Winterize your Boise home: a checklist to prevent frozen pipes
Outside the house
- Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses. A hose left on traps water in the faucet, and that is where it splits.
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets (hose bibs). Close the inside shutoff valve that feeds each one, then open the outdoor faucet to let it drain. If you have frost-free sillcocks, removing the hose is the key step.
- Add insulated faucet covers to hose bibs. They cost a few dollars.
- Sprinkler and pressurized irrigation lines: shut off the supply and have the lines blown out with compressed air. Water left in lines, valves and the backflow assembly can freeze and crack them. Never use antifreeze in irrigation lines.
- Seal gaps where pipes, cables and vents enter the house. Cold drafts freeze pipes even when the room feels warm.
Crawl space, garage and attic
- Insulate exposed pipes with foam pipe sleeves. Both hot and cold lines can freeze. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety notes pipe insulation can cost well under a dollar per foot.
- Crawl space vents: in many homes with vented crawl spaces, closing or covering the vents for winter keeps cold air off the pipes. Check first whether a furnace or water heater there needs combustion air.
- Heat cable for pipes that cannot be protected otherwise: use a UL-listed product with a thermostat and follow the instructions exactly.
- Garage: keep the door closed if water lines run through it.
- Attic: check that pipes there are covered by insulation, not lying on top of it.
Inside the house
- Find your main water shutoff and test it. Turn it off and back on. A valve that will not turn is better discovered now than with water on the floor. Tag it so everyone at home can find it.
- Check washing machine and toilet supply hoses. Replace cracked or bulging rubber hoses with braided steel.
- Water heater: check for rust, drips or water in the drain pan. Tank heaters typically last about 10 to 15 years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Add leak sensors under sinks, behind the washer and by the water heater. Smart ones alert your phone.
- Furnace: service it and replace the filter. A furnace that quits on a very cold night can freeze pipes in hours.
Our 24/7 local pro line for Boise and the Treasure Valley is opening soon. Until then: stop the water using the steps on this page, then contact a licensed water damage restoration company in your area. Check that they are licensed and insured before work begins.
Going away this winter?
- Leave the heat on at 55°F or higher (American Red Cross).
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls.
- For longer trips, consider shutting off the main water valve and opening faucets to drain the lines. Note: some boilers and fire sprinkler systems need water; ask a plumber if you have them.
- Ask a neighbor to check the house every few days. Some insurance policies limit frozen-pipe coverage if a home is left unheated or unattended.
The 30-minute walk-through
| Done | Task |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Hoses off, hose bibs shut off inside and drained |
| ☐ | Faucet covers on |
| ☐ | Irrigation shut off and blown out |
| ☐ | Exposed pipes in crawl space, garage, attic insulated |
| ☐ | Gaps around pipes and cables sealed |
| ☐ | Main water shutoff found, tested, tagged |
| ☐ | Washer and toilet hoses checked |
| ☐ | Water heater checked, leak sensors placed |
| ☐ | Furnace serviced |
Quick answers
When should I winterize my house in Boise?
Before the first hard freeze. Average lows at the Boise airport reach about 32°F in November and the mid-20s in December and January, so outdoor faucets, hoses and irrigation lines should be done by early to mid-November.
Do I need to blow out my sprinkler system in Boise?
If your irrigation lines hold water after the season, yes: water left in them can freeze and crack pipes, valves and backflow assemblies. Many homeowners hire an irrigation company to blow lines out with compressed air. Do not put antifreeze in irrigation lines.
Should I close my crawl space vents in winter?
In many Treasure Valley homes with vented crawl spaces, closing or covering the vents for winter keeps cold air off the pipes. Some homes are designed differently, and a gas appliance in the crawl space may need combustion air, so check your home's setup first.
What temperature should I leave my house at when I travel in winter?
The American Red Cross recommends no lower than 55°F. For longer trips, also consider shutting off the main water valve and draining the lines, and ask someone to check the house.
Related
- At what temperature do pipes freeze, and when to drip faucets
- Burst or frozen pipe: the first 60 minutes
- Water damage help in Boise