Stars and Bars RestorationWhen a winter storm knocks out the power across Custer, Huerfano, or Fremont County, the first thing most folks worry about is staying warm. The second thing, usually a day later, is the water in the walls. We've been doing restoration in Southern Colorado long enough to know that a power outage is really a slow-motion pipe problem, especially up in Rye, Beulah, Cuchara, and Westcliffe where overnight lows drop well below zero.
Why outages cause burst pipes
Your furnace blower, thermostat, well pump, and often your boiler circulator all run on electricity. Even gas heat usually stops without power. Once the house cools below freezing for long enough, water in exterior walls, crawl spaces, and garages starts to freeze. Pipes rarely burst while frozen. They burst when the ice melts and pressure shifts, which is often right when the power comes back on and you're not paying attention.
Before the storm hits
- Know where your main water shutoff is and test that it turns.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls.
- Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights if power is shaky.
- Fill a few jugs with water for drinking and flushing.
- Charge phones and keep a battery radio handy.
For more on prepping a seasonal property, see our cabin winterizing guide.
If the power goes out
- Dress in layers and close off rooms you don't need so you hold heat in a smaller space.
- If it'll be more than several hours in deep cold, shut off the main water valve and open faucets to drain the lines. Flush toilets once to empty the tank if you can.
- Never run a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors or in an attached garage. Carbon monoxide kills people every winter in Colorado. Generators belong outside, well away from windows and doors.
- Don't use your oven to heat the house.
When the power comes back
Don't just walk away. Walk the house and look at ceilings, walls under bathrooms, and the area around your water heater. Listen for running water. Turn the main valve back on slowly and check again after ten minutes. A small drip from a split fitting turns into a flooded basement fast.
If you find a burst pipe, shut off the main, shut off electricity to the affected area if water is near outlets (only if you can do it safely, otherwise call an electrician), and start pulling up what's wet. Our first hard freeze guide covers outdoor lines too.
Food, fridges, and sewage
A closed fridge keeps food cold roughly four hours, a full freezer about two days if the door stays shut. When in doubt, throw it out. If you're on a septic system with an electric pump or a lift station, outages can cause backups too. See our septic backup guide.
What to do about the water damage
Water from a thawed supply line is clean water at first, but it turns into a problem after 24 to 48 hours as drywall, insulation, and flooring stay wet and mold gets going. Pull up soaked carpet and pad, run fans, and open windows when weather allows. Photograph everything before you move it, because your insurance adjuster will want it. Our documentation checklist walks through it.
Mountain roads and snow can make response slow, but that's the job. We serve Rye, Beulah, Westcliffe, and the rest of the valley, and our team includes IICRC-certified technicians. Learn more about our water damage restoration work.
We're veteran-owned and family-run out of Colorado City, so these are our neighbors. If a storm took your power and left you with water where it shouldn't be, call us at (719) 676-2456. We answer around the clock, and you can reach us anytime on our emergency page or at (719) 676-2456.