Preventing frozen pipes in Colorado comes down to three things: keeping vulnerable pipes warm, maintaining airflow around them, and knowing where your main shutoff is if something does go wrong. The Front Range sees temperature swings that can drop from the 50s to well below zero in less than 24 hours — and pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawl spaces, garages, and attics are at real risk during those events. The good news is that most frozen pipe situations are preventable with some inexpensive preparation.

Know Where Your Most Vulnerable Pipes Are

Not all pipes freeze equally. The ones at highest risk are those with the least protection against outdoor temperatures:

  • Pipes in exterior walls, especially on the north or west side of the home that get less solar exposure
  • Supply lines in unheated or poorly insulated crawl spaces
  • Garage walls where a water supply runs through to a utility sink or hose bib
  • Attic pipes in homes where supply runs were run through unconditioned attic space
  • Outdoor hose bibs and irrigation supply lines

Walk your home and identify where these are. That awareness alone helps — you’ll know which cabinet doors to leave open, which areas to check during an extended cold snap, and where to direct a plumber if something does freeze.

Practical Steps Before Winter Hits

The most effective prevention happens before the cold does. Each fall, Do the following before the first hard freeze:

Disconnect and drain garden hoses. A hose left connected traps water against the bib, which can freeze and damage the valve even if you have a frost-proof hose bib. Shut off the interior valve to outdoor hose bibs and open the exterior bib to drain the line. If you have an irrigation system, schedule a professional blow-out — winterizing an irrigation system is one of the more commonly neglected fall tasks in the Denver suburbs, and a frozen backflow preventer is an expensive spring surprise.

Add pipe insulation to any exposed pipes in unheated spaces. Foam pipe insulation from a hardware store is inexpensive and installs without tools. For pipes in very cold spaces, consider heat tape (also called heat cable) — a low-wattage electric wrap that keeps the pipe above freezing even in extreme cold. Make sure any heat tape you use is rated for the application and installed per the manufacturer instructions.

During a Cold Snap

When Denver forecasts nights well below zero, a few active steps reduce risk. Keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F even if you’re away — the cost of the heat is far less than a burst pipe claim. Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks that are on exterior walls to allow heated air to reach the pipes. Let cold-side faucets drip on the most vulnerable lines — moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. If your home has a crawl space, make sure the access panels and foundation vents are closed for winter.

Know Your Main Water Shutoff

If a pipe does freeze and burst, the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major water damage claim often comes down to how quickly you can shut off the water. Know where your main shutoff valve is — typically near the water meter, in the basement, or in the utility area — and make sure it actually turns. Older ball valves and gate valves sometimes seize from disuse. If yours doesn’t operate freely, that’s worth addressing now rather than during an emergency.

Done’s pipe and line services team handles frozen pipe thawing, burst pipe repair, and pipe insulation improvements. If you’ve had a freeze event or want to assess your home’s vulnerability before next winter, contact Done to schedule a plumbing assessment. For a burst pipe situation, our emergency plumbing service is available when you need it fast.