Experts warn about what people should be doing if they have an outside tap in their garden. Before the colder months set in, there’s something all homeowners should be thinking about
Katie-Ann Gupwell Acting Content Editor
15:51, 10 Sep 2025Updated 15:51, 10 Sep 2025
You need to complete a simple task (stock image)(Image: Elva Etienne via Getty Images)
Numerous households feature outdoor taps in their gardens, serving a multitude of purposes throughout the warmer months, including helping to regularly water the plants. Most commonly, they offer convenient and immediate water access to help homeowners tackle various exterior tasks.
These taps prove invaluable for garden watering, vehicle cleaning, patio maintenance and pool filling, removing the hassle of dragging hoses or containers from indoors. They’re incredibly practical and can boost gardening productivity, whilst also supporting environmentally conscious practices like linking to rainwater collection systems.
Nevertheless, according to specialists, there’s something we ought to consider as autumn approaches. When the chillier weather arrives, frost begins to affect everything, and nobody want their garden fixtures to freeze solid during winter.
In a TikTok clip, Richard, recognised as Fix Make, a repair specialist and craftsman from Devon, offered some practical guidance. Those with external taps might want to take note.
Richard outlined that occasionally outdoor taps cease functioning, with surprising factors potentially causing this issue. 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 shutting off the isolation valve for the tap, which is typically located inside your home. This step is essential to halt the water supply – once done, you can turn on the external tap to empty any remaining water from the pipework.
Following this, for additional safeguarding, you should wrap the tap by covering it with a purpose-made tap cover or pipe lagging. This needs to be fastened securely to block cold air from reaching the pipework.
To assist homeowners further, Severn Trent Water provides additional guidance on the necessary steps. It’s vital you implement these measures without delay, particularly if you’re spending reduced 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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