Winterize Garage Faucet

Dec 3rd, 2020 9:40 am

#1

themagekiler [OP]: Deal Addict; Jan 31, 2008; 1263 posts; 58 upvotes; Markham

Dec 3rd, 2020 9:40 am

Hello all, as a new home owner I wanted to get some advice.

I found the shutoff switch to the faucet that leads to the backyard but I am unable to find one that shuts the water to the garage. I was wondering if it was necessary to turn off water in the garage? Its a older townhome built in 1991 and the garage faucet is attached to a wall the facings the backyard.

When I took ownership of the home the previous owner said that she turned off the water before I got keys and I believe it was just the rear one and not the garage.

Dec 3rd, 2020 11:17 am

#2

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 9352 posts; 6493 upvotes; Mississauga

Dec 3rd, 2020 11:17 am

There should be a shut-off valve somewhere that controls the garage spigot. Unless the previous owner finished the basement and buried it in the ceiling...

Dec 3rd, 2020 11:49 am

#3

IndyBeak: Deal Addict; Sep 13, 2016; 3581 posts; 2364 upvotes; Mississauga

Dec 3rd, 2020 11:49 am

Usually yes. It is a good idea to shut off faucet in garage as well. but it also varies. for example, my garage is mostly exposed to the elements only from the front and rarely goes below freezing temperatures. So out of laziness I usually do not shut off mine.

+1

Dec 3rd, 2020 12:09 pm

#4

Bianco13: Deal Addict; Jan 23, 2015; 1341 posts; 983 upvotes; Woodbridge, ON

Dec 3rd, 2020 12:09 pm

If the shut off is not in the basement. The shut off could be located inside the cabinet under the sink in the powder room or laundry room if backing the garage wall.

Dec 3rd, 2020 12:17 pm

#5

torontotim: Deal Fanatic; Nov 17, 2012; 5070 posts; 4618 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 3rd, 2020 12:17 pm

Stick a thermometer on the spigot in the garage and see what temps it gets down to. In the meantime, if you're concerned, connect a hose to it and open it a tiny bit so it drips/dribbles to prevent freezing. Wrapping the exposed copper with insulation might provide some insurance as well.

Dec 3rd, 2020 1:23 pm

#6

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 9352 posts; 6493 upvotes; Mississauga

Dec 3rd, 2020 1:23 pm

I normally don't shut mine off because the actual tap sticks out of an interior wall and it never gets cold enough in that spot in the garage.

Dec 3rd, 2020 2:50 pm

#7

gumby: Deal Addict; Sep 22, 2005; 4029 posts; 3240 upvotes; Ottawa

Dec 3rd, 2020 2:50 pm

The garage is usually only about 5-10 degrees warmer than outside so on really cold days, it's likely your garage faucet will see freezing temperatures. It's better be safe than sorry, find and shut off the valve to the garage ASAP. The pain and hassle of repairing a frozen faucet, not counting the damage from a leaking pipe, is not worth it compared to the minimal effort of locating the shutoff valve. I had been there ...

Dec 3rd, 2020 4:17 pm

#8

d1000: Newbie; Oct 19, 2006; 66 posts; 71 upvotes

Dec 3rd, 2020 4:17 pm

i recommend shutting it off as well as bleeding the faucet. I moved into a townhome in Ottawa with a faucet in an enclosed garage. I made the mistake of not bleeding and the remaining water still froze and caused a burst when I turned on the water in the spring.

Dec 3rd, 2020 4:19 pm

#9

WikkiWikki: Deal Expert; Nov 28, 2016; 22791 posts; 3319 upvotes; Out west

Dec 3rd, 2020 4:19 pm

First off, is the garage heated?

The shut off might be high in your furnace room, all depends where your tap is. I was going to shut ine off in winters, then realized the pipe itself was all in the furnace room, so no point. And I use the water time from time in the garage

Dec 3rd, 2020 4:42 pm

#10

gumby: Deal Addict; Sep 22, 2005; 4029 posts; 3240 upvotes; Ottawa

Dec 3rd, 2020 4:42 pm

d1000 wrote: ↑ i recommend shutting it off as well as bleeding the faucet. I moved into a townhome in Ottawa with a faucet in an enclosed garage. I made the mistake of not bleeding and the remaining water still froze and caused a burst when I turned on the water in the spring.

You're like me in Ottawa where the temperature in the garage gets below freezing in the winter. I left the hose connected full of water one time even after shutting off the valve and I was not a happy camper the following spring. Now I always remove the hose and drain it as much as I can so the hose doesn't burst either.

Don't just shut off your water valve, anything that can get damaged from freezing in the garage should be moved indoors, i.e. your pressure washer, paint, liquid weed killer, etc.

Dec 4th, 2020 10:58 am

#11

newlyborn: Deal Addict; Jun 16, 2009; 4176 posts; 2986 upvotes; Vaughan

Dec 4th, 2020 10:58 am

I installed this 12 inch Anti-Siphon Non-Freeze Wall Hydrant with Vacuum Breaker and never shut the water off. My garage sees sub zero temp several days in winter but never had any issues.
Although had I not buried water shut off behind dry wall when finishing basement, I would certainly turn it off too.

HVAC Pro-Committed to customer, not brand. Past RFD Reviews
Heat Pump Groupbuy 2023
Central AC and Furnace Groupbuy

Dec 4th, 2020 1:43 pm

#12

CuriousJack: Deal Addict; Feb 17, 2015; 1159 posts; 1581 upvotes; 90.00° N, 135.00° W

Dec 4th, 2020 1:43 pm

this is exactly what I have. Good thing there is a t-bar ceiling about 3 feet away. Still its hard to reach to shut it off and on, space is tight too. My solution, I leave it off and dont use the faucet in the garage..haha

mrweather wrote: ↑ There should be a shut-off valve somewhere that controls the garage spigot. Unless the previous owner finished the basement and buried it in the ceiling...