How winter breaks happen here
Front Range winters swing sharply. A warm afternoon can be followed by a night well below freezing, and exposed pipes in garages, crawlspaces, exterior walls and unheated basement corners freeze quickly. Ice expands inside the pipe and splits it, but the split often stays plugged by ice. The flood begins when the ice melts, sometimes while the family is away.
Wheat Ridge ranch homes with plumbing in exterior walls or in vented crawlspaces are especially exposed during extended cold, and a vacation home or a vacant property can run unnoticed for a long time.
From discovery to removal
Times are relative to when you notice the problem.
- Right away
- Close the main shutoff and open a low faucet to relieve pressure. Turn off the water heater supply if it is affected.
- Within minutes
- Find where water is entering, such as a ceiling stain, a wet wall or a pool in the crawlspace.
- Soon after
- Cut power to wet areas and move belongings. Remove water from floors with a mop, vacuum or pump.
- Same day
- Open wet ceilings or walls if water is trapped, and begin drying with air movers.
- Following days
- Repair the pipe, then check moisture readings until framing is dry.
What to look for after a thaw
- Stains or sagging on ceilings below bathrooms or kitchens.
- A sound of running water when everything is off.
- A jump in water use on the meter when no one is home.
- Moisture in insulation inside exterior walls.
- Damp carpet along an outside wall.
- Cracked fittings or bulging sections of pipe.
Preventing a repeat
Insulating pipes in unheated areas, sealing air leaks around them and keeping the heat on in vacant rooms all help. Letting a faucet drip during an extreme cold night keeps water moving. Knowing exactly where the main shutoff is, and that it turns, saves critical minutes.
If you travel in winter, consider a water sensor near the heater and laundry and a way to have someone check the house. A small sensor costs little compared with a flooded floor.
Common questions
Is it a leak or a burst if water is running slowly?
A slow drip at a split can still do damage over hours. Shut off the water and inspect, rather than waiting.
Should I turn up the heat to thaw pipes?
Gentle warmth helps, but never use open flames. Thaw slowly and keep the water off until the pipe is checked.
General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.