Colorado winters have always been unpredictable, but recent years have brought faster temperature drops, deeper freezes, and more sudden cold fronts than many Front Range homeowners are prepared for. Local plumbers say frozen pipe calls have climbed significantly, especially in older neighborhoods across Westminster, Lakewood, Arvada, and Denver.
According to Midwest Plumbing Co. (https://midwestplumbingco.com/), the rise isn’t just due to colder days — it’s the speed at which temperatures now crash. A sunny 45-degree afternoon can turn into a 5-degree night within hours, catching exposed pipes, hose bibbs, crawlspaces, and poorly insulated walls off guard.
These rapid freeze-thaw cycles are exactly what cause pipes to expand, split, and burst — and many homeowners don’t notice until the damage is already severe.
Plumbers report that homes built between the 1950s and 1980s are the most vulnerable due to thinner insulation, unconditioned crawlspaces, and outdated piping layouts. Outdoor spigots and older frost-free hose bibbs are also a major point of failure.
For homeowners who want to prevent these seasonal failures, Midwest Plumbing Co. has a detailed guide here:
https://midwestplumbingco.com/hose-bibs/
Emergency Plumbing Calls Are Spiking During Extreme Weather Events
When temperatures drop suddenly, emergency plumbing calls surge across the city. Midwest Plumbing Co.’s emergency response team
https://midwestplumbingco.com/emergency-plumbing/
often receives double their normal volume within the first hours of a cold snap.
A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in minutes, flooding basements, damaging flooring, and causing long-term mold growth. That’s why plumbers stress early action: locate your home’s main water shutoff valve, check vulnerable areas for drafts, and insulate exposed piping before the first major freeze.
Certain Denver Metro neighborhoods — especially those built on crawlspaces or near foothill slopes — experience colder overnight lows. Midwest Plumbing’s Lakewood service division
https://midwestplumbingco.com/lakewood-co/
reports higher failure rates on Green Mountain and older west-side homes, where freeze exposure is more severe.
What Homeowners Can Do Right Now
- Disconnect garden hoses
- Install insulated spigot covers
- Keep cabinet doors open during cold snaps
- Let faucets drip during extreme lows
- Seal foundation vents and cold air drafts
- Schedule a winter plumbing inspection
Homeowners needing winterization support or plumbing assistance can contact Midwest Plumbing Co. directly:
https://midwestplumbingco.com/contact/
