or garage.
When to Disconnect the Garden Hose for Winter?
If you live in a region of the United States that experiences freezing weather during the winter, disconnect the outdoor hose and store it for the winter two weeks before the freezing temperatures arrive. If you live in a region that doesn’t experience a harsh winter climate, store the hose away when the grass goes dormant and stops growing. The best time to start winterizing your lawn and garden is in the early fall. Leaving your garden hose out during the winter degrades the material used in its construction, shortening its service life.
What Temperature Causes the Hose to Freeze?
There’s no insulation to stop the water from freezing inside your rubber or vinyl hoses. As soon as the temperature drops to 32℉ for more than six hours, it freezes the water in the expandable garden hose. You’ll need to disconnect the hose and store it away before the temperatures drop in order to protect your water line and outdoor pipes.
What Happens to the Hose if You Don’t Disconnect it in the Winter?
Leaving water in the hose will cause the water to expand as it freezes, splitting the hose and damaging the pipework at the faucet. By winterizing your system, you avoid a costly replacement in the spring.
Forgetting to winterize the hose can result in busted pipes and broken spigots in your outdoor faucet. If the water freezes in the pipes or spigots, you can expect to spend a small fortune on pipework repairs in the spring.
Store the hose in a place that doesn’t experience freezing temperatures. If you disconnect the hose, ensure you drain all the water from it. Be sure all the water flows out of the hose before storing.
Leaving water in your garden hose and storing it in the garage could result in the water freezing inside the pipe. This can cause damage even to a heavy-duty rubber hose. Consider using a frost-free hose to minimize these risks in milder climates.
Winterizing Lawn Sprinklers in Omaha, NE: What to Know
Harsh winter conditions can impact not only garden hoses but also your lawn sprinklers in your Omaha home. Freezing temperatures put underground irrigation systems at risk, leading to pipe bursts, malfunctioning valves, and costly repairs in the spring.
To protect lawn irrigation systems, take these precautions:
- Drain all water from sprinkler lines to prevent freezing.
- Shut off the irrigation system before the first hard freeze.
- Use a professional winterization service to blow out excess water from pipes.
- Check for leaks and repair sprinkler heads before winter begins.
Preventing Frozen Hoses and Sprinkler Damage
A winter-ready outdoor plumbing system prevents unnecessary damage and extends the life of hoses and sprinklers. Consider installing frost-free outdoor faucets and using insulated hose bib covers for added protection. Regular winter plumbing maintenance reduces the risk of costly repairs when temperatures rise.
Key Takeaways: Is it Bad to Leave Garden Hose Connected During Winter?
- Yes, you need to store your hose away for the winter to prevent it from incurring damage.
- Leaving a garden hose connected to the tap in freezing weather can cause splits, bursts, and leaks in the hose and your pipework and faucet.
- Drain the hose, coil it, and secure the ends before storing it in the garage or shed until the following spring.
Get Expert Help for Lawn Sprinkler Winterization
Protecting outdoor plumbing is essential for avoiding costly repairs in the spring. Pioneer Underground Lawn Sprinklers offers professional sprinkler winterization in Omaha, ensuring irrigation systems remain in excellent condition through the cold months.
Pioneer Underground Lawn Sprinklers | Omaha’s Best Commercial & Residential Sprinkler Systems
Contact Pioneer Underground Lawn Sprinklers to schedule a free estimate on a system install or to find out what you can do to make your existing system more efficient. We welcome commercial and residential clients. And remember, whether you need our services now… or later in the season, Your Healthy Lawn is Our Passion and we are only a phone call away! Call 402-934-7900 to schedule your service.
