Frozen Pipes and Winterizing in Bozeman, MT

Why Pipes Freeze in Bozeman

Water expands when it freezes. In a pipe, that pressure can crack copper, split PEX fittings, or burst a line. Often the leak doesn’t show up until the pipe thaws.

The pipes most at risk:

• Pipes in exterior walls, especially on the north side of the house
• Lines in crawl spaces, unheated garages, and basements near the rim joist
• Outdoor hose bibs (spigots) and the pipe just inside the wall
• Plumbing in cabinets on outside walls, like kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Seasonal homes and cabins where the heat is turned down or off
• Pipes near drafts: foundation vents, dryer vents, or gaps around utility penetrations

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Before winter:

• Find your main water shutoff and make sure it turns. Label it so everyone in the house knows where it is.
• Disconnect garden hoses. A hose left connected traps water in the spigot and can cause it to freeze and split.
• Shut off and drain outdoor faucets if they have an interior shutoff valve. Frost-free hose bibs still need the hose disconnected to work properly.
• Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and basements with pipe insulation.
• Seal drafts around foundation vents, rim joists, and where pipes enter the house.
• Blow out or drain sprinkler systems before the first hard freeze.

During a cold snap:

• Keep the heat on, even at night and when you’re away.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air in.
• Let a faucet drip on vulnerable lines. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
• Keep garage doors closed if plumbing runs through the garage.
• Use heat cable (heat tape) only if it’s rated for pipes and installed according to the maker’s instructions.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

Signs of a frozen pipe: a faucet gives only a trickle or nothing at all during cold weather, frost on an exposed pipe, or a toilet that won’t refill.

1. Keep the faucet open. As the ice melts, flowing water helps thaw the rest of the line.
2. Find the frozen section if you can. It’s usually along an exterior wall, in a crawl space, or near where the line enters the house.
3. Warm it gently. Use a hair dryer, a space heater kept a safe distance away, or warm towels.
4. Never use an open flame, like a torch or lighter, on a pipe. It’s a fire hazard and can damage the pipe.
5. Check for leaks as it thaws. A frozen pipe may have already cracked.

If you can’t find the frozen section, can’t safely reach it, or more than one fixture is affected, call us.

What to Do If a Pipe Bursts

A burst pipe can release a lot of water fast. Act quickly:

1. Shut off the main water valve. It’s usually where the water line enters the house, often in the basement, crawl space, utility room, or near the water heater. Turn the handle clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever handle a quarter turn so it’s crosswise to the pipe.
2. Turn off the water heater. Switch off the breaker for an electric heater, or set a gas unit to “off” or “pilot.”
3. Open a faucet at the lowest point in the house to drain the remaining water from the lines.
4. Turn off electricity to any area where water is near outlets or electrical equipment, but only if you can do it safely.
5. Move valuables and start cleanup. Take photos for your insurance.
6. Call My Guy Plumbing, day or night: (406) 600-2177.

Learn more about our 24/7 emergency plumbing.

Winterizing a Cabin or Vacation Home

If you have a cabin, vacation rental, or second home around Big Sky, Gallatin Gateway, West Yellowstone, or anywhere in the valley that sits empty in winter, proper winterizing protects your plumbing until you’re back.

A typical winterization can include:

• Shutting off the main water supply
• Draining the supply lines and fixtures
• Draining or shutting down the water heater
• Blowing out lines with air where needed
• Adding plumbing-safe antifreeze to traps and toilets so standing water doesn’t freeze
• Shutting off and draining outdoor faucets
• Checking for exposed pipes and drafts

Some owners keep the heat on at a low setting instead of fully draining. That works only if the heat stays reliable. A power outage or furnace failure while you’re gone can still freeze pipes. We’ll talk through what makes sense for your property.

In spring, we can de-winterize: restore water, check for leaks, and get your fixtures and water heater back in service.

Related: frozen or slow drains in winter? See our drain cleaning page.

📞 Call (406) 600-2177 · 💬 Text (406) 600-2177

Why Call My Guy Plumbing

• Locally owned, based at 1838 E Valley Center Rd in Bozeman
• 30 years of plumbing experience, including plenty of Montana winters
• Licensed, bonded, and insured. Montana plumbing license #15401
• 24/7 emergency service
• Free estimates

We serve Bozeman, Big Sky, Gallatin Gateway, Livingston, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone. See all our Bozeman plumbing services.

Frozen Pipes FAQ

How do I know if my pipes are frozen?

During cold weather, a faucet that only trickles or runs dry, frost on an exposed pipe, or a toilet that won’t refill are common signs of a frozen pipe.

What should I do first if a pipe bursts?

Shut off your home’s main water valve right away, turn off the water heater, and open a low faucet to drain the lines. Then call a plumber. My Guy Plumbing takes emergency calls 24/7 at (406) 600-2177.

Is it safe to thaw a frozen pipe myself?

You can warm an exposed pipe gently with a hair dryer or warm towels while keeping the faucet open. Never use an open flame. If you can’t find or reach the frozen section, call a plumber.

Should I let my faucets drip in cold weather?

Letting a faucet drip on lines along exterior walls can help keep them from freezing during a cold snap. Keeping the heat on and opening sink cabinets on outside walls also helps.

Do you winterize cabins and vacation homes?

Yes. We winterize and de-winterize cabins, vacation homes, and second homes around Bozeman and the surrounding area. Call or text (406) 600-2177 for a free estimate.