Stop Using Faucet Covers. Removing It Is the Only Way to Guarantee No Frozen Pipes.

The Annual Winter Is Coming Ritual

As the weather gets colder, the annual ritual of “winterizing” begins. For me, the first task is always dealing with the outdoor faucet (or “spigot”) that my wife uses for her garden. It sits dormant all winter, becoming a prime target for a freezing disaster.

You can buy those Styrofoam covers, but those are just flimsy “best-effort” solutions. I prefer a method that is simple, costs almost nothing, and is 100% effective.

The technician’s solution? Remove the faucet entirely. If there’s no faucet, there’s nothing to freeze. Sometimes, the simplest answer truly is the best.

The Right Tool for the Job: Brass Plug vs. Stainless Hex Plug

So, what do you use to cap the open pipe? The common solution is a brass “pipe plug,” often with a square head. They look like this:

These work, but I’m not a fan, especially for a faucet I remove and reinstall every single year. My choice? The Stainless Steel Hex Socket Plug (also called an “Allen Plug”).

Here’s why it’s the superior choice for this job:

Corrosion Proof: It’s stainless steel. It will never rust or corrode, even after years of use.

Durable: These plugs are designed for high-pressure hydraulic systems. They are incredibly strong and won’t get damaged from being installed and removed annually.

Easy to Install: A hex key (Allen wrench) gives you a much better, more positive grip than trying to wrench on a small square-headed plug, especially in tight spaces.

I already have these on hand for my CNC work, so it’s an easy choice.

A CRITICAL WARNING: Not All Pipe Threads Are Created Equal (PT vs. NPT)

⚠️ PAY ATTENTION. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE ENTIRE GUIDE.

You need to buy a plug that fits your pipe. In my home in Korea, the standard is a 15A pipe, which translates to a 1/2″ PT (Pipe Taper) thread.

However, if you live in the United States or Canada, you almost certainly use a different standard: NPT (National Pipe Taper).

PT (BSPT) and NPT threads are NOT compatible. They look similar, but the thread angle and pitch are different. You cannot screw an NPT plug into a PT fitting, or vice-versa.

Do not just buy a “1/2 inch plug.” You must confirm your local standard. For most US homes, you will need a 1/2″ NPT Hex Socket Plug. When in doubt, take your old faucet to the hardware store and have them match it.

For geeks: Explaining the history of Imperial vs. Metric and all the different pipe standards is a complex mess. I’m skipping it. Just get the right plug.

The Step-by-Step Process (It’s Easy)

Once you have the right plug, the job takes about 10 minutes.

Step 1: Get Your Parts You need your threaded plug (e.g., 1/2″ NPT Stainless Hex Plug) and Teflon tape (thread seal tape).

Step 2: SHUT OFF THE WATER Go to your main water shut-off valve (usually in the basement, crawl space, or utility closet) and close it. Open the faucet you’re removing and let all the water drain out.

Step 3: Remove the Faucet Use a pipe wrench or an adjustable wrench (like a Monkey spanner) to turn the faucet counter-clockwise and remove it from the wall.

Step 4: Tape and Install the Plug Wrap the threads of your new plug with Teflon tape (3-5 wraps in the same direction the threads tighten, usually clockwise).

Then, insert the taped plug into the fitting and tighten it down firmly with the correct size hex key.

Step 5: Check for Leaks Go back and slowly turn your main water valve back on. Go check your plug. Is it dry? Good. Mission accomplished. Not a single drop.

If you’re more of a visual learner, this video shows the exact process I’ve just described, from start to finish.

See You Next Spring

The removed faucet goes into the warehouse, safe and sound, waiting for spring. It’s funny—in the middle of a scorching summer, I can’t wait for winter. And now that winter’s at the door, I’m already looking forward to spring. Humans are fickle creatures.

“You worked hard watering the plants this year, old faucet. See you in the spring.”