Denver winters keep you guessing. One afternoon feels like spring, and by the next morning the thermometer has dropped into the single digits. Those quick swings are hard on your home’s plumbing, and they’re a big reason so many emergency calls come in between November and March.
Our family has been fixing Denver plumbing since 1980, so we’ve seen just about every cold weather problem a house can throw at you. Below are the seven we run into most often, how to spot each one early, and what to do while you wait for help.
Why Winter Is So Tough on Denver Plumbing
Water expands by about 9% when it freezes. Inside a pipe, that expansion builds pressure that can split copper, PEX or galvanized steel. Colorado’s freeze-thaw cycle makes things worse because the same pipes get stressed over and over during a single season.
Some homes carry more risk than others. Keep a closer eye on your plumbing if your house has any of the following:
- Pipes running through exterior walls, garages or crawl spaces
- Older construction with little insulation around plumbing lines
- Basements or rooms that sit unheated for long stretches
- Outdoor spigots and sprinkler lines that weren’t winterized
For general cold weather preparation, the Ready.gov winter weather guide is a helpful and neutral resource for families.
1. Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are the most common winter plumbing emergency in Denver. They usually show up on the first truly cold morning of the season, when a faucet sputters or gives you nothing at all.
Signs Your Pipes Are Frozen
- Little or no water from one faucet while others work fine
- Frost on exposed pipes under sinks or in the basement
- Odd smells drifting up from drains
- Bulging or discolored sections of pipe
What to Do Right Away
Open the affected faucet so melting water has somewhere to go. Then warm the area gently with a hair dryer, warm towels or a space heater placed at a safe distance. Never use an open flame or torch to thaw a pipe, since it can start a fire or crack the line.
If you can’t find the frozen section, or the pipe won’t thaw within an hour or so, it’s time to call a professional. A frozen pipe that sits too long is often the setup for emergency number two.
2. Burst Pipes
A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in a matter of hours. Often the split happens while the pipe is still frozen, so you don’t see the leak until it thaws and water starts pouring out.
Knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located is the most valuable thing you can learn before winter. In many Denver homes, you’ll find it in the basement along the front foundation wall or in a utility room near the water meter.
If a Pipe Bursts
- Shut off the main water valve immediately
- Turn off power to any wet areas if you can safely reach the panel
- Open faucets to drain the remaining water from your lines
- Move belongings out of harm’s way and start soaking up water
- Take photos of the damage for your insurance company
- Call a licensed plumber to make the repair
Our Denver plumbing repair team can locate the break, repair or replace the damaged section, and check nearby pipes for hidden weak spots before they cause another problem.
3. No Hot Water
Your water heater works its hardest in winter. Water coming into your home is much colder, so the tank has to run longer to reach the right temperature. An older or neglected unit often picks the coldest week of the year to give out.
Common Causes of a Water Heater Breakdown
- A pilot light or igniter that won’t stay lit
- Sediment buildup that lowers efficiency and causes rumbling sounds
- A failed heating element on electric models
- A leaking tank, which usually means replacement is needed
Water pooling around the base of your tank should never be ignored. If you smell gas near a gas water heater, get everyone out of the house and call your gas utility from outside before doing anything else.
4. Cracked Outdoor Spigots
Outdoor faucets, also called hose bibs, are easy to forget about once the yard work is done. A garden hose left attached traps water inside the faucet, and when that water freezes, it can crack the pipe just inside your exterior wall.
The tricky part is you might not know anything is wrong until spring. The first time you turn on the spigot, water leaks into your wall or basement instead of flowing out the hose.
- Disconnect and drain every garden hose before the first freeze
- Shut off the indoor valves that feed outdoor faucets, if your home has them
- Add insulated faucet covers for extra protection
- Check for damp drywall or water stains near exterior walls
5. Clogged Kitchen Drains After the Holidays
Holiday cooking brings the whole family together, but it’s rough on your drains. Grease, gravy and food scraps go down the sink in big amounts, and cold pipes cause that fat to harden even faster.
A slow kitchen drain after a big meal is your early warning. Gurgling sounds or water backing up into the other side of a double sink tell you the clog is getting worse.
Easy Ways to Prevent Holiday Clogs
- Pour cooled grease into a can and toss it in the trash
- Scrape plates into the garbage or compost before rinsing
- Keep potato peels, rice and pasta out of the disposal
- Run hot water for about 30 seconds after using the disposal
6. Main Sewer Line Backups
A sewer line backup is one of the more unpleasant emergencies on this list. When several drains back up at once, especially the lowest ones in your basement, the problem is usually in the main line instead of a single fixture.
Winter brings a few specific risks. Tree roots go looking for moisture during dry months, extra houseguests put more strain on the system, and freezing soil can shift older clay or cast iron pipes.
Warning Signs of a Main Line Problem
- Water coming up through a basement floor drain
- Toilets gurgling when the washing machine drains
- Sewage odors inside the home
- Several slow drains at the same time
If you notice these signs, stop using water in the house until the line is cleared. A camera inspection shows exactly what’s causing the blockage, so you only pay for the repair you actually need.
7. Sump Pump Failure and Basement Flooding
Many Denver homes rely on a sump pump to keep groundwater out of the basement. Snowmelt and sudden thaws send water toward your foundation, and a pump that has sat idle since summer may not kick on when you need it most.
A frozen discharge line is another common winter issue. If the pipe that carries water away from your home freezes, the pump can run nonstop without moving any water, which eventually burns out the motor.
- Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to test the pump
- Make sure the discharge line slopes away from the house and isn’t blocked by ice
- Listen for unusual grinding or humming sounds
- Consider a battery backup in case a storm knocks out power
When to Call a Plumber Right Away
Some plumbing issues can wait for a regular appointment. Others need same-day attention to protect your home and your family. Call for help immediately if you run into any of these situations:
- Water actively leaking from a pipe, ceiling or wall
- Sewage backing up into your home
- No water anywhere in the house during freezing weather
- The smell of gas near a water heater or other appliance
Our team is centrally dispatched, which means the closest available technician heads your way. With no overtime charges 7 days a week, a Saturday night emergency won’t cost you a penny more than a Tuesday morning visit.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Home This Winter
Most winter plumbing emergencies can be prevented with a little preparation. A few minutes of work now can save you thousands of dollars in water damage later.
- Keep your thermostat at 55°F or higher, even when you travel
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during cold snaps
- Let a faucet drip slowly on the coldest nights
- Insulate exposed pipes in garages, attics and crawl spaces
- Seal gaps where cold air can reach your plumbing
- Schedule a water heater flush and plumbing inspection before winter
Locally, Denver Water also shares seasonal advice on protecting your pipes and checking your home for leaks.
Stay Ahead of Problems With the Home Care Club
The best emergency is the one that never happens. Our Home Care Club keeps your plumbing, heating and electrical systems on a regular maintenance schedule, so small issues get caught long before they turn into a midnight phone call.
Membership comes with perks designed to save you time and money. You’ll find the details on our Home Care Club FAQs page.
Prompt, Professional, Reliable Help When Winter Hits
Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric has been family operated in Denver since 1980. Our values of Family, Care, Excellence guide every visit, from a quick frozen pipe thaw to a full sewer line repair. Simply put, WE CARE about your home like it’s our own.
Every job comes with a Precise Price approved before work begins, 2 hour appointment windows and our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Our licensed and insured technicians drive fully stocked trucks, so most repairs are wrapped up in a single visit.
Call Now! Call, Text or Online
Don’t let a winter plumbing emergency ruin your week. Reach our team at (303) 468-2294, or find Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric on Google Maps for directions and reviews. Book Today, Your Way!
How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze in Denver?
Pipes are at risk once temperatures drop to about 20°F and stay there for several hours. Lines in unheated garages, crawl spaces and exterior walls can freeze sooner, especially when wind pulls warm air away from them.
Should I let my faucets drip on cold nights?
Yes, a slow drip on faucets connected to exterior walls helps keep water moving and relieves pressure in the line. It uses very little water and can prevent a costly burst pipe.
Where is my main water shut-off valve?
In most Denver homes, the main shut-off is in the basement along the front wall or in a utility room near the water meter. If you can’t find it, one of our plumbers can point it out and label it during any visit.
Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, but damage from slow leaks or poor maintenance is often excluded. Check your policy and document everything with photos before cleanup begins.
How long does a water heater usually last?
A traditional tank water heater typically lasts 8 to 12 years with proper care. Annual flushing helps it run efficiently and can extend its life.
Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaner on a winter clog?
We recommend avoiding chemical drain cleaners because they can damage pipes and rarely clear grease clogs completely. Professional drain cleaning removes the blockage safely and lets us check for bigger problems.
Do you charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays?
No. Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric offers no overtime charges 7 days a week, so you pay the same fair price whenever an emergency happens.
What areas does Brothers serve?
We serve homeowners throughout the greater Denver Metro Area. Our centrally dispatched team can get a technician to your door quickly, wherever you live in the metro.
