MGB: Outside taps.. Open or closed in the winter?

OK. Had this debate at work the other day and again with some of the neighbours. I have always left my outside water taps open and shut off the supply inside, for the winter months... There is about a 50 / 50 split on if you leave them shut or open outside. (poll is with 14 friends and co-workers). The others say you leave them closed in case condensation creeps in from the outside. (haha) I have never had an inside water line rupture because of my method.
So.. Does it even matter?

Paul

If the supply is shut then it doesn't really matter.

I always close the valves inside, but leave them open outside, in case any water needs to drain out still.

Close the valve inside
Open the taps outside
Drain the pipe between the valve and the taps (all of them have a small push thingie to drain them)
I have been doing this at the beginning of each winter season and never had a problem..

if you have been doing it your way for years and never had a problem, then I would suggest trying something different this year.....put some romance back into your life........and buy a solid brass nozzle.

It really doesn't matter if everything's working properly. But if your inside valve leaks even a little and you close the outside, the water will eventually fill the line and freeze. Personally, I always close the outside after draining.

I've used sillcocks or frost-free taps in my last four homes. No need to drain them as the water shutoff is in the heated space of the home. A more expense option is to move a lot closer to the equator. :)

[quote=britcars]
I've used sillcocks or frost-free taps in my last four homes. No need to drain them as the water shutoff is in the heated space of the home. A more expense option is to move a lot closer to the equator. :)[/quote]

X2

Why would you have to drain water out of the lines? We never have to do anything like that here??? Oh wait! It get below freezing there!! I get it!

Outside open, inside closed. Foam cover over outside.