QuickTip: Shut Off Garden Hose

Sun-Tzu, legendary author of the classic military guide—something that over the centuries has also become a model for business and in some regards, life—The Art Of War states (in so many words) that the easiest battle to win is the one you never have to fight.

And as esoteric as that might sound as it relates to DIY, it’s utterly apropos—especially when it comes to averting household disasters.

One wintertime disaster that keeps many a plumber hopping during deep freezes is frozen water pipes that take about 1 second to turn off before the temps drop. All you need to do is find the valve (usually in the basement, just through the wall from the exterior garden hose valve) and give them a turn.

This should be done, ideally, before it snows. Doing this will also make it virtually impossible not to inspect the condition of the valves: are there signs of dripping, mineral build-up, etc? If so, it is time to change the valve out before it fails or freeze–freeze in this case refers not to a geyser of wintertime water but an inability to turn the valve handle on or off. If you do change them out, I am a much bigger fan of the lever-type valve.

Also, remember to open the outside valve and unscrew the hose so any water left inside the system can escape (or expand) if it freezes.

So get on it and shut it off.