A little preparation now can prevent expensive problems later. Colorado winters can be hard on your home’s plumbing and outdoor water systems. Taking a little time before freezing temperatures arrive can help protect your property from frozen pipes, damaged equipment and costly repairs.

Here are a few things we recommend checking before winter sets in.

1.Shut Down Your Evaporative Cooler

Before freezing temperatures arrive, your cooler should be shut down and prepared for winter. This typically includes shutting off the water supply, draining the water from the system, and taking the appropriate steps to protect the cooler and its waterlines from freezing.

Why this matters: Water in the system can freeze and expand, potentially damaging components and connections.

2.Blow Out Your Sprinkler System

Your irrigation system should be properly winterized before temperatures drop below freezing.

An irrigation blowout removes water from the sprinkler lines so that the water isn’t left sitting in underground pipes, valves and other components where it can freeze and expand.

Why this matters: Even though much of your sprinkler system is underground, freezing water can still damage pipes, backflow devices and other components.

3.Check Your Outdoor Faucets

Don’t forget about exterior hose bibs and other outdoor water connections. Remove hoses and make sure outdoor faucets are properly shut down for the season. If your home has a freeze resistant or frost-free hose bib, it still needs to be used and maintained properly to work as intended.

Why this matters: A small amount of trapped water can freeze, expand and damage plumbing components.