What Time of the Year Should I Winterize and Open My Outdoor Faucets in Wisconsin?

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Wisconsin winters can be tough on your home, and one of the most overlooked tasks is knowing when to winterize and when to reopen your outdoor faucets. Shutting them down too late can lead to frozen pipes and costly repairs. Opening them too early in spring can be risky if nighttime temperatures still drop below freezing.

As a local, family-owned exterior cleaning company serving Appleton and the Fox Valley, we see a lot of avoidable damage around foundations, hose bibs, and exterior walls. A little preparation at the right time of year can save you a lot of money and stress.

When Should You Winterize Outdoor Faucets in Wisconsin?

In most years, homeowners in Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Kaukauna, Fox Crossing, and surrounding areas should plan to winterize outdoor faucets in the mid to late fall.

A good rule of thumb:

• Winterize faucets when overnight temperatures consistently drop into the low 30s°F (around mid-October to early November).
• If an early cold snap is in the forecast, it’s better to winterize a little early rather than risk a frozen pipe.

How to Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets

Here’s a simple checklist you can follow each fall:

• 1. Disconnect all garden hoses.
  Leaving hoses attached traps water and can cause the faucet and pipe to freeze.
• 2. Turn off the interior shutoff valve.
  Most homes have a shutoff valve inside the basement or utility area that controls water to exterior spigots. Turn this valve to the OFF position.
• 3. Open the outside faucet to drain remaining water.
  Once the interior valve is off, open the exterior faucet to let any remaining water drain out. This relieves pressure and reduces freeze risk.
• 4. Consider using an insulated faucet cover.
  In especially cold or windy spots, an inexpensive foam cover can add extra protection.

While you’re outside, it’s also a great time to look at your siding, gutters, and walkways. If they’re covered in algae, dirt, or stains, scheduling a fall house wash, gutter cleaning, or pressure washing can help your home head into winter clean and protected.

When Should You Turn Outdoor Faucets Back On in Spring?

Most Wisconsin homeowners can safely reopen outdoor faucets in the mid to late spring, once the risk of hard overnight freeze has passed.

General guideline:

• Wait until nighttime temperatures consistently stay above freezing (typically mid-April to early May in the Fox Valley).
• Check the extended forecast to be sure there are no deep freezes coming.

How to Safely Turn Outdoor Faucets Back On

When you’re ready to use your outdoor water again, follow these steps:

• 1. Make sure the exterior faucet is closed.
  Before turning the inside valve back on, verify the outside faucet handle is in the OFF position.
• 2. Slowly open the interior shutoff valve.
  Turn the inside valve back ON gradually to restore water to the exterior line.
• 3. Turn on the outdoor faucet and check for leaks.
  Open the outside faucet and let it run for a few seconds. Look for drips around the handle, wall, or basement area where the pipe enters the home.
• 4. Attach hoses and test your outdoor setup.
  Once you’re sure everything is dry and leak-free, reconnect hoses, or sprinklers.

Protecting the Rest of Your Exterior

Winterizing your outdoor faucets is just one part of protecting your home’s exterior. Keeping surfaces clean and well-maintained helps prevent long-term damage and costly repairs. Services like house washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, and pressure washing help your property shed moisture, algae, and debris more effectively all year long.

If you’re getting your home ready for spring or fall maintenance, it’s the perfect time to combine faucet prep with a full exterior cleaning.

To see how we help homeowners across the Fox Valley care for their exterior, visit our Google Business Profile for photos, reviews, and service details.

Timler Exterior Services — Exterior Cleaning for Homeowners in Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Kaukauna, Fox Crossing, and surrounding Fox Valley communities.