Frost King FC1 Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover, Oval

Why I added a cover to every hose bib this year

A few winters ago, one bitter night and a forgotten hose were all it took to split a pipe inside my exterior wall. Since then, I’ve gotten more serious about simple, low-cost safeguards. This season I put the FC1 on my standard outdoor faucets and kept a close eye on how it installed, sealed, and held up through repeated cold snaps.

What it is

The FC1 is a lightweight, oval foam cap that slips over an outdoor faucet to cut wind, trap a bit of residual warmth from the house, and reduce the risk of freeze-ups. It’s a simple two-part recipe: a 5/8-inch expanded polystyrene shell and a 3/4-inch one-piece foam gasket that presses against the siding. It comes fully assembled, with a cord and slide lock to snug it down. It’s manufactured in China, which is typical for this category.

The form factor is compact enough not to look like an eyesore against the wall, and it doesn’t interfere with nearby trim. It’s not a heater; it’s just insulation, but used correctly it can make a real difference.

Installation and setup

Install took me less than a minute per faucet:

1. Remove the hose and drain the spigot. If you have an interior shutoff, close it and open the faucet briefly to let any trapped water out.
2. Slip the FC1’s cord loop around the faucet handle or stem.
3. Seat the oval shell over the faucet and press until the foam gasket contacts the wall all around.
4. Pull the cord through the slide lock until snug. You’re aiming for even compression of the gasket, not crushing it.

A good seal is everything. On clapboard siding I rotated the cover until the gasket bridged two boards cleanly. On one rough brick wall, I added a thin strip of weatherstripping in a low spot to help the gasket make full contact. Once tightened, the cover didn’t wobble or rattle in wind.

Removal is just as quick—pinch the slide lock, ease the cord, and it comes off cleanly. That’s handy if you need occasional winter access to the tap.

Fit and compatibility

On standard hose bibs and frost-free sillcocks with typical handles, the FC1’s oval shape fits well. It clears most anti-siphon caps, though on one bulky vacuum breaker the fit was tight; I could still seat the gasket, but it took a bit more care. If your faucet protrudes unusually far or sits beneath a thick hose reel bracket, plan on extra fiddling or consider a larger cover.

The gasket is generous enough to seal on common siding profiles. Still, deeply textured brick, heavy stucco, or irregular stone can create gaps. If you can see daylight around the gasket, add a quick bead of removable putty or a strip of compressible tape before tightening the cord.

Performance in the cold

I used the FC1 through multiple nights in the teens (Fahrenheit) with stiff wind, and a few stretches of sub-freezing days. On a properly winterized line (hose removed, interior shutoff closed and drained), the exterior faucet body stayed dry with no sign of frost buildup under the cover. On another faucet without an interior shutoff, the FC1 still prevented a freeze-up in single-night cold snaps, though I wouldn’t rely on any cover alone for prolonged deep freezes when the line remains pressurized.

The biggest difference it makes is stopping wind-driven convective cooling and creating a small insulated pocket against the wall. That pocket holds onto a bit of warmth that naturally conducts through the pipe from the interior. If your faucet passes through an uninsulated rim joist or rim cavity, the FC1 is an extra layer of insurance; it won’t save a badly plumbed line in a weeklong arctic blast, but it meaningfully reduces risk in typical winter conditions.

Durability and upkeep

The polystyrene shell is thicker than it looks and shrugs off incidental bumps. Mine took a couple of knocks from a ladder without cracking. The foam gasket is the wear item. After a full season, it showed noticeable compression set and a few rough edges from repeated tightening and contact with rough brick. Functionally, it still sealed, but the gasket looked a bit tired. I’d expect one to two seasons of clean use on rough surfaces before the gasket loses its resilience; smoother siding is kinder.

The cord and slide lock held tension without slipping. As with any foam product, UV exposure isn’t a friend. I store the covers in a bin once spring arrives, which helps. If you have curious pets, keep in mind that foam is chewable—one cover earned a few tooth marks but kept working.

Practical tips to get the most out of it

• Remove hoses. This is non-negotiable. A hose traps water, invites ice, and defeats the purpose of any cover.
• Use the interior shutoff if you have one. Close it and drain the exterior line; the FC1 then acts as a belt on top of your suspenders.
• Check the seal. Run a finger around the perimeter to feel for gaps. If air can whistle in, cold can too.
• Label and store. Write the faucet location on the inside with a marker and stash the cover out of sunlight in spring.

What it won’t do

The FC1 doesn’t correct plumbing that’s inherently vulnerable—uninsulated lines routed through a vented crawlspace, for instance. It doesn’t heat the faucet. And while it’s reusable, it’s not indestructible; the foam gasket is the limiting factor on long-term durability. If you need something that will live outside for many years in full sun and rough contact, a hard-shell cover with a replaceable gasket or a more robust clamping mechanism might be a better match.

Value

Given the low cost of entry, the FC1 punches above its weight. A single burst pipe repair can set you back exponentially more than a stack of these covers. The convenience is high—no tape, no improvised wrapping, no fuss—and the performance is adequate to excellent within the limits of what insulation can do on a faucet.

Pros

• Quick, tool-free installation; genuinely takes seconds
• Effective wind block and insulation around standard spigots
• Lightweight and unobtrusive; easy mid-winter access
• Fully assembled; no fiddly parts to lose
• Good price-to-protection ratio

Cons

• Foam gasket compresses and wears faster on rough surfaces
• Fit can be tight on bulky vacuum breakers or uniquely shaped faucets
• Not chew-proof; foam is vulnerable to pets and rough handling
• Relies on a proper seal; irregular masonry may need supplemental sealing

The bottom line

The FC1 is exactly the kind of simple, inexpensive solution that quietly prevents expensive problems. Used with basic winterization—hoses off, interior shutoff closed when possible—it keeps exposed faucets out of the wind, insulated, and far less likely to become a weak point during cold snaps. Installation is effortless, and the overall design is practical.

I recommend the FC1 to homeowners who want a quick, effective layer of faucet protection without overthinking it. It’s at its best on standard spigots against reasonably flat siding, and it earns its keep over a season with minimal fuss. If you need a cover to survive years of heavy abuse or to conform to highly irregular masonry, be prepared to supplement the seal or consider a more rugged alternative. For most homes, though, the FC1 hits the right balance of ease, performance, and value.