As the vibrant fall colors sweep across Denver and winter’s chill looms, it’s time to ensure your home’s plumbing is ready for the colder months. Denver’s unpredictable weather, from sudden freezes to heavy snow, can be tough on your pipes if they’re not properly prepared.
As you start preparing your home for the new season, here are a few expert tips to help protect your plumbing and avoid costly repairs this fall and winter.
Winterizing Your Plumbing in Denver
Denver’s high altitude and cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below freezing, put extra stress on your plumbing system. Frozen pipes can burst, leading to water damage and expensive repairs. By taking the below proactive steps now, you can safeguard your home and maintain peace of mind through the season.
Clean the Gutters
The leaves have started falling in Denver, which means you have to find your ladder and get to work on cleaning your gutters. Gutters are an essential part of your roofing system because they provide rainwater and melted snow with a clear path away from your home, keeping your ceiling and sides free of water damage. However, if they get clogged, as gutters often do when they’re chock full of leaves, the water will get trapped and eventually overflow. Over time, this can cause a plumbing headache, so it’s best to spend 30 – 60 minutes today cleaning your gutters than facing the consequences later on.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
Leaving hoses connected during a freeze can trap water in your outdoor faucets, causing them to burst.
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What to do: Disconnect all garden hoses, drain them, and store them indoors. Install frost-proof faucets or faucet covers for extra protection.
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Local note: Denver’s first hard freeze often hits by mid-October, so aim to complete this task by early fall.
Test Your Sump Pump
Although the 2020 hail season was pretty short and mild, Colorado is known for having some intense hail storms, so it’s always best to be prepared. Test the sump pump to ensure it’s functioning as intended by…
- Cleaning the exterior drain pipe
- Turning the unit on
- Pouring water into the sump pit until the float rises
The sump pump should automatically start draining the water. If it does not, then you need to contact Squeaks Family Safety & Home Protection for sump pump services.
Maintain Your Water Heater
It’s a little known fact that water heaters get a bit of a workout during the winter months. Not only do we use more hot water to begin with, but the colder underground temperatures cool down the water in the water supply lines. As a result, your water heater has to work harder to heat the water to the correct temperature.
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What to do: Flush your water heater to remove sediment buildup, which improves efficiency. Set the temperature to 120°F to save energy while preventing scalding.
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Local tip: If your water heater is over 10 years old, consider a professional inspection or water heater maintenance to ensure it can handle Denver’s winter demand before the chill sets in. A little bit of care today goes a long way.
Clean Your Drains
Another thing to remember about autumn is that it’s the unofficial start of the holiday season. If you plan on having guests over for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or another upcoming celebration, make sure to schedule a drain cleaning beforehand. This will help reduce the risk of impromptu plumbing emergencies, such as toilet clogs — it happens more often than you realize.
Insulate Exposed Outdoor Pipes
It’s impossible to survive a Denver winter without a heating unit. The same goes for your plumbing system. Any pipes that live outdoors or in areas of your home that don’t receive much heat, like the basement, need to be insulated to decrease the risk of frozen pipes. Once the temperatures plummet below zero, frozen pipes are a common occurrence for local homeowners, and one of the top repair calls we get in the winter!
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What to do: Wrap pipes with foam pipe insulation or heat tape, available at local hardware stores like Ace Hardware in Denver or Home Depot.
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Pro tip: Pay special attention to exterior walls and areas near vents where cold air can seep in.
Winterize Sprinkler System
Denver’s sprinkler systems are vulnerable to freezing, which can damage underground pipes and fittings. It’s important to prepare your sprinkler system for the winter by “blowing out” or draining all the water in the pipes. To do so effectively, you’ll need to first turn off the water to the sprinkler system and the backflow preventer. Connect your air compressor to the outlet drain valve and gently blow out all the remaining water. Make sure you don’t use too much air pressure, as this can ultimately damage your system.
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What to do: Hire a professional to blow out your sprinkler system with compressed air to remove all water.
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Why it matters: Skipping this step can lead to costly repairs when you reactivate your system in spring.
Check for Leaks and Dripping Faucets
Even small leaks can worsen in cold weather, wasting water and increasing your bill.
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What to do: Inspect faucets, toilets, and visible pipes for drips. Fix minor leaks with new washers or call a Denver plumber for larger issues.
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Fun fact: According to Denver Water, fixing a leaky faucet can save up to 10% on your water bill.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
Cold air entering your home can chill pipes and increase heating costs.
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What to do: Use caulk or spray foam to seal gaps around pipes entering your home, especially in exterior walls or crawl spaces.
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Where to shop: Visit Lowe’s on Colfax Avenue or any Denver hardware store for affordable sealing materials.
Know Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve
In case of a pipe burst, knowing how to shut off your water supply can minimize damage.
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What to do: Locate your main shut-off valve (often in the basement or near the water meter) and ensure everyone in your household knows where it is.
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Pro tip: Tag the valve with a bright label for easy identification in an emergency.
Keep Your Home Warm
Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature prevents pipes from freezing, even when you’re away.
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What to do: Set your thermostat to at least 55°F, even if you’re on vacation. Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate around pipes.
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Denver insight: With Denver’s sunny days and cold nights, temperature swings can be dramatic, so don’t skimp on heating.
What to Do If a Pipe Freezes
Despite your best efforts, a pipe may still freeze during a Denver cold snap. If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out:
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Keep the faucet open to allow water to flow as it thaws.
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Apply heat to the pipe using a hairdryer or warm towels (never use an open flame).
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Call a licensed Denver plumber if you can’t locate or thaw the pipe.
When to Call a Professional
While many of these tasks are DIY-friendly, some require expertise to ensure safety and compliance with Denver’s building codes. Consider hiring a local plumber for:
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Sprinkler system winterization
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Water heater maintenance
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Pipe insulation in hard-to-reach areas
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Emergency repairs for frozen or burst pipes
Stay Ahead of Denver’s Weather
Denver’s fall and winter weather can be beautiful but brutal on your plumbing. By taking these steps now, you’ll protect your home and avoid the stress of unexpected repairs. For professional help, contact a trusted Denver plumbing service to ensure your system is winter-ready.
