Getting your outside tap ready for winter: step-by-step plan and frost-free taps

You get an outside tap ready for winter in three steps: close the stop valve for the outside tap, open the drain valve and then open the outside tap itself. That lets the water run out of the pipe, so nothing can freeze. Disconnect the garden hose too. Do this before the first night of frost; in Flevoland, the end of October is a good moment.

In this article you can read when it is best to drain the outside tap, how to do it step by step, how a frost-free outside tap works, how to protect the water meter and pipes against frost as well, and what to do if something has frozen or burst anyway.

When should you get the outside tap ready for winter?

Do it before the first frost. In Flevoland, the end of October is a good moment for that. Over 1991 to 2020, the Lelystad weather station of the KNMI (the Dutch national weather service) counted an average of 1.2 frost nights in October, 4.7 in November, 11.2 in December and 12.0 in January (KNMI climate table Lelystad). So a single night of frost is already possible in October.

Water expands when it freezes. If there is water in the pipe to the outside tap, that pipe or the tap itself can crack. You often only notice in spring, when you turn the tap on again and the water runs away inside the wall or the crawl space. Would you like the pipe and tap checked or renewed? Then read what we do on our page about sanitary fittings and plumbing.

How do I get my outside tap ready for winter? Step-by-step plan

You shut off the supply to the outside tap and let the pipe drain. Vitens, the drinking water company in Flevoland, describes this in three steps on its page with winter tips. Here they are in more detail:

1. Disconnect the garden hose. Roll it up and store it somewhere frost-free, for example in the shed or garage. A hose left hanging on the tap holds water.
2. Find the stop valve for the outside tap. It is indoors, often in the meter cupboard, the utility room, the kitchen, the cellar or the crawl space, on the pipe that runs to the outside wall.
3. Close the stop valve. Now no new water reaches the outside tap.
4. Open the drain valve. That is the small (often green, blue or black) valve or cap on or right next to the stop valve. Hold a tray or bucket under it.
5. Open the outside tap fully. Because air gets into the pipe through the outside tap, the water drains out indoors through the drain valve.
6. Wait until no more water comes out and then close the drain valve again. The stop valve stays closed all winter.
7. Leave the outside tap open. If a little water is still left behind, it has room to expand.

Do you also have a tap in the shed, garage or cellar? Do the same there. According to Vitens, it is exactly those taps that freeze and burst more quickly.

I cannot find a separate stop valve for the outside tap

In some homes, the outside tap is connected without its own stop valve. Then you cannot drain the pipe separately. In that case, do not close the main stopcock for the whole winter, because then you will have no water indoors either. It is better to have a stop valve with a drain fitted or to have the outside tap replaced by a frost-free outside tap. We can do that for you; you can read more about our pipework on the page about leaks and pipes.

What is a frost-free outside tap and does it need getting ready for winter too?

A frost-free outside tap does not shut off the water on the outside, but further into the wall, on the warm side. The outside part drains by itself after you turn it off. The manufacturer Rada describes it like this in the product information for a frost-free wall tap: as soon as you turn the tap off and disconnect the garden hose, the tap drains automatically.

That also answers the question of whether you need to get a frost-free outside tap ready for winter: draining is not necessary, but the garden hose does have to come off. If the hose stays connected, the water cannot run out and the tap can still freeze. The same goes for a connector or splitter left on the tap.

Advantages of a frost-free outside tap:

• you do not have to go indoors in autumn to close a stop valve and drain the pipe;
• you can simply use the outside tap on a mild winter’s day, for example to rinse the car or the garden;
• the risk of frost damage is smaller, as long as you disconnect the hose after use.

How do you protect the water meter and pipes against frost?

Wrap up the water meter, seal gaps in the meter cupboard and keep the heating on when it freezes. Vitens recommends wrapping the water meter in, for example, a scarf, newspaper or towel, and sealing cracks and gaps in the space around the meter. According to Vitens, a new water meter is very expensive.

• Water meter: wrap it up and stop draughts in the meter cupboard.
• Pipes in cold spaces: insulate pipes in the crawl space, garage or shed with pipe insulation.
• Heating: in frost, Nationale-Nederlanden advises not setting the thermostat lower than 14°C, even at night and when you are away.

Not sure whether the water meter is leaking or just has condensation on it? Vitens gives a simple test: dry the meter and see how quickly drops appear again. If that takes longer than five minutes, it is probably condensation. If the meter or coupling is wet again within a minute, it is probably a leak.

What do you do if the outside tap or pipe has frozen anyway?

First close the main stopcock and check whether the pipe has cracked. Only thaw a pipe once you are sure it is intact. This step-by-step plan is based on the advice of Nationale-Nederlanden:

1. Close the main stopcock. It is usually in the meter cupboard.
2. Look at the frozen pipe. Do you see a crack? Then call a plumber first.
3. If the pipe is intact, heat the room and wrap a cloth soaked in warm water around the pipe, or use a hairdryer. Never use a naked flame, such as a blowtorch.
4. Open all the taps (except the main stopcock) with buckets underneath.
5. Then slowly and carefully open the main stopcock again and check whether water is leaking anywhere.

The pipe has burst: what now?

Close the main stopcock straight away, catch the water and, if there is water near sockets or appliances, switch off the power to that circuit. Then call a plumber. Our article on a leak in your home explains what else you can do straight away to limit the damage.

Does the insurance pay for damage from a frozen outside tap?

Often yes, but not if the damage comes from poor maintenance or not taking enough precautions. According to Nationale-Nederlanden, buildings insurance covers most water damage from frozen pipes, but damage from poor maintenance or insufficient measures is not covered. This differs per policy, so check your terms. Draining the outside tap is therefore not just sensible, it can also make a difference to your claim.

Do you rent? Then draining is your job

Yes, even if you rent, you get the outside tap ready for winter yourself. The Besluit kleine herstellingen (the Dutch decree on minor repairs) lists measures against pipes and taps freezing among the tenant’s tasks. If the tap or pipe is broken, or there is no stop valve to drain it, contact your landlord.

Do it yourself or hire a professional?

You can simply drain an outside tap that has its own stop valve yourself. A professional is handy if:

• there is no separate stop valve with a drain for the outside tap;
• the stop valve is stuck or leaks when you close it;
• the outside tap drips or leaks, even when it is closed;
• you want a new or frost-free outside tap;
• the pipe froze or burst last year.

What does a new outside tap cost?

For installing an outside tap, the Dutch review platform Werkspot gives an average of €150 to €350. In those figures, a tap directly on the outside wall is the cheapest; the further the tap is from the wall, the more expensive it gets. Klusbedrijf MSZ charges by the hour: the first hour on site costs €181.44 incl. VAT (€149.95 excl. VAT), then €108.84 incl. VAT (€89.95 excl. VAT). Send a photo of the spot via WhatsApp and you will get a free estimate.

When should you call a professional?

Call a plumber if you see a leak, a crack or a tap that does not shut off properly. In any case, do not wait with:

• water coming out of the wall, the crawl space or around the water meter;
• an outside tap that keeps dripping;
• a pipe that no longer works properly or leaks after the winter;
• a water meter that keeps running while all the taps are closed;
• a frozen pipe with a visible crack.

Getting your home ready for winter? Then look at the gutters too: our article on cleaning your gutters explains when and how to do it.

Frequently asked questions

When should I drain the outside tap?

Before the first night of frost. According to the KNMI, Lelystad has an average of 1.2 frost nights in October and 4.7 in November, so the end of October is a good moment.

Should the outside tap stay open or closed in winter?

The stop valve indoors stays closed and you leave the outside tap itself open. That way any water left behind can expand without damaging the tap.

Do I need to drain a frost-free outside tap too?

No, a frost-free outside tap drains by itself after you turn it off. That only works if you disconnect the garden hose and any connectors.

Can I get the outside tap ready for winter without a drain valve?

Not properly. Without a stop valve with a drain, water stays in the pipe. In that case, have a stop valve with a drain fitted or choose a frost-free outside tap.

What does a water meter broken by frost cost?

Vitens calls a new water meter very expensive, but gives no amount on its winter tips page. So wrap the meter up and keep the meter cupboard free of draughts.

I rent: do I have to drain the outside tap myself?

Yes. Under the Besluit kleine herstellingen, measures against freezing are the tenant’s job. If the tap or pipe is broken, report it to the landlord.

Outside tap made ready for winter or fitted in Almere?

Klusbedrijf MSZ is a family business from Almere and available 24/7. We fit outside taps, frost-free ones too, and repair leaking or frozen pipes in Almere, Lelystad and the surrounding area. Would you like help getting your outside tap ready for winter, or a new tap? See our page about sanitary fittings and plumbing.

The first hour on site costs €181.44 incl. VAT (€149.95 excl. VAT), then €108.84 incl. VAT (€89.95 excl. VAT) per hour. In Almere we charge no call-out charge; elsewhere in our service area there is a fixed amount of €42.35 incl. VAT (€35 excl. VAT). See our prices or ask for a free quote. Call or WhatsApp 06 19 74 36 78 and feel free to send a photo of your outside tap or stop valve via WhatsApp.