Denver’s short summers, early freezes, and high-altitude weather swings make early winterizing crucial to keeping your outdoor plumbing damage-free when temperatures drop. Without proper prep, leftover water in your pipes, faucets, and hoses can freeze and expand, causing costly cracks or bursts that leave you running to clean up the mess. Using only a few common tools, you can protect your pipes and stay worry-free throughout the winter.
Keep reading to learn the steps to winterizing your outdoor plumbing in Denver and how the licensed plumbers at Squeak’s help keep your pipes crack-free when the winter chill arrives.
When to Start Winterizing in Denver to Prevent Frozen Pipes
As temperatures start to drop in late September, Denver’s chilly weather acts as a reminder that it’s almost time to start winterizing your pipes. Most homeowners begin the process in mid to late October, before the first frost of the season.
Tacking action early helps you avoid getting caught off guard by a sudden weather change, which can leave your pipes frozen and your outdoor plumbing at risk of bursts and cracks. If you notice limited water pressure, strange banging or gurgling noises, or frost forming on your pipes, you may have already missed the window. If you notice any of these warning signs, immediately contact a reputable plumber in your area to prevent worsening damage.
Tools and Materials Needed
Winterizing your outdoor plumbing only requires a few key materials and some standard household tools. With most homes already stocked with basic items like a wrench and screwdriver, you’ll likely only need to spend between $20 and $50 on supplies.
Check your toolbox and visit the local hardware store to pick up the following items:
- An adjustable wrench
- A garden hose
- A bucket
- Pipe insulation
- Faucet covers
- Heat tape
Step-by-Step: How to Winterize Outdoor Plumbing
Once you have your tools ready to go, you can start taking action to protect your plumbing system from Denver’s freezing winter temperatures. Follow the steps below to drain leftover water and protect your pipes, faucets, and hoses from freezing.
Step one: Shut off the water supply
Always begin the winterization process by shutting off your outdoor water line. You’ll often find the shut-off valves in your basement, utility room, or crawl space. If you’re having trouble, you can contact Denver Water to help you find the correct valve.
Step two: drain outdoor pipes and faucets
Once your water is off, winterize your outdoor faucets by opening them to let water drain from the pipes. Turn the handles clockwise and make sure the faucet opens completely so all remaining water can flow out.
If there’s stubborn water that won’t drain, visit your local tool shop to purchase compressed air. Attaching it to the faucet helps remove any remaining water from the pipes.
Step three: insulate exposed pipes
Pipes exposed to the outdoor weather are significantly more at risk of freezing than those in insulated places like basements or crawl spaces. For frozen pipe prevention, wrap foam pipe insulation or heat tape around the length of each pipe. Make sure to focus on north-facing pipes, which are often more exposed in Denver homes.
Step four: protect outdoor faucets
Without proper protection, below-zero temperatures and cold winds can cause the water inside your faucets to freeze. Applying foam or plastic covers over each faucet adds an extra layer of insulation and prevents costly damage.
Step five: disconnect and store hoses
Garden hoses are often sneaky culprits that can trap water and damage your plumbing system during cold spells. Make sure to disconnect them from faucets and drain any existing water inside the hose to prevent cracking, and store them indoors until the freezing weather passes.
Step six: check sprinkler systems
If you have sprinklers set up, hire a Denver irrigation specialist to blow out the lines. Blowing out your system helps remove any remaining water to prevent pipe cracks and bursts. Costs can range anywhere from $85 to $250, depending on your system, but it’s a worthwhile investment to protect your pipes from freezing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes to watch out for when winterizing your outdoor plumbing. Forgetting some of the above steps or not taking action soon enough can leave you with extensive and costly plumbing emergencies when temperatures drop. Make sure to avoid the following:
- Forgetting sprinkler blowouts: Leaving any water inside your sprinkler system can freeze and cause pipes to burst or crack, resulting in a costly cleanup.
- Leaving hoses attached: Water inside hoses can become trapped in the faucet, increasing the chance of freezing and pipe damage if you keep them connected.
- Relying on insulation: Trusting that insulation will keep your pipes flowing, without actually shutting off the water supply, often results in costly damage and plumbing repairs.
- Winterizing too late: Your pipes are at risk as soon as the first frost occurs, so it’s essential to act fast to prevent a sudden freeze from catching you off guard.
Denver-Specific Considerations
Winterizing outdoor plumbing in Denver comes with its own unique challenges. Sudden temperature swings, heavy snow, and busy contractors can make proper preparation tricky. Keep the following in mind when planning your winterization process:
- Rapid temperature swings: Denver’s high altitude means warm days can quickly turn into freezing nights that put your pipes at risk of bursting.
- Poor insulation: Homes built without proper insulation in areas like crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls make pipes more vulnerable to freezing.
- Difficult scheduling: Local Denver plumbers and irrigation companies often book up fast when it comes time for winterizing, so it’s important to schedule early to avoid catching them too late.
- Snow buildup: Heavy, consistent snowfall can trap moisture and put excess weight on faucets, hoses, and pipes, increasing the risk of damage and freezing.
When to Call a Plumber
While there are many DIY-friendly winterization tasks, sometimes it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. Improper cold-weather plumbing prep can lead to costly damage and extensive repairs, especially if you have a complex plumbing system or a history of frozen pipe issues.
Hiring a reputable plumbing company, like Squeak’s, ensures your system is properly protected, safe from freezing, and ready to take on the cold winter months. Licensed plumbers have the tools, skills, and expertise to carefully evaluate and protect your system while detecting hidden issues like weak pipes or poor insulation that could turn into costly problems.
Protect Against the Freeze with Winterization by Squeak’s
Don’t let Denver’s freezing winter weather put your outdoor plumbing system at risk. Contact the experts at Squeak’s for fast, reliable winterization services that keep your pipes crack and burst-free throughout the season. Our team of licensed plumbers handles everything from sprinkler blow-outs to pipe insulation, keeping your home protected from the cold.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call us today to schedule your winter plumbing maintenance before the first freeze arrives. We proudly serve residents throughout Denver and surrounding Colorado communities.
