How Calgary Homeowners Can Help Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter
A Calgary cold snap can put more than your furnace to the test.
Water lines located in cold areas of a home can be vulnerable when temperatures drop significantly.
A frozen pipe is inconvenient.
A frozen pipe that bursts can become an expensive plumbing emergency.
Fortunately, homeowners can take several practical steps to reduce the risk.
Know Which Pipes Are Most Vulnerable
Water lines are more vulnerable when they are exposed to cold air or located in poorly heated parts of the house.
Pay particular attention to plumbing around:
- Exterior walls
- Garages
- Crawlspaces
- Utility areas
- Basement mechanical rooms
- Outdoor hose connections
- Cabinets located against exterior walls
If you have had freezing problems in the past, that area deserves extra attention before the next cold spell.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Before winter arrives, disconnect garden hoses from outdoor connections.
Leaving hoses attached can interfere with proper drainage and expose exterior plumbing components to freezing conditions.
Preparing outdoor plumbing should be part of every Calgary homeowner’s fall maintenance routine.
Keep Your Home Heated
If you are going away during winter, do not simply shut off the heat.
Your home’s plumbing depends on the surrounding building temperature for protection.
If you will be away for an extended period, consider having someone periodically check the property.
Open Cabinets When Necessary
During particularly cold conditions, plumbing inside cabinets along exterior walls may receive less warm household air.
Opening cabinet doors beneath sinks can allow more warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
Make sure household chemicals and other unsafe materials remain inaccessible to children and pets.
Watch for Early Warning Signs
A frozen pipe does not always announce itself dramatically.
One of the earliest warning signs can be a significant reduction or complete loss of water flow from a fixture.
If a faucet suddenly stops producing water during extreme cold, do not ignore it.
What Should You Do if You Suspect a Frozen Pipe?
If you suspect that a pipe has frozen, act carefully.
Do not use:
- Open flames
- Torches
- Improvised high-temperature heating methods
These can create fire hazards, damage plumbing or create other safety risks.
If you cannot safely identify and address the problem, call a professional plumber.
What Happens if the Pipe Bursts?
If a frozen pipe breaks:
- Shut off the home’s main water supply if it is safe to do so.
- Protect surrounding property from additional water damage.
- Avoid electrical hazards.
- Call a professional plumber.
- Document any resulting property damage once the situation is safe.
Knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located before an emergency happens can save valuable time.
Prepare Before the Temperature Drops
Winter plumbing preparation does not need to be complicated.
A few minutes spent checking vulnerable areas in the fall can potentially save you from discovering a plumbing emergency during the coldest night of the year.
Hansen Plumbing provides residential plumbing and emergency plumbing service throughout Calgary.
If you suspect a frozen or burst pipe, call 403-248-2996.
Emergency service is available 24/7.
Honest. Fair. Reliable.
