Winterizing is part of owning a home here
Boise's semi-arid climate brings cold winters, and NOAA's engineering weather data for Boise records an average of about 78 freeze-thaw cycles a year. Each freeze is a risk for pipes in crawlspaces, garages, exterior walls and outdoor fixtures. Most Boise homes have an irrigation system that must be drained or blown out with compressed air before the first hard freeze, or water left in the lines can freeze and crack pipes, fittings and valves. Many homeowners schedule a blowout in fall and a startup in spring.
Protecting the house
- Disconnect garden hoses and protect outdoor spigots. Frost-free hose bibs help only if the hose is removed so the valve can drain.
- Insulate pipes in crawlspaces and garages, and seal openings where cold air reaches them.
- Keep crawlspace vents closed in winter if your home's design calls for it, and check that crawlspace insulation is intact.
- Set the thermostat at a safe minimum when you travel, and consider a shutoff of the main water supply for long trips.
Frost depth and new lines
The City of Boise's adopted code amendments set a minimum frost depth of 24 inches for footings, and buried water lines need similar protection from freezing. If you're adding a service line, a hydrant in the yard, or plumbing to a shop or detached garage, ask the plumber how deep the line will go and how the riser will be protected. Lines that come up through the ground to a spigot or hydrant are a common freeze point.
Spring problems
Many freeze-damaged pipes don't leak until spring, when the irrigation system is turned back on or temperatures rise. Watch for soggy patches in the yard, sprinkler zones that don't come on, and water around the backflow device. Have damaged sections repaired before the main watering season starts.
Water heaters
Water heaters in unheated garages work harder in winter, and their supply lines can freeze. An insulation blanket suitable for your heater and insulated pipes help. If your water heater is in a living space, make sure it has a drain pan and that the relief valve discharge is piped to a safe location.
Before you hire
Ask Boise plumbers whether they handle sprinkler blowouts and backflow devices, how deep they bury new lines, and whether water heater replacements in your area need a permit.
Signs of trouble after a cold snap
After a hard freeze, check the crawlspace or basement for wet insulation or the sound of running water, look at the water meter with everything turned off, and walk the yard for soft spots. Catching a split pipe early limits the water damage and the repair bill. If a pipe has burst, close the main valve first and then call for help.