How to Winterize Exterior Faucets and Sprinklers — Dubuque, Iowa
Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations for Dubuque, Iowa
Overview
Disconnect hoses, shut off interior valves to outdoor faucets, and drain the lines.
Step-by-Step Guide
Disconnect all garden hoses
Remove every hose from every outdoor faucet (hose bib). A connected hose traps water in the faucet body, which will freeze and split the pipe. Drain the hoses, coil them, and store them in the garage.
Locate the interior shutoff valves
Find the shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet — usually located in the basement or crawl space on the pipe leading to the exterior wall. Turn each valve to the fully closed position.
Drain the outdoor faucets
With the interior valve closed, go outside and open the hose bib to drain any remaining water. Leave it open through winter so any residual water can expand without bursting the pipe.
Open the bleeder cap (if present)
Many interior shutoff valves have a small bleeder cap or petcock on the downstream side. Open it slightly to let water drain into a bucket. This removes the last bit of water from the pipe between the valve and the faucet.
Shut off and drain the sprinkler system
Turn off the main water supply to the irrigation system. Open the drain valves at the low points of each zone. For systems without manual drains, use a compressed air blow-out method (attach an air compressor to the mainline fitting and blow each zone for 30-60 seconds at 50 PSI max).
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas
Add foam pipe insulation sleeves to any pipes in the crawl space, garage, or unheated basement that lead to exterior faucets. Secure with zip ties or tape. For extreme cold, add heat tape under the insulation.
Install insulated faucet covers
Place insulated hose bib covers over each outdoor faucet. These inexpensive foam covers provide an extra layer of protection against freezing. If you do not have covers, wrap the faucet with towels and plastic bags as a temporary measure.
What You'll Need
Tools
- - Adjustable wrench (for bleeder caps)
- - Bucket (for draining water)
- - Air compressor with irrigation adapter (for sprinkler blow-out)
- - Zip ties or tape (for pipe insulation)
Materials
- - Foam pipe insulation sleeves
- - Insulated hose bib covers ($3-$5 each)
- - Heat tape or heat cable (for extreme cold zones)
- - Teflon tape (for reinstalling bleeder caps)
Cost Estimates
DIY Cost
$10 - $30 for faucet covers and pipe insulation
Professional Cost
$75 - $150 for professional sprinkler blow-out; $150 - $300 for comprehensive winterization including pipe insulation
Safety Tips
- Never exceed 50 PSI when blowing out sprinkler lines — higher pressure can crack PVC fittings.
- Do not stand over sprinkler heads during the blow-out — debris and water can spray unexpectedly.
- If you cannot locate your interior shutoff valves, call a plumber to install them before the first freeze.
When to Call a Professional
Call a plumber or irrigation specialist if you cannot locate interior shutoff valves, if your sprinkler system lacks drain valves and you do not have an air compressor for blow-out, or if you have had frozen pipes in the past.
Pro Tip
If your home has frost-free hose bibs (the handle is on a long stem that extends inside the wall), you still need to disconnect the hose. The frost-free design only works when the hose is disconnected so trapped water can drain out the spout.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving a garden hose connected — this is the number one cause of burst hose bibs in winter.
- Forgetting to open the outdoor faucet after closing the interior valve — the trapped water has nowhere to expand when it freezes.
- Blowing out sprinkler lines at too high a pressure — stay at or below 50 PSI to avoid cracking PVC.
- Only winterizing the faucets you use regularly — every exterior faucet needs to be drained, including ones on the side of the house you never use.
Local Plumbers in Dubuque
Dubuque Housing Market
Median Household Income
$64,985
Median Home Value
$193,100
Median Rent
$943/mo
Homeownership Rate
64.8%
Population
59,271
Median Year Built
1962
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
Fair Market Rents — Dubuque
Studio
$774/mo
1 Bedroom
$841/mo
2 Bedroom
$1,077/mo
3 Bedroom
$1,450/mo
4 Bedroom
$1,807/mo
Source: HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents — Dubuque, IA MSA
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