Coloradans bundling up ahead of this weekend’s arctic blast should also plan on keeping their homes cozy, particularly for water pipes that can freeze and burst during subzero cold snaps.

Forecasters expect temperatures to drop well below freezing Saturday in the mountains, Front Range and Eastern Plains before plunging into the single and negative digits for most of Sunday and Monday, but people can prevent frozen pipes by taking a few simple steps now, according to Denver Water, the American Red Cross and metro plumbing experts.

High 5 Plumbing usually gets triple the amount of calls because of frozen or burst pipes during and after a cold snap, said company president Levi Torres.

“The best preventative is to start getting ready before the freeze hits,” Torres said.

Before the cold weather hits

Torres recommends bumping up the thermostat to be as warm as is comfortable before the freeze sets in to prevent the chill from entering your home.

“It’s better to pay a little extra in gas this week than to pay for property damage from a burst pipe,” he said.

Denver Water officials recommend setting the thermostat above 65 degrees if homeowners plan to leave home for several days.

Folks should also know where the main water shut-off valve is in their home. For most single-family homes, it’s in the basement, the crawl space or a wall facing the street, according to the agency.

Water pipes in unheated basements or along exterior walls should be insulated against the cold, either with insulation or products like pipe sleeves or heat tape. Even a few layers of newspaper wrapped around pipes can provide protection, according to the Red Cross.

During the deep freeze

When the cold weather sets in, people should open doors near pipes to expose them to warm air, including kitchen and bathroom cabinets and access doors.

Folks should also crack both a hot and cold faucet to keep water trickling, ideally in a place that’s farthest from where water enters your home.

“A very slow drip will keep water molecules moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze. Place a bucket underneath the faucet so the water can be saved for other household uses,” Denver Water officials said.

People should take preventative steps even if they’ve never had a problem with frozen pipes, Torres said.

“Every year your home gets older, the insulation gets older and it doesn’t keep your home as warm as it used to,” he said. “It’s best to practice these things even if you’ve never had a problem so you don’t wake up with a problem.”

Keeping the thermostat set at the same temperature during the day and night can also prevent frozen pipes, according to the Red Cross.

How to locate a frozen pipe

If you wake up to the unpleasant surprise of little or no water coming out of the faucet during a cold snap, there’s still time to avert disaster.

It’s not always easy to tell which pipes are frozen, but people can usually narrow it down based on where water is running in their home and where it’s not, Torres said.

If every water fixture is sluggish or dry, there’s a good chance the pipes are frozen near the main water intake, Torres said. Exterior walls are also more likely to have frozen pipes.

If you can’t figure out which pipe is frozen, call a licensed plumber.

How to thaw frozen pipes

Thawing frozen pipes is a balance of acting quickly and carefully because pipes warmed too fast can break, Denver Water officials said.

Try to shut off the water valve, but keep the faucet open while you warm up the frozen pipe so water starts running as it melts, which will help it melt more.

Use a hair dryer, an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe or a portable space heater (at a safe distance) to thaw the pipe, or wrap it in towels soaked in hot water, according to the Red Cross.

Don’t use any device with an open flame, like a blowtorch, kerosene/propane heater or charcoal stove.

Keep warming the pipe until there’s full water pressure and check all other faucets for possible frozen pipes. If you can’t thaw the pipe, call a plumber.

What to do if your pipes burst

If the worst has already happened, shut off the water at the main valve and, if needed, turn off the electricity in that part of your home and call a plumber.

If your basement is flooded, do not wade through the water until the electricity is turned off. Call an electrician if you can’t reach the electricity on your own, according to State Farm. Contact your gas provider to see if the flooding has impacted your water heater or furnace in case they need to turn off your gas.

Water damage caused by burst pipes is likely covered by homeowner or renter’s insurance and may include reimbursement for a hotel stay if your home is uninhabitable, according to the Colorado Division of Insurance.

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Originally Published: January 16, 2025 at 10:22 AM MST