How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Wyoming

Wyoming winters are beautiful but brutal. When temperatures drop below freezing for weeks at a time, the Big Horn Basin can turn your home's plumbing into a disaster waiting to happen. Frozen pipes don't just stop water flow — they can burst, flood your home, and cost thousands of dollars to repair.

The good news? Frozen pipes are almost entirely preventable with some smart preparation and maintenance. After four decades of serving Cody and the surrounding communities, the team at Wrangler Plumbing has helped countless homeowners keep their pipes flowing all winter long. Here's what we've learned works.

Why Wyoming Pipes Freeze (And Why Your Home Is at Risk)

Water freezes at 32 degrees F, but pipes can freeze at temperatures above that, especially if they're exposed to wind or poor insulation. In Wyoming, we're not just dealing with cold — we're dealing with sustained cold. We get multi-week stretches where daytime highs don't break 15 degrees F, and nighttime lows plunge to -20 degrees F or worse.

Pipes in unheated spaces are your biggest risk: attics, crawl spaces, basements, and exterior walls. Water inside those pipes moves slowly or sits still, giving the cold plenty of time to do its damage.

Step 1: Insulate Your Pipes

The most effective defense against frozen pipes is insulation. If you haven't already, this should be your first priority.

Pipe Insulation Types

• Foam pipe sleeves are the easiest DIY option. They're cheap (a few dollars per foot), slip over the pipe, and require only basic tools. Find them at any hardware store in Cody or Powell.
• Fiberglass wrap works for odd-shaped areas and fittings. It's slightly messier to install but provides excellent coverage.
• Heat tape (electric cable) is the most expensive option but the most reliable. It wraps around the pipe and provides active heating when temperatures drop.

Focus on pipes in your crawl space, basement, attic, and any exterior wall penetrations. Don't forget the hose bib connections on the outside of your house — those freeze first.

Step 2: Maintain Your Thermostat

Never let your home temperature drop below 55 degrees F, even when you're away. Interior walls maintain heat better than exterior walls, but pipes in exterior walls and unheated spaces still need that internal temperature buffer.

If you use a smart thermostat, program it to maintain minimum temps even in winter. The cost of a few extra BTUs is nothing compared to the cost of replacing burst pipes and fixing water damage.

In extremely cold snaps (below -10 degrees F), consider bumping the thermostat to 60 degrees F. It's not comfortable for living, but it's cheap insurance.

Step 3: Open Cabinet Doors

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets under sinks create dead zones where pipes can freeze. The warm air from your home doesn't circulate into those tight spaces.

On cold nights, open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. It sounds simple, but it lets heated interior air reach the pipes. This is especially important on exterior walls where cold air leaks in around plumbing penetrations.

Step 4: Let Faucets Drip (Strategically)

When a faucet drips continuously, the water moving through the pipe is much less likely to freeze. Moving water is harder to freeze than standing water.

Open the faucet furthest from your main water supply — usually the kitchen sink on an exterior wall or a bathroom sink on the north side of the house. Just a thin drip is enough. This uses a little water, but it's worth the cost to prevent a burst.

Stop this practice once temperatures return above freezing for a few days. You don't want excess water trickling through your system in spring.

Step 5: Protect Outdoor Faucets and Garden Hoses

Outdoor hose bibs are vulnerable entry points for cold. Before your first freeze:

• Disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Water left in the hose can freeze and expand back into the line, damaging the valve.
• Install hose bib covers or foam insulation over outdoor faucets.
• Shut off the supply valve to outdoor faucets (usually located inside your home in the basement or crawl space), then open the outdoor faucet to drain any remaining water.

This is basic but critical. Many homeowners overlook it, then face burst outdoor lines that go unnoticed until spring.

Step 6: Winterize Your Entire System

If you're leaving your home for an extended period in winter — say, visiting family during the holidays — consider a full winterization service:

• Drain the main water line and pipes
• Shut off the main water supply
• Open all faucets to release pressure
• Blow out exterior lines with compressed air

This is overkill for normal winter months when someone's living in the home, but it's essential if you'll be away for weeks. Wrangler Plumbing handles winterization services for seasonal properties and homeowners planning extended absences.

What If Your Pipes Are Already Frozen? (Don't Panic)

If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out — or only a trickle — you may have frozen pipes. Here's what to do:

Do This:

• Apply heat gently. Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or heating pad on the frozen section. Start near the faucet and work backward.
• Open the faucet. This releases pressure as the ice melts.
• Call a professional. If you can't locate the frozen section, or if you see signs of a burst pipe (water dripping in your attic or basement), call Wrangler Plumbing's emergency service immediately at (307) 587-3713.

Don't Do This:

• Never use an open flame. A torch, lighter, or candle can damage pipes, cause a fire, or harm you.
• Don't ignore it. Frozen pipes often lead to burst pipes. Don't wait for warmth to solve the problem on its own.
• Don't pour hot water on the pipe. The sudden temperature change can actually cause the pipe to burst.

The Bottom Line: An Ounce of Prevention

Frozen pipes are one of the most common (and most preventable) winter plumbing emergencies in Wyoming. A few hours and a couple hundred dollars spent on insulation, winterization, and maintenance now will save you thousands in repair and water damage later.

Start your preparations in fall, before the first freeze. If you're unsure about your home's readiness, Wrangler Plumbing can inspect your system and recommend winterization services tailored to your home.

Stay warm this winter — and keep your pipes warmer.