Stars and Bars RestorationAs of this week, the National Weather Service has posted a Freeze Watch for the Monument Ridge/Rampart Range area north of Colorado Springs and a Freeze Warning for the San Luis Valley around Alamosa. Pueblo and the rest of the Front Range are not far behind. If you haven't winterized the outside of your house yet, now is the time. [Source: api.weather.gov active alerts, Oct 14, 2026]
Why outdoor plumbing is the weak point
A hose left attached to a spigot traps water inside the faucet. When that water freezes it expands, and the split happens inside the wall, not where you can see it. You won't know until spring, when you turn the water on and it sprays into the wall cavity or basement ceiling. We see this every year.
The 15-minute checklist
- Disconnect all hoses and drain them. Store them inside.
- Shut off the interior valve that feeds each outdoor spigot (often in the basement or crawl space), then open the outside spigot to drain.
- Install insulated covers on hose bibs. They cost a few dollars at any hardware store.
- Blow out sprinkler lines. Irrigation systems should be drained with compressed air by someone who knows the right pressure. Shut off and drain the backflow preventer too.
- Check crawl-space vents and foundation gaps where cold air blows on supply lines.
- Know where your main shutoff is. If a pipe does split, every minute matters.
Frost-free spigots aren't foolproof
Frost-free sillcocks have a long stem so the valve seat sits inside the heated wall. But they only work if they slope slightly downward so they drain. A hose left on will defeat them as well.
If a pipe has already burst
Shut off the main water valve, switch off electricity to wet areas if you can do so safely, and call us. Don't wait for it to dry on its own. Water behind drywall can grow mold in 24 to 48 hours. Our guides to frozen pipes in Alamosa and mountain-town frozen pipes in Westcliffe go deeper on thawing and prevention.
What we do
Stars & Bars is veteran-owned, IICRC certified, and based in Colorado City. We extract water, dry structures with monitored equipment, and document everything for insurance. See our water damage restoration service and our Pueblo and Colorado Springs service area pages. If you rent, cabins and second homes are especially at risk, so read our cabin winterizing guide.
Do it this weekend
Freeze warnings are the reminder, but the real deadline is whenever the first hard night arrives. Call (719) 676-2456 if you find a leak, a wet wall, or a burst line. We answer 24/7.
Questions? (719) 676-2456.