As temperatures drop across Southeast Idaho, one of the most common — and costly — winter plumbing problems we see is frozen pipes caused by outdoor hoses left connected.
It’s a simple mistake, but it can lead to major water damage inside your home.
Why Leaving Hoses Attached Can Cause Big Problems
When a garden hose stays attached to an outdoor faucet during freezing weather, water can remain trapped in the line.
That trapped water expands as it freezes, which can:
- Crack or burst your faucet housing
- Split your copper or PEX supply lines inside the wall
- Cause hidden leaks that only show up once things thaw
Even frost-free hose bibs (the kind designed for cold climates) can fail if a hose is left connected — because the water can’t drain out properly.
Before the first hard freeze hits:
- Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses — even short ones.
- Shut off and drain exterior faucets if your home has a shut-off valve inside.
- Add insulated faucet covers to protect exposed spigots.
- Check crawl spaces or exterior walls for uninsulated pipe runs and wrap them with pipe insulation or heat tape.
These small steps can prevent hundreds or even thousands of dollars in plumbing repairs later.
If you notice slow water flow, a bulging pipe, or a faucet that won’t run, act fast:
- Turn off the main water supply immediately.
- Open nearby faucets to promote water flow
- Use gentle heat (like a hair dryer) — never an open flame — to warm the frozen section.
- Call a licensed plumber right away if you can’t locate or safely thaw the pipe.
If your pipes have frozen or you want to winterize your plumbing system before the cold hits, give B&G Plumbing & Heating a call today.
We’ll help keep your home safe, dry, and worry-free all winter long.
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