What to Do If You Forget to Disconnect Your Hose in Winter

Winter weather is approaching quickly, and preparing your plumbing for freezing temperatures is one of the smartest things you can do as a homeowner. Proper winterization prevents headaches, water damage, and costly repairs. One of the most common mistakes people make is forgetting to disconnect hose in winter. If left attached, your hose, outdoor faucet, and even indoor plumbing can freeze and burst. Here’s what you need to know to protect your home, and what to do if you forget.

Why You Should Disconnect Hose in Winter

Outdoor faucets (also called spigots) are particularly vulnerable once the temperatures drop below freezing. During the summer, it’s convenient to keep a hose hooked up for watering your lawn, washing your car, or other outdoor tasks. But once cold weather arrives, a connected hose traps water inside.

That water can freeze, expand, and create enough pressure to burst the faucet or the pipe behind your wall. A burst outdoor spigot can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage, all from a simple mistake that takes just seconds to prevent.

What Happens If You Forget to Disconnect Hose in Winter?

If you forget to disconnect your hose in winter, ice can quickly form inside the hose, spigot, and connecting pipe. Once the pipe bursts, the damage may not be obvious until the ice thaws and water starts leaking, sometimes flooding your home.

Frozen pipes can form in as little as 4-5 hours of below-freezing temperatures. Pipes near exterior walls, basements, or uninsulated crawl spaces are especially at risk. That’s why disconnecting hoses and shutting off outdoor faucets should always be part of your fall plumbing checklist.

What to Do If Your Hose or Spigot Freezes

If you realize too late and the hose has already frozen, don’t panic. You may be able to thaw the pipe before it bursts. Here’s what to do:

1. Disconnect the hose.
2. Open the outdoor spigot.
3. Wrap the spigot and nearby pipe with towels or rags.
4. Carefully pour hot (not boiling) water over the wrapped area.
5. Continue until water begins to flow.
6. Let the water run for 2-3 minutes.
7. Leave the spigot slightly open to keep a trickle running.

This steady trickle prevents the pipe from refreezing. If water does not return after thawing attempts, call a licensed plumber immediately.

How to Prevent Frozen Outdoor Faucets in St. Louis

To avoid frozen pipes in the first place:

• Always disconnect hoses before freezing weather.

• Install insulated faucet covers on outdoor spigots.

• Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets and drain them.

• Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and garages.

Taking these steps will save you from expensive water damage repairs later.

Call Bieg Plumbing & Mechanical if You Forget to Disconnect Hose in Winter

If you’ve discovered a burst pipe or frozen spigot in your St. Louis home, Bieg Plumbing & Mechanical can help. Our certified plumbers have over 60 years of experience repairing frozen pipes, replacing damaged spigots, and protecting homes from cold weather plumbing problems.