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I've got an outside tap, on a stub directly through the wall from under the kitchen sink so minimal external pipework. I've got it wrapped in cloths in a plastic bag for this cold weather but just been out there to get some water for the birds and it's still frozen.
So I thawed it with warm water then with the intention of leaving it open and closing the inline valve under the sink, so if it freezes again it can expand out of the tap, but that isn't doing anything. Could the ice have come back up the pipe (can't see how as it's flowing properly now) or are these valves likely to stick - in which case any way to free it off.
What's the best way to store an outside tap for winter?
[edit - clicked too soon - why won't edit let you reselect the right forum!]
I have seen "tap shaped" insulating covers in Homebase. Other DIY places have them I well I would think.
As you've said, isolate in the house & open the tap. Is what I've done when the weather turned.
We have to do the same with our caravan over winter.
hmmm.... partial fail / partial win here.
The wife has just asked why the mains tap in the sink isn't working. Someone's turned off the wrong isolation valve, that's why 😳
Have now located the right one (which is a proper tap), water to outside tap is off, tap is drained and open, and back rag wrapped for good measure, and I'm happy again.