Garden Hose Use in the Winter

[Maddog1337]

Hi GJ.

I like to keep my rides clean and was wondering if there was any risk of using the garden hose during the Winter when it's above freezing?

This is my first house, which I'm actually renting, so even more reason not to risk any catastrophic damage. I have a spigot outside and as far as I know only an internal shut-off. This is an older house, so likely no modern anti-freezing amenities.

However... Assuming when I'm done washing the cars, I disconnect the hose and engage the internal shut-off is there any risk? Or is it not worth it? I know I can go to a self-serve car wash but I just hate to waste these warm days not washing my cars my own way at home (I'm very particular with how they are detailed)!!

TIA

 

[MEDTECH]

I also like to rid my rides of salt, etc., during the winter. I'm in NJ so our temps are pretty similar. I basically wait for a day when the temps are at least 40, give or take, and give the cars a good washing. I had my mechanic remark how bad my brakes and rotors were after 35K miles because I didn't get rid of the salt. Not happening again. I wash them good then disconnect the hose and shutoff the inside valve and let the residual water drip til done. Then, I let the hose drain completely and store in my basement. Have had no issues doing it this way.

 

[matt_i]

My guess is in Chicago waterline freezing issues have been solved awhile back. It would seem like most everywhere that a frost-free spigot could be installed it would be by now, over an old boiler drain valve. If your spigot has a round plastic handle approximating a gear then you likely have frost-free. If it's a small metal lobed handle or a metal T-handle then maybe not.

I would offer to disconnect the hose after use and stretch it straight out. Likely your drive is built on a very small grade sloping down to the street, and its enough to drain the hose out. Also if you coil it up after that the water will naturally run to the free end.

With water drained you can store it outside but in a garage might be better, avoid damage from salt, UV, etc. Depending on how attached to it you are

 

[Prospecter]

Having lived in NJ, Chicagoland, and Maine, the climates are quite different. Chitown is MUCH colder, and drier in winter.

Waiting for a warm day works. The trick is really to disconnect the hose when done and make sure the spigot drains. Otherwise, you will be waiting for it to defrost the next time, even with a freeze free spigot. It is also worth taking the hose indoors after use to keep from freezing.

 

[jerseydriver820]

If you live in jersey, like myself. I have found 2 options for winter washing. You can hook your hose up to your hot water heater or ultility sink indoors. This way the hose bib outside stays drains and worry free through winter. Or install Prier C-144S10 Heavy Duty 10 Wall Inlet 1/2" SWT x 3/4" Push Anti-Siphon Freezeless Hydrant. I have one with quick connects on the ends. No need to drain the line. Simply shut off the water. Disconnect the quick connect and watch as all the water stored in the line comes out. I've had mine installed for 3-4 years now. 0 complaints. If you use method two, I'd recommend you store your hose indoors and remove it after each use


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[mobiledynamics]

Don;t leave the hose outside of course. Once done, roll it up so that as you do it, you are - purging- the line in the hose. Then bring it back in.

The other issue is don't create a hazard. Just last month, when we had the cold snap and then the following day it was like 33 Degree. I pulled the cars out for a bath......etc, etc. Even during washing, the (the thermal mass) was still cold enough that it created a ice rink. Ended up putting out some SALT afterwards

 

[RKA]

The biggest issue is the water in the hose, bib or water line freezing after you’re done. The advice above for unwinding the hose to let it drain is good. Store the hose open, with no sprayer on the end or shut off valve on it (open the valve) and disconnect from the hose bib.. The water line is a little trickier. It depends on how that water line was run. If it’s run from an outside wall directly through the wall into a conditioned air space, and a frost free bib is installed, shutting off the outside valve should be sufficient. If there is no frost free bib (or you’re not sure), there should be an an internal shut off, close that off and open the outside valve. In some cases you’ll even have a separate drain indoors, particularly if the water line was run through an unconditioned air space like a garage. Shut off the interior valve, open the drain and the outside valve, let it drain and close off the interior drain (leave outside valve open).

I would ask your landlord how they want the water shut off. They should know, but if they don’t, the instructions above should allow you to figure it out.

Additionally, I would recommend a high quality rubber hose. While it will be heavy, it will be more pliable in cold temps compared to more conventional vinyl/PVC type hoses. Craftsman used to offer really nice quality rubber hoses made in the US that would last decades even if left outdoors year round. But a few years ago they switched to China suppliers and reports are the quality suffered (no personal experience with the newer ones). I know Eley offers some and I would trust them based on my experience with their hose reels, but I would expect they will be expensive.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a spigot outside and as far as I know only an internal shut-off. This is an older house, so likely no modern anti-freezing amenities.

The only time I have ever had a problem with freeze up was when I DID have a "frost-free" sillcock installed ! (Left the hose connected and it split INSIDE THE HOUSE, but after the valve. It caused a flood when I did turn it on again in spring !)

When you are done with the hose, disconnect it, DRAIN the hose, shut off the valve inside and open the out side valve a small amount to let water drain out.

I hope you have 100% "rubber" hoses (like the old Craftsman black hose). If they don't have ice inside them, you can flex them even below freezing.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Don;t leave the hose outside of course.

I have left my Craftsman rubber hoses, disconnected and laying on the ground every year for over 40 years. Most of the time, I don't even bother to drain them. (The biggest problem is them freezing to the ground and then trying to move them !) They work fine in spring.

 

[Y00PER]

I have used my hose in quite cold temps. Just drain the hose and the water line going to the spigot when you are done and you won't have issues. If it's really cold, let the water run a little bit when you are using it to keep it from freezing, but probably won't have that issue since you are waiting for warm days to wash cars and not cold days to make back yard ice rinks