How can I prevent pipes from freezing while away?
Short answer: Keep the thermostat at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, shut off the main water supply and drain the system, open cabinet doors on exterior walls, insulate pipes in garages and crawl spaces, and set up a smart thermostat or temperature sensor that alerts your phone if the house gets cold. For long winter absences, have the plumbing fully winterized.
Need this handled today?
Call for emergency response in Denver and the surrounding metro.
Call Now for Emergency Help(720) 319-807324/7 Emergency Call HandlingKey Takeaways
- 55 degrees is the commonly recommended minimum unoccupied setting.
- Shutting and draining the system removes the water that would otherwise escape.
- Low-temperature alerts catch a furnace failure before pipes freeze.
- Many policies require reasonable care to maintain heat in an unoccupied home.
- Full winterization is the right answer for seasonal or long-term vacancy.
Layered Protection
- Thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees, with a smart thermostat if possible.
- Main water off and the system drained through the lowest faucets.
- Water heater turned off if the system is drained.
- Cabinet doors open under sinks on exterior walls.
- Pipe insulation on garage, crawl space, and attic runs.
- Low-temperature and water sensors that notify your phone.
- A local contact with keys who can respond.
What Full Winterization Includes
- Shutting and draining supply lines and the water heater.
- Blowing out remaining water with compressed air.
- Adding non-toxic antifreeze to traps and toilets.
- Draining the irrigation system and backflow assembly.
- Documenting the work for insurance purposes.
The Failure Mode To Plan For
A furnace failure during a cold snap is the scenario that defeats every other precaution. If the heat goes out and the water is on, pipes freeze and then burst on thaw with nobody present. That is why temperature alerts and a local contact matter as much as insulation.
Colorado and Denver Considerations
Mountain and foothills properties west of Denver see much colder overnight lows than the metro, and seasonal cabins are routinely winterized rather than heated. For metro homes, maintained heat plus a drained system is the usual approach for trips of a week or more in winter.
Exceptions and Important Considerations
- Homes with hydronic or boiler heat need system-specific handling before draining.
- Fire sprinkler systems must remain in service and heated per their requirements.
- Well systems need protection at the pressure tank and any above-grade equipment.
Related Questions
55 is the commonly recommended floor, because wall cavities and crawl spaces run colder than the thermostat reading.
Only if the water is on. If you shut and drain the system, dripping is unnecessary.
Many policies contain conditions about maintaining heat in an unoccupied dwelling. Document your settings.
Most do, and setting that alert is one of the cheapest protections available.
Burst and Frozen Pipe Damage in Denver
Call (720) 319-8073 for 24/7 emergency response across Denver metro.