Spring means it's the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer temperatures and complete chores outside, like cleaning your car, washing it, or putting in the new garden. But one of the fastest ways to ruin those wonderful springtime feelings is to find out that your faucet outside leaks.

If you didn't winterize your hose bibb, the water inside might have frozen over time which could cause damage to the plumbing inside, causing a huge mess, and turn out to be very expensive if it is not addressed promptly.

This is the time of the year when a lot of our clients call us to repair the frozen bibb of their hose. Here's the information you should be aware of.

A frozen hose bibb sign

It is possible that you don't know that the hose bibb of your hose has frozen during the winter months until you switch on the faucet for the very first time in spring. When do you notice a drop in pressure in the water and the sound of running water inside your home from the opposite part of the tub? This is a sign that water was frozen expanding, bursting, and puncturing the pipe.

What causes a hose bibb to freeze?

When water accumulates in the hose's bibb and inside pipes during the winter, it is exposed to freezing temperatures and then freezes (even if the house is well-insulated). Older hose bibbs are vulnerable because they are shorter and permit water to be able to sit up the faucet.

Modern outdoor faucets, often called frost-proofed bibbs, have a better chance of safeguarding your plumbing since the shut-off valve extends further within the home to keep it from frigid temperatures. If you didn't leave the hose connected to the frost-proof bibb, water in the hose could be frozen and back up to the faucet.

What you can do?

The first step is to inspect the hose's bibb, inside the pipe, as well as the supply valve after turning the external faucet the initial time. If you notice any water spots on the walls or on the floor or you notice that the pipe is damaged or broken, ensure that the valve for the supply is shut.

If you're not experienced with plumbing, replacing a hose bib that's broken is best left to an authorized plumber. It's crucial to place and install a hose bib with frost protection properly, so that the water is pitched toward the wall's exterior, in addition to other things. If it's not installed correctly, it could end up in the same spot next spring. The difficulty of the task will depend on the location of the hose bibb that is visible in your basement or concealed behind a wall.