Colorado winters do not play fair. One week it is sixty degrees, the next it is single digits, and your pipes feel every bit of it. The good news is that you can winterize your plumbing in an afternoon, and it is some of the cheapest insurance a homeowner can buy. A single burst pipe can mean serious water damage and a very big repair bill, so it is worth doing before the first hard freeze.
Disconnect your hoses, insulate exposed pipes, know where your main shutoff is, and keep the heat on. Doing it before the first hard freeze takes an afternoon and can save you a burst pipe.
Why Colorado Winters Are Hard on Pipes
Water expands by about 9 percent when it freezes. If ice forms inside a pipe, the pressure builds between the ice and the closed faucet, and the pipe splits at its weakest point. You often do not find out until it thaws and the water starts flowing.
Our big temperature swings and cold, windy nights make this more likely. The pipes most at risk are the ones in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages, attics, and anywhere else that does not get much heat.
How to Winterize Your Plumbing in 7 Steps
1. Disconnect hoses and deal with outdoor spigots
This is the number one cause of winter plumbing calls we see. Disconnect every garden hose, even if you have frost free spigots, because water trapped in the hose and the spigot can still freeze. If your home has an interior shutoff valve for an outdoor spigot, close it and open the spigot outside to let the line drain.
2. Insulate exposed pipes
Foam pipe sleeves are cheap, easy to find at any hardware store, and simple to install. Focus on pipes in the crawl space, garage, basement, and along exterior walls. For pipes that are especially vulnerable, heat tape is another option, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s directions closely.
3. Seal air leaks near pipes
Cold air sneaking in through gaps can freeze a pipe even when the rest of the house is warm. Check where pipes enter the house, around the rim joists, and near foundation vents, and seal any gaps you find.
4. Find your main shutoff and test it
If a pipe does burst, every second counts. Make sure everyone in the house knows where the main water shutoff is, and turn it gently to confirm it actually moves. Old valves can seize up, and finding that out in the middle of a flood is no fun. If yours is stiff or will not close, call us and we can replace it.
5. Keep the heat on
Even if you are away, keep your thermostat set no lower than about 55 degrees. Saving a few dollars on heating is not worth the risk of a frozen pipe.
6. Take care of sprinkler lines
If you have an irrigation system, the lines need to be blown out before a hard freeze. Sprinkler systems are usually handled by an irrigation company, so schedule that early in the fall before they get booked up.
7. Check your water heater
Your water heater works its hardest in winter. A yearly flush and inspection catches sediment, worn parts, and small leaks before a cold snap makes them worse. Our maintenance plans include this.
Take five minutes tonight to walk the house and note where every outdoor spigot and shutoff valve is. When it is 5 degrees out, you will be glad you already know.
When a Hard Freeze Is in the Forecast
A few extra steps can help on the coldest nights:
- Open the cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
- Let a faucet drip slightly. Moving water is much harder to freeze, and it relieves pressure if ice does start to form.
- Keep the garage door closed, especially if water lines run through the garage.
Heading Out of Town for the Winter?
Leave the heat on, ask a neighbor or friend to check on the house, and consider shutting off the main water supply if you will be gone for a long stretch. If the water is off and the lines are drained, there is nothing left to freeze.
Need a Hand Before the Cold Hits?
If you are not sure where your pipes are vulnerable, or you would rather have a professional take a look, we are happy to help homeowners in Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Superior, Niwot, and Gunbarrel. Call us at (720) 940-3661, and if you ever do end up with a burst pipe, our emergency plumbing team is available 7 days a week. Every technician is licensed with the State of Colorado, and you can verify that through the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations.