Follow these simple steps to make your garden hose last for years!

Preparing your garden hose for the colder winter months is a standard part of seasonal maintenance.

By learning how to properly winterize your hose, by following a few easy steps, you ensure its longevity and readiness for the next growing season.

Step 1: Disconnect and drain completely

Remove the hose from the outdoor spigot and disconnect any attached nozzles or sprinklers.

Shut Off the Supply (Crucial!): If your home has an indoor shut-off valve for the outdoor faucet, turn it off to prevent the entire line from freezing and bursting inside your walls. Then, open the outdoor spigot to drain any remaining water from the pipe.

Empty the hose: Lift one end of the hose and walk it down to the other end, letting gravity drain out all of the water. For the best results, lay the hose out straight on a slight slope, if possible, to ensure every last drop is gone.

Step 2: Coil and store the garden hose indoors for winter

Neat Coiling: Once completely drained, coil the hose into large, loose circles. Avoid tight bends.

If the hose is damaged, the couplings can be removed with ease using a ½-inch hex key and a pair of adjustable pliers. They are easily reattached once the damaged portion of the hose is removed, thus extending the life of the hose.

A garage, shed, or basement is the ideal winter home for your garden hose; store the coiled hose on a shelf, in a storage bin, or, preferably, hang it on a large, curved hose hanger or hook to avoid stress damage caused by hanging it on a single nail.

Taking these simple preventative maintenance measures to properly winterize your garden hose means many more seasons of reliable service.