A Salida Homeowner’s Guide to Winter Plumbing Prep

Protecting Your Chaffee County Home Before the Cold Truly Hits

Even with Salida’s big blue skies and those famously sunny winter days, our weather can still deliver surprise cold snaps, and your plumbing feels every bit of it. Anyone who's spent a winter in Salida, Poncha Springs, or Buena Vista knows the drill: warm afternoons, freezing nights, and temperature swings that can sneak up on even the most prepared homeowner.

And because many homes in Chaffee County are older, beautifully renovated, or built in unique mountain settings, winter plumbing prep isn’t just a task… it’s essential.

Here’s your friendly, local guide to keeping your home’s plumbing safe, warm, and running smoothly all winter long.

1. Book a Pre-Winter Plumbing Inspection

Winter in Salida isn’t the same every year. One week you’re walking downtown in a light jacket… and the next you’re waking up to pipes that wish you’d been a bit more proactive.

A pre-winter inspection helps you catch:

• early signs of root intrusion (common with mature trees in downtown Salida)

• cracks in older supply lines

• slow drains from autumn debris

• weaknesses in crawlspace or exterior wall plumbing

• signs of corrosion in historic homes

• plumbing exposed on exterior walls

  
  

Most local plumbers use sewer scopes now, a tiny camera that can navigate pipe bends and show exactly what’s going on beneath your home, without digging.

Tip: Book early. Between Salida, Poncha Springs, Buena Vista, and Nathrop, local pros get busy fast once temperatures start dipping.

2. Insulate Exposed Indoor Pipes (Especially in Mountain Homes)

Homes across Salida, Poncha Springs, and Buena Vista often have pipes running through chilly areas like:

• crawlspaces

• garages

• under-sink cabinets on exterior walls

• mechanical rooms beside uninsulated foundations

  
  

Insulation sleeves are inexpensive, effective, and incredibly easy to install. You just cut the foam and slide it on. This tiny step can prevent frozen pipes, and thousands in repairs.

3. Open Cabinet Doors During Cold Snaps

If your kitchen or bathroom sits on an exterior wall (very common in older Salida bungalows and mountain cabins), pipes inside those cabinets get cold fast.

Just open the cabinet doors to let warm indoor air circulate.

Yes, it feels a little funny at first, but ask anyone who’s lived through a Chaffee County freeze… It’s simple, it’s free, and it works.

Important: This only helps if your home is sealed well. If cold air is seeping in through gaps, cracks, or old windows, warm cabinet air won’t fix the root issue.

4. Winterize Outdoor Hoses & Spigots

Salida’s climate can be deceiving. We get plenty of sunshine, but hose bibs can still freeze, and when they do, they can burst pipes inside your walls.

Before winter:

1. Detach all hoses.

2. Turn off each outdoor spigot’s interior shut-off valve.

3. Drain the remaining water by opening the outdoor faucet.

4. Add a faucet cover for insulation.

   
   

If your home has an irrigation or sprinkler system, very common in Poncha Springs and newer subdivisions, be sure to: turn off the exterior sprinkler valve and  blow out the lines if needed

This alone can save homeowners thousands in spring repairs.

5. Seal Drafts Around Plumbing Areas

A tiny draft can freeze a pipe faster than a snowstorm.

In Salida’s mingling of historic homes, mountain cabins, and 90s-built houses, drafts are more common than you’d think, especially around older foundations, crawlspace entries, and utility passes.

Check for cold air around:

• basement and crawlspace access

• wall penetrations

• exterior plumbing exits

• older window frames

• dryer or vent openings

  
  

Use silicone caulk or expanding foam to block these air leaks. It’s one of the most overlooked, and most effective, winter plumbing protections.

6. Keep Your Home at a Consistent Temperature

Salida homeowners tend to be energy-conscious (and rightfully so). But don’t let your home drop below 55°F in winter, especially if you're out of town for the weekend.

Slow, steady heat helps protect interior plumbing and prevents wall pipes from cooling too quickly.

Understanding Winter Plumbing in Salida & Chaffee County

Winter in our valley isn’t always harsh… but it is unpredictable. A sunny morning doesn’t guarantee a mild night, and those quick swings can stress even a well-maintained system.

The homes here, from cozy downtown cottages to modern builds overlooking the Arkansas River, all have their quirks. Taking a little time now to protect your plumbing keeps everything running smoothly, gives you peace of mind, and helps you truly enjoy winter the way it’s meant to be enjoyed: snow days, hot drinks, mountain adventures, and the cozy comfort of home.

Want more local home-care tips?

We share monthly, seasonal, and homeowner-friendly guides to help you: 

✨ protect your investment 

✨ understand our climate 

✨ and keep your home working beautifully year-round

If you ever need help finding a trusted local vendor, plumbers, inspectors, contractors  just reach out. We’re always happy to share our vetted local list.

And if you’re thinking about buying or selling in Salida this year, let’s talk.

We’d love to help you make your mountain-living goals a reality.