Hello fellow plumbers.

So I have a newly installed copper hose line which extends about 10 feet outside to a spigot that gradually slopes back down to a shutoff valve, with another spigot, that terminates inside my basement porch. The porch is unheated and I would prefer to keep the inside front basement door closed.

I am concerned that the pipe after the shutoff valve, inside the porch will freeze when I shut it off for the winter.

It appears when all the doors are closed the porch is about 15 degrees warmer than outside temperature, based on my mini thermometer from amazon. NY winters can get cold so I want to get this correct. Moving the shutoff valve is not an option.


Im not really interested in using an electric insulation wrap. The pipe is pressed against the wall already so I might be limited in any non heated foam wraps anyway but I'm willing to try if it helps.

The only two immediate options I see are,

1. to keep the shutoff valve very slightly open, almost in a fully closed position and let the spigot nearest the shutoff trickle or

2 keep the shutoff fully closed, open both spigots all the way, put some kind of cloth over the pipe and keep the inside basement door open to allow the heat into the porch when temps will drop below 20 degrees.


Anyone have any other recommendations, or insight as to if I overthinking that this pipe may freeze?

I would heat tape it with a tape that can be covered with insulation. You have the electrical box to get power from. Cut a piece of foam insulation tube lengthwise, so that can fit around the pipe and the tape, and be touching up against the wall.



Edited 2 times.

Thanks for the reply,
Does the porch room temperature generally coincide with pipe temperature?

About how much degree F of “protection “ can i expect from foam vs rubber insulation without any heat tape? Also if i were to insulate pipe, would that prevent house heat accessing it should i decide to open inside door on a really cold day?

Will leaving a 13w LED light on or similar provide any heat value?



Edited 1 times.

insulation will not stop pipes from freezing. it will to a certain degree delay it.

Can you install a draw off in that room to drain the pipe during freezing conditions