Water Hose Left In Over Winter

Chaselady · 09-16-2013, 05:13 PM

We leave ours in, been doing it for 25+ years. Some of it runs under the ground, not deep, just enough so we don't trip over it.
We do, however, drain the house in the fall and get enough water out of the pipe so whatever is left has room to expand if it freezes.

Coolbreeze · 09-16-2013, 06:03 PM

The black plastic becomes brittle in the cold, so don't run over it with trucks or snow machines. It needs to be drained, we blow air through ours to make sure. We cap off the ends with screening so critters don't look for a home but it still drains of condensation. Otherwise in the spring and the start of the season we find air leaks at the fittings and over the years pin holes develop in areas; these cause the prime to be lost if you can even get it. Otherwise leave it out.

hazelnut · 09-16-2013, 06:43 PM

For the 10 years I was on Cow myself and as far as I know all of my neighbors removed the hoses. I think it was the best way to make sure that all of the water was drained. If you are in a windy area I might worry about the ice ripping the hose in half as you said. I think the hose is cheap enough to warrant an experiment on your part. Just be ready in the spring with plan B.

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09-16-2013, 05:13 PM	#1
Chaselady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melvin Village Posts: 309 Thanks: 150 Thanked 105 Times in 73 Posts	We leave ours in, been doing it for 25+ years. Some of it runs under the ground, not deep, just enough so we don't trip over it. We do, however, drain the house in the fall and get enough water out of the pipe so whatever is left has room to expand if it freezes.

The Following User Says Thank You to Chaselady For This Useful Post:
chocophile (09-17-2013)

09-16-2013, 06:03 PM	#2
Coolbreeze Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 332 Thanks: 0 Thanked 51 Times in 26 Posts	The black plastic becomes brittle in the cold, so don't run over it with trucks or snow machines. It needs to be drained, we blow air through ours to make sure. We cap off the ends with screening so critters don't look for a home but it still drains of condensation. Otherwise in the spring and the start of the season we find air leaks at the fittings and over the years pin holes develop in areas; these cause the prime to be lost if you can even get it. Otherwise leave it out.

09-16-2013, 06:43 PM	#3
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	For the 10 years I was on Cow myself and as far as I know all of my neighbors removed the hoses. I think it was the best way to make sure that all of the water was drained. If you are in a windy area I might worry about the ice ripping the hose in half as you said. I think the hose is cheap enough to warrant an experiment on your part. Just be ready in the spring with plan B.