Insulating outdoor taps? Any good ideas?

[ILuvCowparsely]

We need something for locks too. The combination lock to the field was frozen this morning. Took me a while to warm it up whilst holding two impatient horses.

I use lock de icer for our padlock's

 

[teacups]

And putting your field hay into builders sacks and then dragging them is much easier for dragging over frozen, icy or snowy ground than trying to push or pull a wheelbarrow.

We have a cheap plastic sledge which is fantastic for transporting things across the field (water, hay) if the ground is frozen.

 

[southerncomfort]

If you’re not on a water meter, let the tap run at a very very slow trickle into a container or grid. That has always worked for us!

For the first time ever, our tap hasn't frozen, and I can only put it down to me filling a bucket of water every time I go outside, and last thing at night.

I think if you can keep water moving through the pipes, its less likely to freeze.

Indoors, I will always run hot water through all the taps before heading to bed.

 

[wiglet]

I bring my field lock in overnight in frosty conditions and leave it in my feedroom ready to go back on in the morning. The lock on the main gate gets a squirt of di icer in the morning if needed.
Taps - we're lucky and have a heated tackroom with hot and cold water.

 

[Jojo2go]

My favourite way to deal with frozen locks is to heat your key with a lighter. Works great on cars, which is where I first learned to do it. Just be careful not to overheat or you could burn your fingers.