Cold-Weather Pipes

Water expands when it freezes and can burst pipes. Once the water comes back, the leak can do serious damage.

Before winter

• Find your main water shut-off and learn how to close it.
• Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces and attics.
• Seal air leaks around windows, doors, baseboards and outlets.
• Disconnect hoses, drain and shut off outdoor taps, and leave them slightly open.

In a cold snap

• Keep the thermostat at no less than 55°F (12°C to 13°C), especially at night and when you are away.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks so room air can reach the pipes.
• Let a faucet run at a pencil-sized trickle, ideally on an exterior wall. In a two-storey home, run one upstairs as well.
• Keep garage doors closed if water lines run nearby.

If the power is out in freezing weather

Canada.ca suggests learning how to drain your plumbing before a winter outage. The right steps depend on your home and your water heater, so ask a plumber to show you before winter.

If a pipe freezes

1. Shut off water at the main right away.
2. Call a licensed plumber.
3. Never thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame.
4. A hair dryer may be used carefully, and only if you are not near standing water and a plumber says it is fine.
5. After thawing, turn water back on slowly and watch for leaks.

Going away? Ask someone to check on the house regularly, and check your insurance policy for how often that needs to happen.