Failing to properly drain and shut off your outdoor hose bibs (AKA spigots or outdoor faucets) can lead to water being left in the supply line, which can freeze, expand, and split your pipes. Winterizing your outdoor faucets will prevent you from having to deal with the frustrations and damage resulting from frozen or burst pipes.
Step 1. Turn OFF the water to the hose bibs.
The Hose Bib Shut-off Valve is in the mechanical closet in the garage. When the knob is parallel (||) to the pipe (i.e., running in the same direction), the water is ON.
To turn it OFF, turn the knob "righty-tighty" one-quarter turn, so the knob is intersecting/perpendicular (+) to the pipe (as if blocking the flow of water to the hose bibs).
Here is a PHOTO of what ON and OFF look like (not the actual valve).
Step 2. DRAIN the hose bibs.
The Hose Bib Drain Valve is also in the mechanical closet. When the knob is perpendicular (+) to the pipe, the drain is CLOSED.
To OPEN the drain, turn the knob "lefty-loosey" one-quarter turn so the knob is parallel (||) to the pipe (as if allowing the water to flow out the drain). You might hear the water rush out.
Step 3. REMOVE any hoses attached to your hose bibs.
NOTE: The house has 3-4 hose bibs: (1) outside by the front door, (2) in the garage, (3) on the rooftop terrace, and (4) on the kitchen deck, if you have one.
Step 4. OPEN each of the hose bibs (lefty-loosey).
Very little water should come out if you turned off the water and drained the hose bibs.
Leave them open for a couple of minutes to make sure all the water is out before turning them OFF/CLOSED (righty-tighty).
Step 5. RE-CLOSE the hose bib drain valve.
When the knob is parallel (||) to the pipe, the drain is OPEN.
To CLOSE the drain, turn the knob "righty-tighty" one-quarter turn so the knob is perpendicular (+) to the pipe (blocking the flow of water to the drain).