How often should you shut off and drain outdoor faucets?
Every fall before first freeze. On a calendar: October.
Why it matters
Water trapped in an exterior faucet freezes, expands, and splits the pipe inside the wall — the leak only shows up the following spring.
How to do it
Close the interior shutoff valve for each hose bib, then open the outside tap and let it drain. Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
Signs you've waited too long
A hose bib that sprays inside the wall when first opened in spring means last winter already won.
Same part of the house
Gable keeps this list for you.
The Gable app builds your home's maintenance schedule, reminds you when tasks come due, and keeps the record of everything you've done. Coming soon to iPhone.