How To Protect Your Pipes Before A Colorado Freeze

Colorado's swings between mild days and hard freezes are exactly the conditions that catch pipes off guard. A frozen pipe doesn't just stop your water — if it bursts, you're looking at real water damage on top of the repair. Here's how to lower your risk before the next cold snap.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes running through garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls are the most vulnerable. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and takes an afternoon to install on the lines most at risk.

Disconnect And Drain Outdoor Hoses

A hose left connected to an outdoor spigot can trap water in the line, and that water freezing is a common cause of split pipes right at the wall. Disconnect, drain, and if you have shutoff valves for outdoor spigots, use them.

Keep A Trickle Running On The Coldest Nights

On nights well below freezing, letting a faucet drip slightly keeps water moving through the line, which makes it much harder for ice to form and block the pipe completely.

Know Where Your Main Shutoff Is

If a pipe does freeze or burst, the first move is shutting off water at the main valve, not waiting for a plumber to arrive. Every homeowner should know exactly where this valve is before they need it.