By Karim Sabbagh, owner, Best Option Restoration of Colorado Springs, IICRC certified water damage restoration and mold remediation.
Frozen pipes in Colorado Springs usually start with the first hard freeze of fall, and burst pipes are one of the most common causes of winter water damage we see. The good news: most frozen pipes are preventable with a few steps you can take this week.
Quick answer: To prevent frozen pipes, disconnect garden hoses, blow out your sprinkler system, keep your heat at 55°F or higher and open sink cabinets on cold nights. If a pipe bursts, shut off your main water valve, turn off power to wet areas if it’s safe, document the damage and call an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company. Wet materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
Pipe burst right now? Call Best Option Restoration of Colorado Springs 24/7 at (719) 619-8616. You’ll talk to our local team, not an answering service.
When do pipes start freezing in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs’ average first freeze is October 1, according to National Weather Service records. There’s a 90% chance the city has dropped to 32°F by October 15, and a 90% chance of a hard freeze (28°F or colder) by October 27.
Colorado Springs freeze facts
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Average first freeze | October 1 |
| 50% chance of a hard freeze (28°F) by | October 10 |
| 90% chance of a hard freeze (28°F) by | October 27 |
| Earliest first freeze on record | September 1, 1911 |
| Latest first freeze on record | October 31, 1963 |
Source: National Weather Service, Pueblo office.
In other words, if you haven’t winterized yet, now is the time.
Why do pipes burst when they freeze?
A frozen pipe usually doesn’t burst where the ice forms. Ice blocks the pipe, and water pressure builds between the blockage and the closed faucet. That pressure splits the pipe, often inside a wall where you can’t see it.
Colorado Springs has a few conditions that make this more likely:
- Big temperature swings. Sunny 50-degree afternoons followed by single-digit nights freeze and thaw pipes over and over.
- Wind. Cold wind pulls heat out of exterior walls, garages and crawl spaces faster than the thermometer suggests.
- Empty homes. Colorado Springs is home to Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy and several Space Force bases. Military moves and deployments, plus winter travel and rentals between tenants, leave homes with the heat turned down and nobody there to catch a leak.
The hidden burst pipe most homeowners miss
The most common hidden freeze damage we see starts at an outdoor spigot. Most newer Colorado Springs homes have “frost-free” spigots, where the shutoff valve sits inside the wall. They work well, unless a garden hose is left attached.
The hose traps water in the pipe. That water freezes and cracks the pipe inside the wall. Nothing happens all winter. Then in spring, someone turns on the hose and water pours into the wall or basement, sometimes for days before anyone notices.
Your sprinkler system has the same risk. The backflow preventer outside your house can crack in a hard freeze if the system isn’t blown out.
Colorado Springs freeze-prep checklist
Bookmark this list or print it for your fridge.
Before the first freeze:
- Disconnect and drain all garden hoses
- Blow out your sprinkler system
- Shut off and drain any indoor valves that feed outdoor spigots
- Insulate exposed pipes in the crawl space, garage and unfinished basement
- Seal gaps where cold air reaches pipes, like around dryer vents and where pipes enter the house
- Find your main water shutoff and make sure it turns
On cold nights (low 20s or below):
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls
- Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights
- Keep the garage door closed if pipes run through the garage
Before you leave town:
- Keep the heat at 55°F or higher
- Ask someone to check the house every few days
- Consider shutting off the main water valve if the home will be empty for weeks
How to tell if a pipe is frozen
The most common sign is a faucet that gives only a trickle, or nothing, on a cold morning. You may also see frost on an exposed pipe or notice a toilet that won’t refill.
If you think a pipe is frozen, keep the faucet open and warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or space heater. Never use an open flame. If you can’t find or reach the frozen section, call a plumber.
What to do in the first hour after a pipe bursts
- Shut off the main water valve. This stops the damage from growing.
- Turn off power to flooded areas, only if you can reach the breaker without standing in water.
- Call a restoration company. The sooner drying starts, the less has to be torn out.
- Document everything. Photograph the break, the water and damaged belongings before you move anything. Note the date and the low temperature that night. Weather records can support your insurance claim.
- Move valuables off wet floors.
- Skip the household vacuum. It isn’t built for water and is an electrical hazard.
Water coming up in your yard or the street? In most cases, the utility handles breaks in the water main, while pipes on your side of the meter are the homeowner’s responsibility. Call Colorado Springs Utilities if you see water in the street.
Why the first 48 hours matter
The EPA recommends drying wet building materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. Water from a burst pipe soaks into drywall, insulation, carpet pad and subfloor quickly.
Our dry Colorado Springs air can fool you here. Surfaces dry fast and look fine, but moisture trapped inside walls and under floors stays wet and keeps causing damage. A fan and a shop vac can’t find or dry that hidden water.
What professional burst pipe cleanup looks like
As an IICRC-certified company, we follow the IICRC S500 standard for water damage restoration:
- Moisture mapping with thermal imaging and moisture meters to find water inside walls and floors.
- Water extraction with commercial equipment.
- Structural drying with dehumidifiers and air movers, checked daily until materials reach dry standards.
- Daily photo updates so you always know where things stand.
- Insurance documentation, including moisture logs and photos for your adjuster.
- Full rebuild of drywall, flooring, tile and paint by our own team, so you don’t need a second contractor.
“Kept me updated daily with photos of progress, and made sure everything was done as promised.” — Naleia B., Google review
Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes in Colorado?
Most homeowners policies cover water damage from a pipe that bursts suddenly. Coverage can be denied when damage comes from a slow, long-term leak, or when a vacant home wasn’t kept heated. Check your own policy for specifics.
We work with all insurance companies. We’re a restoration company, not an insurance advisor, so talk to your agent about your coverage. For more, read Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage Restoration in Colorado Springs?
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature do pipes freeze in Colorado Springs?
Pipes can freeze whenever temperatures drop below 32°F, but the risk rises sharply in the low 20s and below, especially for pipes in exterior walls, garages, attics and crawl spaces.
When should I winterize my home in Colorado Springs?
By late September. The city’s average first freeze is October 1, according to the National Weather Service.
Should I leave faucets dripping at night?
On the coldest nights, yes. A slow drip keeps water moving and relieves pressure in the pipe, which lowers the chance of a burst.
How fast should I call after a pipe bursts?
Immediately. The EPA recommends drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, and professional drying usually takes several days.
Can I dry a burst pipe leak myself?
Small surface spills, yes. If water soaked into walls, ceilings or under flooring, you need moisture meters and commercial drying equipment to find and dry the hidden water.
Do you handle the repairs after the water is cleaned up?
Yes. Our team handles water cleanup, drying and the full rebuild, including drywall, flooring, tile and painting.
What areas do you serve?
Colorado Springs, Fountain, Security-Widefield, Manitou Springs, Black Forest, Cimarron Hills and nearby communities.
Burst pipe? We answer 24/7
Best Option Restoration of Colorado Springs is a locally owned, IICRC-certified restoration company run by Karim and Cindy Sabbagh. We handle burst pipes from the first call to the final coat of paint, and we work directly with your insurance company.
Call (719) 619-8616 for 24/7 emergency water damage restoration in Colorado Springs.