Many Brits have a tap outside in their garden but, as the colder weather sets in, there’s something you are urged to be aware of. Homeowners have been told to complete a simple task
17:01, 10 Sep 2025Updated 17:01, 10 Sep 2025
There’s one task you need to complete (stock image)(Image: Moyo Studio via Getty Images)
Numerous households feature outdoor taps in their gardens, proving invaluable for a variety of tasks throughout the warmer months, such as watering plants. Most commonly, they offer straightforward and immediate water access to help homeowners tackle different exterior jobs.
These taps serve multiple purposes including garden irrigation, vehicle washing, patio cleaning and pool filling, removing the hassle of dragging hoses or containers from indoors. They prove incredibly practical and can boost gardening productivity, whilst also supporting environmentally conscious approaches like linking to rainwater collection systems.
Nevertheless, specialists warn there’s an important consideration as we approach autumn. With cooler temperatures arriving, frost begins to affect outdoor fixtures, and homeowners certainly don’t want garden equipment freezing throughout winter.
In a TikTok clip, Richard, operating under the name Fix Make and working as a repair specialist and craftsman, offered valuable guidance. Those with external taps might want to take note.
Richard outlined how outdoor taps occasionally malfunction, with surprising factors potentially causing these issues. He provided essential information in a useful breakdown.
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Demonstrating the tap, he explained: “There’s a valve in here, in the main body, which you can change, but there’s also a stopper here, that stops the water running back in to the house – any dirty water coming from a hose pipe or anything like that.
“The only way to fix it is to buy a new tap. You can see the valve on the back there – that can break because of frost.
“So the only way to fix it is to buy a new tap. Switch off the mains, unscrew this one, put a new one on. Job’s a good ‘un, but remember to frost protect your tap before the winter comes.”
To stop an outdoor tap from freezing, you must begin by switching off the isolation valve for the tap, which is typically located inside your home. This needs to be done to cut off the water supply – from this point, you can turn on the outside tap to empty any remaining water from the pipe.
Next, for additional protection, you should wrap the tap by covering it with a specialist tap cover or pipe insulation. This must be fastened securely to stop cold air from reaching the pipe.
To assist homeowners further, Severn Trent Water provides additional guidance on the necessary steps. It’s vital you act promptly rather than delay, particularly if you’re spending less time in your garden.
The website explains: “Garden and outdoor taps are vulnerable to the cold. Covering them up during the winter will really help to protect them.
“You should be able to buy tap guards from your local DIY store. If you’ve already lagged your pipes, make sure you protect your outside taps too.
“A frozen tap can increase the risk of a burst pipe. Covering it up from the cold can massively reduce this risk. If you are protecting your outdoor tap, make sure you also lag the pipe that leads to it, if it’s exposed.”
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