Outdoor hose bibs are among the first plumbing components to freeze on the Western Slope. Average first frost arrives in mid-October, and overnight lows regularly drop below freezing through winter.

Disconnect and store all garden hoses. Close the indoor shut-off valve that supplies each outdoor faucet, then open the outdoor bib to drain remaining water. If your home has older non-frost-proof sillcocks, consider upgrading them. Leave the outdoor faucet slightly open after draining so any residual water can expand without cracking the pipe.

Irrigation systems should be professionally blown out before the first hard freeze. Residual water in valves or lines can crack components when temperatures fall into the teens.

Cooley’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing serves Delta, Montrose, and Mesa counties with outdoor faucet winterization and irrigation blow-outs. Schedule service early so your exterior plumbing is protected.

Key Takeaways

• Disconnect hoses and shut off indoor valves by mid-October.
• Drain lines completely.
• Upgrade older outdoor faucets for better freeze protection.

‍