How to Winterize Your Garden Hose and Outdoor Water Equipment
As the weather cools and the first frost approaches, it’s time to protect your outdoor water tools from cold-weather damage. Garden hoses, spigots, and sprinklers can all suffer from freezing water—leading to cracks, leaks, and costly replacements come spring. With a few simple steps (and the right gear), you can make sure your setup is ready to handle whatever winter throws your way.
Below, we’ll break down how to properly winterize your garden hose and water equipment, plus how Flexzilla® hoses make it easy to prepare for the cold.
Key Steps to Winterize Your Garden Hose and Equipment
1. Disconnect and Drain Your Hose
Before freezing temperatures hit, detach your garden hose from the spigot. Even the most durable hose can crack if water freezes inside. Stretch out the hose on a slope and let all remaining water drain out.
Pro tip: Flexzilla’s Premium Hybrid Polymer hoses naturally uncoil easily and resist stiffness—making the draining process quick and frustration-free, even in cooler weather.
2. Coil and Store Properly
Once your hose is completely drained, coil it loosely to avoid sharp bends that can cause kinks over time. Store it in a warm, dry place—like a garage, shed, or basement—to prevent exposure to freezing temps.
3. Protect Outdoor Faucets and Spigots
Leaving your faucet connected or unprotected can cause serious damage when temperatures drop. Shut off the water supply to exterior spigots and drain any leftover water. Then, cover them with insulated faucet protectors to prevent freezing and cracking.
4. Winterize Sprinklers, Pressure Washers, and Accessories
If you use a sprinkler system, outdoor faucet timer, or pressure washer, make sure to drain or blow out any remaining water from hoses, nozzles, or tanks. Most manufacturers recommend running compressed air through the line to remove residual moisture.
Why It Matters
Taking a few minutes to winterize now can extend the life of your garden hose and equipment—saving you time, money, and frustration when spring arrives. Frozen water can cause permanent damage to hoses and fittings, but Flexzilla® hoses are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, staying flexible even down to -40°F.
Why Flexzilla® is the Best Choice for Cold Weather
- All-weather flexibility – Performs in temperatures from -40°F to 140°F
- Won’t kink under pressure – Flexible hybrid polymer construction
- Lightweight and durable – Easier to handle and store year-round
- Abrasion-resistant outer cover – Built to last season after season
Final Tip: Store Smart, Start Fresh
Once your hose and tools are winterized, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running in spring. If your old hose has seen better days, this is the perfect time to upgrade to a Flexzilla® Garden Hose—built to handle every season with ease.
Shop Flexzilla® Garden Hoses here.