Homemade Outdoor Faucet Cover | DIY Faucet Cover

As the winter months are approaching, many homeowners wonder how soon a homemade outdoor faucet cover can be made. Using simple DIY tips and tricks unveiled below, you shall soon realize that they are easy to make and use.

Homemade outdoor faucet covers are great for protection against harsh climates and conditions. They also have impressive functional and protective abilities that put them high on the must-have items in the home.

Often most people winterize their homes and believe they are ready and prepared for the cold. But are they? What about the outdoor pipes?

Have they been protected with a homemade outdoor faucet cover? If the answer is no, let’s get right to it and answer all the most pressing questions.

outdoor faucet cover

DIY Homemade Outdoor Faucet Covers

With winter just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your outdoor faucets from freezing temperatures.

Don’t panic just yet; Some of you may be doing this for the first time, which may seem daunting. However, we’ve got you covered if you’re looking for an easy way to get it done.

We will walk you through all the steps necessary to ensure your water pipes are ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store.

Ideally, you want something that will trap heat and insulate against cold air while allowing access when needed.

You can buy pre-made covers or make your own using materials such as a cup or container, plastic bags, and duct tape or rubber band. For an even more effective cover, try using foil-lined cardboard boxes – they’re cheap and easy!

Here to show you how to make a homemade outdoor faucet cover using things you probably already have at home.

You’ll need:

  • A plastic bag
  • A cup or other small container
  • An elastic band (or rubber band)
  • water

Remove the faucet handle from the faucet. Turn off the water supply inside the home. Then place the cup over the end of the faucet and secure it with an elastic band (or rubber band).

Then fill your plastic bag with water and fit it over the cup. Finally, secure it with another elastic band. Now, this isn’t foolproof, but it should help prevent problems with freezing by insulating the faucet and keeping cold air away from the pipe behind it. 

Do Outdoor Covers Work?

Yes, outdoor covers work if you seal them properly. However, whenever winter freezes arrive, pipes can freeze up and inevitably get burst. This is why homemade outdoor faucet covers are kept to protect the pipes and entrap the air and heat from entering the home.

The best time to set up the coverings is during the fall before the first wave of winter hits. What makes outdoor covers effective is how they operate. They entrap the heat that naturally goes out of the interior pipes into the spigot.

The cover’s insulation prevents the heat from escaping, and the water doesn’t escape with the heat. Therefore the pipes don’t expand or break. But besides their primary reasons, these faucet covers are also effective for the following reasons:

  • They prevent pests and animals from habiting inside the pipes during winter.
  • Often kids can accidentally leave the water running, which can cost you a lot of money. However, having a faucet cover can help prevent such innocent problems.
  • Faucet Covers can keep others from using your water unnecessarily. Many of them come with locks for protection.
  • Faucet Covers keep unnecessary high costs and expenses at bay.

However, the truth is that pipe bursts can wreak havoc upon your home and cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs. Therefore, it is best to protect your pipes with them, whether you stay home for winter or away from home.

Related: Do you need a permit to build a patio in your backyard.

What Is The Best Outdoor Faucet Cover?

The best outdoor faucet covers are long-lasting and provide top-notch quality. And although there are many kinds of outdoor faucet covers, not all of them are made of good quality. However, based on thorough research, below are four types of high-performing faucet covers in the market today.

ArtiGifts Pro Faucet Cover

ArtiGifts Pro Faucet Cover

This cover has good waterproof abilities, and you don’t have to worry about water damage or rusting. In addition, they are easy to install and remove, so they can be used throughout the year.

To install, slide the cover over your existing faucet head and tighten the screws for a good fit. Your home or business is saved from water leaks and other disasters. It also works on both big and small-sized pipes.

Made from highly durable materials, it is always poised to last for years to come. It is also fashioned with modern looks, a Thinsulate outdoor sock cover, waterproof abilities, and budget-friendliness. However, please note that it cannot be washed in the machine.

Miser Outdoor Faucet Cover

Miser Outdoor Faucet Cover
Suppose you have traditional faucet covers which you have been replacing annually. In that case, this particular faucet cover is your best solution because it is made from solid materials and has UV-resistant functions.

It also doesn’t freeze up in the winter and doesn’t cause leaks. In addition, during cold months, it prevents evaporation and condensation, making it a top choice if you are particularly concerned about saving and preserving your water and energy.

Home Intuition Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover

Home Intuition Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover

This faucet cover is universal and versatile. It is formulated to fit all outdoor faucets and has little chance of cracking even in extreme temperatures. It can also be used throughout the year, and it is one of the perfect faucet covers to invest in if you are aiming for proper home protection.

Apart from being affordable and easy to install, it is water-resistant and saves money on plumbing bills. This faucet cover is highly recommended with a stylish modernized look, durability, and functionalities that make it perfect for all kinds of seasons.

Frost King FCI Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover

Frost King FCI Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover

This list would be incomplete without this frost cover because it is one of the highest-rated faucet covers. It keeps water flowing no matter how harsh the cold seasons get; it is durable, reusable, and has such low weight that it can be used on any outdoor faucet.

This faucet is manufactured with tight seals to prevent leaks and drips that are potentially harmful and damaging. Easy installation and dual packaging and different styles and colors that can match the home are just a few of the advantages of this particular outdoor faucet.

 

It’s no secret that outdoor faucet covers can become hard to maintain over a while, especially if you live in an area that’s always cold or if the months are getting bitingly cold.

Faucet Covers don’t just get damaged from cold and freezing temperatures but also from the heat and dust.

No matter how much we strive to protect our homes through the winters, once the temperature goes below freezing, chances are the pipes will still freeze and burst.

So it would help if you had something long-lasting, durable, and effective like the covers mentioned above that won’t require you to change faucet covers every season.

Check out: How to keep your patio cool during the summer.

Do You Need To Cover Outside Faucets?

Yes, your outdoor faucets must be covered well during the cold seasons. The goal is to avoid water damage that can potentially harm your property and find a product that is easy to maintain, easy to install, modernized, and can be removed easily during the non-winter months when it won’t be of much use.

How To Fix Outdoor Faucet With No Water

Discovering your outdoor faucet has no water when you want to water your lawn, fill your pool, or wash your car can be frustrating. However, you can do a few things to get your water up and running again. Here are three simple steps.

  • Check Out The Stopcock

Firstly, the stopcock is the main cut-off point for water supply, and it is usually found in the utility room or boiler room area of your house or apartment building. Turn it back on to use your water again without hassles if it is switched off.

  • Check For Water Supply

If the stopcock is not the problem, check that you have a water supply. If you don’t, then you will have to call up your water company to confirm if there are any water issues they are working on. Suppose they do, then the problem is external. If they don’t, it is an internal problem, and you might want to call up your plumber.

  • Check The Spigot

If there are no internal or external issues and everything is fine with the stopcock, the problem could be with the spigot. These days, faucets come with a frost-proof spigot that can get clogged up by sediments or other blockages. If the spigot is the problem, rest assured that the issue can be easily resolved.

Turn off your water supply, and disassemble the fixture. Once this is done, check for debris, blockages, sediments, or dirt. You’ll be surprised to see that even the smallest particles can obstruct the free flow of water.

If limescale is the problem within your pipes, dissolve using vinegar. Remove all other dirt and impurities, then reassemble the spigot back and turn on your water supply to see if you have fixed the issue. Of course, protective gloves are recommended for this sort of job.

  • Change The Washer

A washer is simply a small black rubber ring found in the faucet. They tend to get old and fall into pieces after several years of use. They can easily leave particles inside the faucet that prevent free water flow. However, they are cheap to replace, so remove the faucet handle and pull out old washer pieces. Reinstate a new one, then close the faucet, and you are good to go.

If none of the above measures bring the water back, then it just might be time to call a plumber as the water problem might be a serious one that requires the hands of a professional plumber.

How To Remove A Stuck Outdoor Faucet Handle

Sometimes a faucet handle gets stuck because of corrosion, high humidity, or simply because it is as old as time. If you have a stuck faucet handle, there are four easy steps to get it unstuck.

Step One: Get your tools in place. They include:

  • Faucet Puller
  • Scrap wood
  • Penetrating oil
  • Hammer
  • Rag
  • Spray lubricant
  • Slot screwdriver
  • Phillips Screwdriver

Step Two: Lightly pry off the faucet cap using the slotted screwdriver. Remove the handle with the Phillips Screwdriver. Spray lubricant on the screw, wait for a minute and try again. This process can be repetitive as it isn’t advisable to force anything.

Step Three: Pull the handle straightway from the valve stem, tie a rag around it, tap with a hammer(not heavily), and then try pulling again.

Step Four: Add a few drops of penetrating oil between the handle and valve stem. After a few minutes, tap the handle and try pulling it off.

 

 

outdoor faucet cover

How Many Gallons Per Minute Does An Outdoor Faucet Use?

The average outdoor faucet uses 9-17 gallons of water per minute. However, this is simply an estimate and doesn’t speak for all outdoor faucets. Factors used to establish how many gallons an outdoor faucet uses depends upon the residential area, the daily amount of water flow, and even the weather.

How To Protect Outdoor Faucets From Freezing

Before the cold comes, you want to ensure that your outdoor faucets are protected from the incoming winters. Here are six proactive steps to protect your outdoor faucets from freezing.

Step One: Remove the garden hose from the faucet in the fall. This simple step ensures that you aren’t sprinting across your lawn during a snowstorm in the winter.

Step Two: Put off the upstream water supply valve on the outside wall that gives the outdoor faucet water. Turn the handle in a clockwise motion until it stops. Lever handles should be turned around in perpendicular motions.

Step Three: Drain out all residual water from the faucet and pipe so that you are sure you have no water left behind that can freeze and expand. If the water continues trickling out even after the upstream valve has been shut off, you may need to repair your leaky valve so that it doesn’t cause problems in the winter.

Step Four: Install an outdoor faucet protector just like the ones mentioned earlier in this article. They offer additional layers of much-needed protection for faucets and pipes. Many are cheap, affordable, and readily available in hardware stores. The cover should be placed securely over the faucet.

Step Five: Ensure that the pipes leading up to the faucet are well insulated.

Step Six: Some people believe winterizing and protecting outdoor faucets every year is stressful. If you fall into this category and would instead do away with the hassle, install a freeze-proof faucet designed to be durable and functional even in freezing temperatures. This way, you can continually use your tap through the winter, and it will be frost-free.

Whenever you see a weather forecast that predicts sub-zero temperatures, you should immediately be concerned about your pipes and faucets to prevent expansion, breakage, and a mountain of plumbing challenges.

Indoor pipes are well insulated from cold. But outdoor pipes are much more susceptible to freezing conditions whenever the temperature dips. To prevent any water disasters, stick with the tips outlined above or just seek professional services. This will save you time and money otherwise spent on the water-damaged property.

How To Cover Outdoor Pipes

This easy DIY method requires plastic bags, old t-shirts, and packing or duct tape.

  • First off, you have to cut off all connections to the outdoor faucet.
  • Then make the faucet snug and comfortable by wrapping it up in several old t-shirts or rags.
  • Next, cover the fabric insulation with one or two bags
  • Lastly, secure tightly with duct tape and wrap around repeatedly

Also, be proactive by keeping up with the weather and having a list and numbers of your local plumbers. Let the cracks in your door allow warm air to pass through the pipes, and remember to leave kitchen cabinets open.

There are too many risks that come with leaving your outdoor pipes open. Since outdoor faucets are small and easily stay open, they are often the most forgotten when homeowners are prepping up their homes for the winter.

In addition, outdoor faucets aren’t insulated. Leaving them exposed can cause water to freeze in your pipes. Once you have frozen pipes, the best thing to do is to turn off your water supply and put a call through to your plumber. It is often possible to catch them early and thaw out the ice.

While water pipes don’t burst from freezing, they often burst from immensely built-up pressure. This is why protecting external faucets equals protecting the indoor pipes because they are interconnected.

Burst pipes ruin the house’s interiors, and they tend to make living conditions unbearable. Once this happens, call up a plumber. However, it is crucial to note that plumbing fees for these jobs don’t always come cheap.

Burst pipes can cost between $50 to $1500, depending on the severity of the damage. And these costs are independent of the cost of water damage repairs and ruined home interior. This is why learning how to protect and cover your pipes is crucial.

Conclusion

There’s always a lot to say about a homemade outdoor faucet cover. They are outstanding because of how much protection they give against all kinds of water damage, and they can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs and expenses. However, waiting until there is an emergency or until temperatures are freezing before using them is never advisable.