The routine, in order
- Disconnect hoses. In October, remove garden hoses from outdoor taps and close the indoor shut-off for each tap, then open the outdoor tap to drain it.
- Find the risk spots. Walk the basement and look for pipes against exterior walls, near rim joists and in unheated spaces.
- Insulate. Fit foam pipe insulation on exposed lines and seal drafts around rim joists and where pipes enter the house.
- Keep heat on. Even when away, keep the thermostat at a reasonable level. Do not turn the heat off in an occupied house.
- Open cabinet doors. On the coldest nights, open doors under sinks on outdoors walls so warm air reaches the pipes.
- Let a tap drip. A slow drip on a vulnerable line relieves pressure and keeps water moving.
- Know your shut-off. Make sure everyone in the house can find and close the main valve.
Why this matters in Pickering
Pickering sees several nights each winter well below minus fifteen, and wind chill makes exposed walls colder still. Pipes along exterior walls, in garages, crawl spaces and unheated additions are the first to freeze. When water freezes it expands, and pressure builds in the pipe until something gives. The burst often happens at a fitting or a weak point, sometimes far from where the ice formed. Damage shows up when the pipe thaws.
Call if you cannot locate or reach the frozen section, if the pipe is inside a finished wall or ceiling, or if any part of it has split.
Slips worth avoiding
- Using an open flame to melt a pipe. It is a fire risk and can harm the pipe.
- Assuming a frost-free outdoor tap is safe with a hose still attached. The hose traps water inside.
- Closing heating vents in a basement room that has water lines.
- Leaving a cottage or second property unheated without draining the plumbing.
Time to ring a plumber
Call if you cannot locate or reach the frozen section, if the pipe is inside a finished wall or ceiling, or if any part of it has split. If water is spraying, close the main shut-off first. We can thaw lines safely, repair damage and suggest changes to stop the problem returning, such as rerouting a vulnerable pipe or adding a frost-free hose bib.
A short fall checklist
Pair this routine with the sump pump spring check and you have a twice-yearly habit that catches most seasonal problems. If a drain line freezes or clogs with ice and debris, hydro-jetting can clear it once thawed.
Garages deserve their own look. Lines feeding a garage sink or a laundry against the garage wall freeze long before indoor pipes. Keep the overhead door closed on cold days, and consider rerouting a line that sits against an uninsulated wall.
Questions callers ask
What temperature do pipes freeze at?
Pipes in unheated or exposed spaces can freeze when outdoor temperatures drop below about minus six for an extended period, depending on insulation and wind.
Should I shut the water off when travelling in winter?
Before a trip longer than a weekend, shutting the main while leaving the heat running is a sensible precaution.