Yes. Winterization and freeze protection are part of what we do — pipe insulation, hose bib protection, air sealing around pipe runs, shutoff valve inspection, and system checks before cold weather arrives. Care Club members get it on a schedule.

What Winterization Covers

  • Insulating pipes in unconditioned space — attics, crawlspaces, garages, exterior walls, and unheated additions. This is where nearly every New Mexico freeze failure happens.
  • Hose bib protection. Frost-proof replacements or insulated covers, plus confirming the bibs actually drain.
  • Air sealing around rim joists, foundation vents, and wall penetrations. Wind driving through a gap freezes a pipe far faster than still cold air, and this step gets skipped constantly.
  • Shutoff valve inspection. Old valves seize. Discovering that during a burst pipe at 2 a.m. is the worst possible time — we verify yours actually turns.
  • Water heater and system check before the season.
  • Vacant property preparation — draining the system for homes that will sit empty.

Why This Matters More Here Than People Expect

Albuquerque and Santa Fe winters are mild on average and sharp at the extremes. That combination produces two problems: local homes are often built with less freeze protection than colder climates require, and homeowners are not in the habit of preparing because most nights do not demand it. Then a cold snap arrives and the entire metro floods with burst pipe calls simultaneously.

What the Care Club Adds

Scheduled seasonal service so winterization actually happens rather than getting remembered too late, annual plumbing inspections, member pricing on repairs, and priority dispatch during the exact weeks when demand spikes.

What You Can Do Yourself

Disconnect garden hoses before the first freeze. During hard freezes, let a faucet drip and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls. Keep the thermostat steady rather than setting back overnight. Never set below 55 degrees when traveling.

Beyond Plumbing

Attic and wall insulation protects pipes and cuts heating costs at the same time, and a fall furnace tune-up reduces the odds of a heating failure that leaves the house cold.

Contact B. Carlson about freeze protection in Albuquerque.