Winterizing a Pocatello Home

Outdoor taps and hoses

Disconnect every hose, drain it and store it. If outdoor faucets have shut-off valves inside the house, close them and open the outdoor tap to drain it. A hose left on a frost-free hydrant or hose bib traps water that can freeze and split the valve inside the wall.

Crawl spaces and garages

Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, garages and along exterior walls. Close crawl space vents for winter and seal gaps around the foundation and where pipes and wires enter. Cold drafts are what freeze pipes, so stopping air movement matters as much as insulation.

Irrigation and sprinklers

Close the irrigation supply, drain or blow out the lines and protect the backflow assembly. Note which valves you opened so spring start-up goes smoothly.

Wells and pressure tanks

Make sure the well house or pump room stays above freezing, and check any heater or heat lamp before you need it. Seal drafts around the pressure tank and nearby pipes.

During a cold snap

Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, let a faucet drip slightly and keep the thermostat steady overnight. If you leave for a trip, keep the heat on and ask someone to check the house.

If a pipe freezes

Open the faucet and warm the pipe gently. Never use an open flame. If it has split, close the main and see frozen pipe repair.

Vacant properties

If a home or rental will sit empty for weeks, keep the heat on at a safe level and have someone check it. For longer gaps, consider shutting off the main, draining the lines and turning off the water heater.

More plumbing guides

• Service Lines and Deep Frost
• Finding the Water Shut-Off in a Basement or Crawl Space
• Reading the Water Heater Label
• Is There a Leak? Check Your Meter
• Checking an Idaho Plumbing License