How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in a Colorado Winter

Why frozen pipes burst

Water expands as it freezes, and a pipe is a closed container, so freezing water has nowhere to go and exerts enormous pressure against the pipe walls. The burst itself often happens not at the ice but at a weak point downstream, where the trapped, pressurized water finally forces its way out, sometimes only when things thaw.

That is why prevention matters so much more than reaction. Once a pipe has frozen, damage may already be done, and the flooding arrives when the ice melts and water flows again. Golden's winters, and cold events like the December 2022 Arctic blast many residents remember, are exactly the conditions that turn a vulnerable pipe into a burst one.

Which pipes are most at risk

Not all pipes are equally exposed. The vulnerable ones run through unheated or poorly insulated spaces: crawl spaces, unheated garages and basements, attics, and pipes routed through exterior walls where cold seeps in. Outdoor spigots and any irrigation lines are the most exposed of all.

Knowing which pipes in your home fall into these categories is the first step, because those are the runs that need protection. A pipe in the heated interior of the house is rarely at risk; a pipe in an exterior wall on the north side, or in a drafty crawl space, is where trouble starts on a cold night.

Insulate, seal, and disconnect

Three fall tasks prevent most frozen-pipe trouble. Insulate the exposed runs with pipe sleeves or wrap, which is inexpensive and makes a real difference in an unheated space. Seal the drafts and gaps that let cold air reach pipes in exterior walls, since a pipe kept out of a cold draft is far less likely to freeze.

Then handle the outdoor plumbing before the first hard freeze. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off and drain outdoor spigots and irrigation lines, because a hose left connected traps water that freezes back into the wall. These are simple, one-time autumn jobs that head off the most common winter bursts.

Cold-night tactics

On the coldest nights, a few extra habits protect vulnerable pipes. Letting a faucet served by an at-risk pipe drip slightly keeps water moving, and moving water is much harder to freeze than still water in a pipe. It is a small amount of water for a lot of protection on a dangerous night.

Opening the cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls lets the home's warm air reach the pipes behind them, and keeping the thermostat steady rather than dropping it far overnight keeps the whole house, including its pipe runs, above the danger zone. None of this is expensive, and all of it is cheaper than a burst.

If a pipe freezes but has not burst

If you turn on a tap and only a trickle comes out on a cold day, a pipe may be frozen but not yet burst, and quick action can prevent the burst. Keep that faucet open so water can escape as the ice melts, and gently warm the frozen section with a hair dryer or warm towels, working from the faucet end toward the blockage.

Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe, which is a fire hazard and can damage the pipe. If you cannot reach the frozen section, if it will not thaw, or if you suspect it has already split, shut off the water at the main and call for help, because a frozen pipe that has burst becomes an emergency the moment it thaws.

When prevention was not enough

Sometimes a pipe freezes and splits despite everything, and then speed is what limits the damage. Shutting off the main immediately, before the thaw floods the space, is the single most important move, which is why knowing your shut-off is part of every winter checklist. From there it becomes a burst and broken pipe repair, and the sooner the water is off, the smaller that repair stays.

If the same pipe freezes winter after winter, that is worth addressing at the root rather than dreading each December. Rerouting or better protecting a chronically vulnerable run, and in some cases repiping an exposed section, ends the annual worry. A pipe that keeps freezing is telling you it needs a permanent fix, not another anxious cold snap.

Frozen pipe questions

This article is general guidance reflecting standard plumbing practice and the International Plumbing Code (IPC). Every home is different, so treat it as a starting point rather than a substitute for an on-site assessment by a licensed plumber.