Plumbing – How to shut off the water spigot to the outside

freezingpipeplumbing

We recently bought a home built in 1970. The previous owner only used the home in the summer and drained the water every time he closed it down for the season. There is an outside water spigot and I spoke with the previous owner and he said he doesn't know how to turn it off for the winter. There are directions on the door that say to take a wrench and turn the screw that is 8" below the floor. I can't see the nut or screw even with a flashlight. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
We are now well into winter, and I am terrified of a pipe cracking. The water pipe is covered in a large heating coil. I don't have the money to call a plumber.

Best Answer

Assuming you're going to be in the house and it's going to be heated all winter, this should do.

  1. Shut off water supply to house. There is commonly a valve in the basement for this.
  2. Open the water spigot outside.
  3. Open any spigot or sink below it and let the water come out until it stops.
  4. Close the water spigot outside and put one of those styrofoam covers on it from home depot.
  5. Turn water back on to the house.