First time in 16 years forgot to unhook outside hoses and turn water supply off

[Number11]

Looking for advice.

We have had below freezing temps for the past week and I just realized I forgot to disconnect my hoses and shut off the inside water supply to each spigot. I have turned both inside supply lines closed and disconnected the hose in the back of the house and actually cut the rubber hose close to the spigot in the front as I could not unscrew the hose. Both outside faucets show ice in the spigot. Should I open each outside spigot all the way so it drains when it warms up? Or would this create more issues? The spigot in the front of the house is not frost proof although I believe the one in the back is.


Thanks in advance

 

[Terry]

If you have inside shutoffs and have turned them off, you can open the outside bibs.
Without the inside shutoffs, you would need to keep them closed.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

In addition, you may consider something like this:

 

[Gary Swart]

Can you get warm air to the pipe? You might get lucky and thaw the pipe before it breaks. Might want to consider frost proof faucets in the future.

 

[Reach4]

Thanks for motivating us to not forget.

I also would open the outside taps. It could give ice somewhere to expand to even before the thaw, if the damage has not already been done. Ice can creep under pressure if there is a place to expand to.