Denver-area winters can be mild one day and brutal the next. On December 21, 2022, an arctic front dropped the temperature at Denver International Airport, just northeast of Commerce City, by 37 degrees in a single hour, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. Pipes that were fine at lunch can freeze by dinner when that happens.
Where pipes freeze in north metro homes
- Outdoor faucets (hose bibs). A “frost-free” faucet can still split inside the wall if a hose is left connected and water can’t drain out.
- Sprinkler systems. Backflow preventers and lines that were not blown out before the first hard freeze often crack.
- Garages and exterior walls. Pipes running to a garage sink, laundry, or a kitchen on an outside wall.
- Crawl spaces and unheated basements, especially near rim joists where cold air leaks in.
- Vacant or vacation homes where the heat was turned down too far.
Why the leak often shows up later
Ice in a pipe can hold back the water. The real flood often starts when temperatures rise and the ice melts, sometimes days after the cold snap. If you notice low water pressure during a freeze, a hissing sound, a wet ceiling stain, or water at the base of a wall, shut off the main and look for the break before it thaws fully.
First steps after a pipe bursts
- Close the main shutoff. In many homes here it is in the basement, crawl space, or near the water heater.
- Open a faucet at the lowest point of the house to drain the lines.
- Keep away from water near outlets, the electrical panel, or ceiling lights.
- Take photos and video of the damage and the broken pipe if you can see it.
- Call a plumber for the repair, and call {{PHONE}} for a referral to a provider who handles the water damage side.
What the cleanup usually involves
Burst pipes often soak areas you can’t see: the inside of walls, the top of a ceiling below a bathroom, or the subfloor under laminate. Restoration providers typically open small sections of drywall to let cavities dry, extract water from flooring, and set drying equipment with daily moisture readings. Ask how they plan to dry inside walls without tearing out more than needed.
Prevention for next winter
- Disconnect hoses and have the sprinkler system blown out before the first freeze.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls during cold snaps.
- Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights.
- Keep the heat on (many people use 55°F or higher) if you travel.
- Seal drafts near pipes in the garage and rim joists.
Source: National Weather Service Boulder, December 2022 climate summary.
Related: water damage restoration, flooded basement cleanup, and mold remediation if the leak went unnoticed for a while.
Quick answers
Is a burst pipe usually covered by homeowners insurance?
Policies vary. Sudden pipe bursts are often treated differently than slow leaks or damage from a home left without heat. Check your own policy and talk to your insurer.
Should I use a hair dryer on a frozen pipe?
If you can reach the pipe safely and there is no standing water, gentle heat is a common approach. Never use an open flame. If you are unsure, call a plumber.