From the Wyo Stays team. Educational information — not a substitute for a licensed plumber/contractor.
A burst pipe is the most expensive preventable disaster in a Wyoming rental. It floods the property, takes it offline for weeks, and can run five figures. Here's how to make sure it never happens to you.
Before the first hard freeze
- Insulate and heat-tape vulnerable pipes — anywhere near exterior walls, crawlspaces, or unheated areas.
- Service the furnace / heat source and stock filters. A failed furnace in January is a freeze event.
- Know and label the main water shut-off — the single most important thing in a freeze emergency.
- Shut off and drain exterior faucets; disconnect hoses.
- Seal drafts — weatherstripping, door sweeps, outlet gaskets on exterior walls.
- Protect the hot tub with proper freeze settings.
Keep it from freezing while occupied or vacant
- Never let the heat go fully off in winter — hold a safe minimum temperature even when vacant.
- On deep-cold nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let faucets drip.
- Post a laminated "If a Pipe Freezes" card for guests: shut off the main, open faucets, call [your number].
The guest-facing piece
Winter guests don't know Wyoming cold. Give them: - Clear thermostat/wood-stove instructions (and a minimum setting request) - The shut-off location - Your emergency number and the freeze card
Your winterization checklist
- ☐ Vulnerable pipes insulated + heat-taped, tested
- ☐ Furnace serviced; filters stocked
- ☐ Main shut-off labeled and known
- ☐ Exterior faucets off and drained
- ☐ Drafts sealed
- ☐ Hot tub freeze protection set
- ☐ Minimum-heat rule in place for vacant periods
- ☐ "If a pipe freezes" card posted for guests
→ Unlock the printable winterization checklist, or → get a free evaluation — for out-of-area owners, freeze protection is exactly the peace of mind a local team provides.