Most people don’t think about frozen pipes in the desert. But Las Vegas does get freezing nights in winter, especially in the higher parts of the valley like Summerlin, Centennial Hills and the southwest. Because homes here aren’t built for cold, the pipes most exposed to the weather can freeze and split during a cold snap.
Which pipes are most at risk
Outdoor hose bibs
Outdoor faucets are the most common freeze problem we see. A hose left connected traps water in the faucet, and when it freezes the pipe can crack inside the wall. You may not know until spring, when you turn it on and water runs into the wall or the garage.
Irrigation backflow preventers
The brass assembly above ground where your sprinkler or drip system connects is completely exposed. A hard freeze can crack its body or damage the parts inside.
Pool and spa equipment lines
Exposed piping at the pool pad can freeze if the pump isn’t running on a cold night. Many pool systems have a freeze protection setting. Check that yours is on.
Pipes in attics, garages and exterior walls
Some Las Vegas homes have water lines running through the attic or along exterior walls with little insulation. On a cold night those lines can get much colder than the rest of the house.
How to protect your plumbing before a cold snap
- Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets and drain them.
- Cover outdoor faucets with an insulated faucet cover from the hardware store.
- Insulate the backflow preventer with an insulated pouch or blanket made for backflow assemblies, and wrap any exposed pipe with foam pipe insulation.
- Keep the garage door closed if you have a water heater, softener or pipes in the garage.
- On the coldest nights, let a faucet on an outside wall drip slightly and open the cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
- Know where your main shutoff is so you can stop the water fast if a pipe does break. Here’s how to find it.
If you think a pipe is frozen
- If a faucet only trickles or nothing comes out on a freezing morning, a pipe may be frozen.
- Leave the faucet open so water can flow as it thaws.
- Warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or space heater kept at a safe distance. Never use an open flame.
- Check for leaks as it thaws. If you see water, shut off the main valve and call a plumber.
If a pipe bursts
Shut off the water at the main valve right away, turn off the power to anything wet, move belongings out of the water and call us. A burst pipe can release a lot of water quickly, and the sooner it’s stopped the less damage you’ll have.
Call TPM Services at 702-932-5755. Our phone is answered 24/7. More about our 24/7 emergency plumbing and leak detection.
