One of the best perks of a Jersey Shore home is rinsing off after the beach in an outdoor shower or turning on the garden spigot to wash sandy gear. But once October rolls in, those same conveniences can become major liabilities if left open to the cold. Frozen pipes are one of the most common and expensive fall home disasters—and they’re easy to avoid with the right prep.

Why Outdoor Fixtures Freeze Faster

Outdoor showers, spigots, and hose bibs are more exposed to the elements than indoor plumbing. When temperatures dip, water sitting in these lines expands as it freezes, cracking pipes and fittings. Even a small split can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage once thawing occurs.

At the shore, homes that sit vacant for weeks or months are at even higher risk. A freeze can go unnoticed until the next visit, leaving homeowners with a costly surprise.

Step-by-Step: Shutting Them Down Properly

1. Turn Off the Supply Line – Locate the interior shut-off valve leading to outdoor showers or spigots. Shut it tightly to cut off water flow.
   
   
2. Drain the Line – Open the exterior spigot or shower to let remaining water escape. Gravity does the work here.
   
   
3. Disconnect Accessories – Remove hoses, sprayers, and shower heads to prevent trapped water from freezing inside.
   
   
4. Add Insulation – Use insulated covers or foam sleeves on outdoor fixtures for extra protection.
   
   
5. Check for Leaks – Look around the shut-off valve and connection points to make sure water isn’t still seeping through.
   
   

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

• Leaving Hoses Attached: A single garden hose can trap water back into the spigot, causing it to burst.
  
  
• Forgetting the Outdoor Shower: With so much focus on indoor winterization, outdoor showers often get overlooked until it’s too late.
  
  
• Partial Draining: Even a small amount of water in the line can cause a rupture once temperatures fall below freezing.
  
  

Why It Matters for Shore Homes

Homes in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and across Cape May County are especially vulnerable because so many sit vacant during colder months. A burst pipe in an empty house can run for hours—or days—before it’s caught. Preventative maintenance now is far less costly than an emergency repair in January.

How Shore Handyman Can Help

Not everyone wants to crawl under their deck or dig around for shut-off valves. That’s where we come in. Shore Handyman offers seasonal prep services, including shutting down outdoor showers, draining spigots, and inspecting plumbing lines before freezing temps arrive. We’ll make sure your home is protected so you can enjoy the off-season worry-free.

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