Faucet Sock

What's this?

"Keeps outdoor faucets from freezing to avoid burst pipes or joints."

Well, I know such things can happen: one winter I forgot I'd left a hose attached to an outdoor faucet and found out that I had when, the next spring, the joint thawed and my basement was flooded.

That cost me plenty, what with having to rip out the inner wall to get to the burst pipe.

But I've never heard of putting a sock on your faucets to help them get through the winter.

When did this start?

I grew up in Milwaukee and we didn't have these fancy things, tell you what.

They've really gone and tricked–out an insulated bag, what with "wind– and water–resistant" Thinsulate™ thermal lining and a nice string tie.

Why couldn't you just find an unpaired mitten and achieve the same result, maybe using a shoestring to secure it?

I know, I know — don't be a hater.

OK, all right, I hear you.

You can buy a faucet sock for $7.95 here.

I must say, though, I don't quite understand why it would be warmer inside that thing than outside, once it's been sitting there for days at a time in sub–zero temperatures.

I mean, come on.

"Put a sock in it," well, I've heard that plenty but this — well....