The biting winter weather is taking its toll on our homes, and that means extra steps and precautions have to be taken to keep them protected. Nowhere is this more important than preventing freeze-ups in pipes, so you don't end up with a costly leak on your hands.
That's why our HVAC and plumbing experts recommend using the $12 Frost King Foam Faucet Cover available at Amazon to insulate outdoor faucets cheaply, effectively, and save yourself a plumbing nightmare later.
Covering your outside faucet takes only minutes and is one of the most protective steps you can take for your home in the winter.
Why HVAC and Plumbing Experts Recommend the Frost King Foam Faucet Cover
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This Frost King foam faucet cover is loved by shoppers and experts alike for a reliable solution to preventing frost and freeze-ups from affecting your pipes and faucets. They're also reusable for years.
One of the main household concerns across the board in winter is stopping pipes from freezing. Therefore, it's imperative to protect outside faucets from freezing, too, and the easiest way to do so is by using a faucet cover – pros suggest the Frost King Foam Faucet Cover, available at Amazon.
As Travis Hargrave from Hargrave Plumbing advises, it's strongly recommended to use hose bib covers during cold weather times of year. 'Hose bibs are often the only plumbing on a building that is directly in contact with outside air,' he explains. 'This, in turn, makes them the first item attacked by cold weather. A hose bib cover helps to trap the warm air from the building and uses it to defend the spigot while at the same time keeping cold air away from it.
'Another thing about iced pipes is that the longer they are frozen, the more pressure can build up inside them. So even if your pipes do freeze, having them freeze more slowly can be very helpful when staving off damage to your lines.'
Jason Troutman, certified master plumber at Northlake Plumbing Repair, agrees, adding, 'The danger of frozen faucets isn’t necessarily a blockage or the freeze itself, it’s the pressure that the freeze creates. When water freezes in an outside faucet, it expands back into the home’s interior pipes, which can lead to cracks, leaks, and even bursting.
'Thermal protectors like foam covers for faucets trap heat that radiates from inside the house, and prevent wind chill from flash-freezing the metal spigot.
'Additionally, they help keep ice and snow out of the valve, preventing damage to the rubber gaskets and washers that become evident in the spring. While they don’t technically heat anything, they are still essential thermal barriers for plumbing systems.
'So, long story short: Foam spigot covers are a very cheap solution to a potentially very expensive problem for homeowners.'
For this, pros use the Frost King Foam Faucet Cover, available at Amazon.
'Our verdict on the Frost King Foam Faucet Covers is that they’re a plumbing staple,' says Jason. 'We see them all the time in the plumbing industry, and for good reason. They’re simple and easy to use, cheap, and durable.
'Our pro tip is to always check the seal of the cover against the home to make sure it’s flush. If the foam doesn’t sit flush against the side of the home, it’s no longer doing its job.'
Travis echoes that, at Hargrave's Plumbing, they also use the Frost King Foam Faucet Covers, and he uses them in his own home.
'They are easy to use and work very well,' he says. 'They take at most 20 seconds to install, and can typically be installed by people of all ages.'
Importantly, advises Josh Mitchell, HVAC expert and founder of AirConditionerLab, it's best recommended to use foam faucet covers once temperatures start dipping below freezing.
'A simple foam cover traps a pocket of warmer air around the faucet, keeping it 10 to 20 degrees warmer than the outside air. That small difference can prevent burst pipes,' he says, while helping you to successfully swerve any home maintenance mistakes never to make in winter.
When to Remove Your Frost King Foam Faucet Cover
So, once installed, when do you no longer need to worry about stopping outdoor spigots from freezing?
'I don’t take them off until daytime highs consistently stay above 50°F and overnight temps don’t dip below freezing for at least two weeks, usually in April,' depending on the region, advises Josh. 'Even then, I leave them nearby in case we get a surprise cold snap. It’s a cheap layer of protection that works better than people expect.'
Additionally, and conveniently, they can also be reused for years without needing to be replaced, adds Shelley Nytes, manager at Valentine Plumbing and Heating – just make sure the cover is fully dry before you store it to prevent any mold.
'As a side note, it is often best to also shut off water to the outside faucet, if that is an option with your home's indoor plumbing,' she shares.
Shop Our Winterizing Faucets Essentials
This Frost King Faucet Cover protects outdoor faucets from freezing, wind, and chill, and is quick and easy to install without the help and cost of a plumber.
These outdoor faucet covers are reusable and reliable, with a very thick cover design for superior protection in both freezing and hot temperatures.
This hard faucet cover is designed for extremely cold temperatures, and features a patented Easy Slide Tight installation system that's simple and secure.
These outdoor faucet covers are generously sized and designed to fit most faucet types, with a night reflective strap so you can easily locate the faucet in the dark.
This faucet cover comes fully assembled and is fully reusable season after season, providing continuous protection throughout the harsh winter weather.
For under $7, this Frost King foam faucet cover is easy to install to insulate and protect both regular and stand outdoor faucets.
Meet the Experts
Do you know when to drip faucets to avoid frozen and burst pipes?
