Whole Home Winterization Tips and Tricks

Why Winterization Matters for Colorado Homes

Colorado winters can swing from sunny afternoons to below-zero nights in a matter of hours. Those quick drops put stress on your pipes, furnace, drains and electrical system all at once. A little preparation in the fall can help you avoid waking up to no heat or a burst pipe in the basement.

Whole home winterization means looking at your house as one connected system instead of a list of separate chores. Your plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems all play a part in keeping your family safe and comfortable. The tips below walk through each area so you know what to check, what you can handle yourself and when it makes sense to bring in a pro.

Start With a Simple Walk-Through

Before the first hard freeze, set aside 20 or 30 minutes to walk around the inside and outside of your home. You’re looking for anything that could let cold air in or leave water lines exposed. Bring a notepad or your phone so you can keep track of what needs attention.

• Exterior walls and foundation: Look for cracks, gaps around pipes and openings where cold air can reach plumbing.
• Garage, crawl space and basement: Note any exposed water lines in areas that don’t stay warm.
• Outdoor vents: Furnace and water heater vents on the outside of the house should be clear of plants, debris and stored items.
• Outdoor outlets and lighting: Check that outlet covers close properly and fixtures aren’t cracked or damaged.

Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter plumbing problems in the Denver area. When water freezes, it expands and can crack a pipe or loosen a fitting. The real damage often shows up later, once the ice thaws and water starts leaking into walls, ceilings or floors.

Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

Outdoor spigots are usually the first place freezing becomes an issue. Even a frost-free hose bib can crack if a hose is left connected, because water gets trapped inside the line.

• Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses before nights drop below freezing.
• If your home has an indoor shutoff for an outdoor faucet, close it and then open the outside spigot to let the line drain.
• Add an insulated faucet cover for extra protection on cold nights.
• Have your sprinkler system drained or blown out before the ground freezes.

Indoor Pipes in Cold Spots

Pipes along exterior walls, under sinks and in unheated spaces need extra attention. Pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to find at most hardware stores, and it can make a real difference in vulnerable areas.

• Wrap exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces and unfinished basements with foam pipe sleeves.
• On very cold nights, open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so warm air can reach the plumbing.
• Let a faucet on an exterior wall drip slowly during a deep freeze to keep water moving.
• Seal gaps where pipes pass through exterior walls to block drafts.

Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is

If a pipe does burst, every minute counts. Make sure everyone in your household knows where the main water shutoff valve is and how to turn it. If the valve is stuck or hard to reach, our Denver plumbers can inspect it and recommend a repair or replacement before winter sets in.

Get Your Furnace Ready for Heating Season

Your furnace works hardest from November through March, so fall is the best time to make sure it’s ready. A professional furnace tune-up gives a technician the chance to clean key parts, test safety controls and catch small problems before they turn into a no-heat call on the coldest night of the year. You can learn more about our heating services in Denver, including furnace repair, boilers and heat pumps.

Warning Signs Your Furnace Needs Attention

Even with regular maintenance, it helps to know what trouble looks like. Reach out to a heating professional if you notice any of the following.

• Uneven temperatures from one room to the next
• Banging, squealing or rattling when the system starts up
• A furnace that cycles on and off more often than usual
• Higher heating bills without any change in how you use your home
• A yellow or flickering burner flame instead of a steady blue one
• Burning smells, excess dust or weak airflow from the vents

Filters and Thermostats

A clogged furnace filter makes your system work harder and reduces airflow throughout the house. Check it monthly during winter and replace it when it looks dirty or as often as the filter manufacturer recommends.

A programmable or smart thermostat can also help you manage heating costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling. Just keep the house warm enough to protect your pipes, especially if you’ll be away.

Don’t Forget Your Cooling System

Thinking about cooling in the fall might seem odd, but your AC and swamp cooler need a little winter prep too. Shutting them down properly protects the equipment and helps everything start up smoothly next spring.

Winterizing a Swamp Cooler

Evaporative coolers are common across the Front Range, and the water they hold can freeze and crack supply lines or the pump. Here’s the general process for shutting one down for the season.

1. Turn off power to the cooler at the switch or breaker.
2. Close the valve on the water supply line that feeds the unit.
3. Disconnect and drain the supply line so no water sits inside it.
4. Drain the pan and clean out any mineral buildup.
5. Cover the unit to keep out snow, debris and cold air.
6. Close or cover the indoor vent so heated air doesn’t escape through it.

Protecting Your Central AC

Clear leaves and debris from around your outdoor condenser and keep stored items away from it. Some homeowners like to cover the top of the unit, but avoid wrapping it tightly since trapped moisture can cause problems. If your home uses a heat pump, leave it uncovered, because it runs all winter to keep you warm. Fall is also a smart time to schedule AC repair and cooling maintenance if your system struggled this past summer.

Clear Your Drains Before the Holidays

Holiday cooking and houseguests put a lot of extra pressure on your drains and sewer line. Grease, food scraps and extra laundry all add up, and a slow drain in November can become a full backup by December.

• Pour cooled cooking grease into a container and toss it in the trash instead of the sink.
• Scrape plates into the trash or compost before rinsing them.
• Run plenty of water with the garbage disposal, and skip fibrous or starchy foods like potato peels and celery.
• Listen for gurgling and watch for slow drains or odors, which can point to a developing clog.

When a Slow Drain Needs a Pro

If more than one drain is slow at the same time, the problem may be in your main sewer line rather than a single fixture. Store-bought chemical cleaners rarely fix that kind of clog and can be hard on older pipes. Our Denver drain cleaning team can clear the line so your home is ready before guests arrive.

Give Your Water Heater Some Attention

Incoming water is much colder in winter, so your water heater has to work harder to keep up. Sediment buildup in the tank can make it less efficient and shorten its life.

• Flush the tank to clear out sediment if it hasn’t been done in the past year.
• Check around the base for moisture, rust or small leaks.
• Set the temperature to around 120 degrees for a balance of comfort, safety and efficiency.
• Keep the area around a gas water heater clear of boxes, laundry and other stored items.

If your tank is more than 10 years old or running out of hot water quickly, it may be time to talk about options. Our team can help you compare water heater repair and replacement, including tankless models.

Make Electrical Safety Part of Your Winter Plan

Winter means more lights, more space heaters and more time indoors, all of which add load to your electrical system. Electrical safety deserves a spot on your checklist right next to your pipes and furnace.

Space Heaters and Holiday Lights

• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet instead of an extension cord or power strip.
• Keep at least three feet of clear space around any space heater.
• Inspect holiday light strands for frayed wires or cracked sockets before hanging them.
• Use outdoor-rated cords and lights for anything outside.
• Plug outdoor decorations into GFCI-protected outlets, which cut power when they sense a ground fault.
• Turn off decorations and space heaters before bed or when you leave the house.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Flickering lights, warm outlets, buzzing sounds and breakers that trip again and again can all mean your system is overloaded. These problems are worth having a licensed electrician check before they get worse. Our Denver electricians can troubleshoot circuits, install surge protection and help you plan for added loads like a generator or EV charger.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

With windows closed and heating equipment running, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential. Test each one, replace batteries as needed and check the manufacture date, since alarms don’t last forever. Ready.gov’s winter weather guide has more tips on using heat sources safely.

Seal Drafts and Hold In the Heat

Drafts make your furnace work harder and can expose pipes near exterior walls to cold air. The Department of Energy’s air sealing guide is a helpful resource if you’d like to tackle some of this yourself.

• Add weatherstripping to doors and windows that let in cold air.
• Seal small gaps around window frames and trim with caulk.
• Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch covers on exterior walls.
• Keep the garage door closed, especially if water lines run through the garage.

Plan Ahead for Storms and Time Away

If You’re Traveling This Winter

An empty house can still run into plumbing trouble while you’re gone. A few simple steps before you leave can keep you from coming home to a mess.

• Keep the thermostat at 55 degrees or higher so the house stays warm enough to protect your pipes.
• For longer trips, consider shutting off the main water supply and draining the lines.
• Ask a trusted neighbor or family member to check on the house during cold snaps.
• Leave interior doors and sink cabinet doors open to help warm air circulate.

Preparing for Power Outages

Winter storms can knock out power, which can leave you without a working furnace. Keep flashlights, extra blankets and charged phone batteries where you can find them in the dark. Ready.gov’s power outage guide explains how to prepare and what to do until power returns. Never run a generator, grill or camp stove inside your home or garage, because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Your Whole Home Winterization Checklist

Here’s a quick list you can save or print to keep the season on track. Take it one item at a time, and you can cover most of your home in a weekend.

1. Drain and store garden hoses and shut off outdoor faucets.
2. Insulate exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces and basements.
3. Locate and test your main water shutoff valve.
4. Schedule a furnace tune-up and replace the air filter.
5. Shut down and drain your swamp cooler.
6. Clear slow drains before holiday guests arrive.
7. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
8. Seal drafts around doors, windows and outlets.

Stay Ahead of the Seasons With the Home Care Club

Seasonal maintenance is easier when you don’t have to remember it all on your own. The Brothers Home Care Club is a home maintenance option for customers who want ongoing care for their plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems. You can see how it works and what’s included on our Home Care Club FAQs page.

Let Brothers Help You Winterize Your Home

Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric has been helping Denver families get through Colorado winters since 1980. We’re family operated and centrally dispatched, so a prompt, professional, reliable technician can get to your home when you need us. Everything we do is guided by WE CARE and our core values of Family, Care, Excellence.

Before any work begins, you’ll get a Precise Price to approve, and we never charge overtime, 7 days a week. Our 2-hour appointment windows mean you won’t spend your whole day waiting around.

Call Now at (303) 468-2294 to schedule winterization service or ask about a concern in your home. You can reach us by Call, Text or Online, whichever is easiest for you. Book Today, Your Way! To read reviews from your neighbors or get directions, find Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric online.

When should I start winterizing my home in Colorado?

Early to mid fall is the best time, ideally before the first hard freeze. Freezing nights can arrive early along the Front Range, so finish outdoor tasks like draining hoses and sprinklers before temperatures dip below 32 degrees.

What temperature should I keep my house at to prevent frozen pipes?

A good rule of thumb is to keep your thermostat at 55 degrees or higher, even when you’re away. Pipes in exterior walls or unheated spaces can still freeze during extreme cold, so insulation and open cabinet doors add extra protection.

How do I know if a pipe is frozen?

Low or no water flow from a faucet during cold weather is the most common sign. You may also see frost on an exposed pipe. If you suspect a frozen pipe, turn off the water supply and call a plumber, since thawing it the wrong way can cause it to burst.

Do I need a furnace tune-up every year?

Yearly maintenance is a good habit for most furnaces, and many manufacturers recommend it. An annual visit helps catch worn parts, test safety controls and keep the system running efficiently through the winter.

How often should I change my furnace filter in winter?

It depends on the filter type, the size of your home and whether you have pets or allergies. Check it every month during heating season, and replace it when it looks dirty or on the schedule the manufacturer recommends.

Should I cover my air conditioner for the winter?

A breathable cover over the top of the unit can keep out falling debris, but avoid wrapping the whole thing tightly. Never cover a heat pump in winter, because it needs airflow to keep heating your home.

Are space heaters safe to use?

Space heaters can be used safely when you follow the manufacturer’s directions. Plug them straight into a wall outlet, keep them at least three feet from anything that can burn and never leave them running unattended.

What should I do if a pipe bursts?

Shut off the main water valve right away, and turn off electricity to any wet areas if you can do so safely. Move valuables out of the way and call a plumber as soon as possible. Photos of the damage can also help if you need to file an insurance claim.