Canadian winters bring freezing temperatures that can cause pipes to freeze, leading to potential water damage and costly repairs. Knowing how to prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place is crucial. Here are essential winter plumbing tips to help you safeguard your plumbing system during extreme cold.
Identifying Vulnerable Pipes in Your Home
Some pipes in your home are more vulnerable to freezing than others, especially those located in unheated or poorly insulated areas. Once you identify these vulnerable areas, you can take steps before winter hits to prevent the pipes from freezing.
- Exterior Walls: Pipes located on exterior walls are at high risk since they’re exposed to colder temperatures. These include kitchen and bathroom pipes near outside walls.
- Attics and Basements: Unheated attics, basements, and crawl spaces often house plumbing pipes that can freeze during extremely cold weather.
- Garage Pipes: If your garage is unheated, pipes in this area are also prone to freezing.
Keeping Pipes Warm
When temperatures drop to extreme lows, extra precautions are needed to try to prevent pipes from freezing. From added insulation to letting faucets drip, these are some easy tips of how to prevent pipes from freezing in winter.
- Sealing Gaps: Check for gaps around where pipes enter walls or floors and use caulk or spray foam to seal them.
- Foam Pipe Insulation: Foam sleeves or wraps are an easy barrier to apply to pipes in unheated areas like basements or attics.
- Heat Tape: For pipes at higher risk, use heat tape or heat cables that wrap around the pipes and plug into an electrical outlet to provide warmth.
- Let Faucets Drip: Allowing faucets to drip slightly during freezing temperatures keeps water moving through the pipes, reducing the chance of freezing.
- Keep the Heat On: Even if you’re leaving for an extended period, keep your thermostat set to at least 12°C (55°F) to prevent pipes from freezing in your absence. If there are pipes inside cabinets, like under your kitchen sink, leave the cabinet doors open so warm air from your home can reach them.
Signs of Frozen Pipes
Knowing when a pipe has frozen is crucial in preventing further damage. Here are a few tips to identify winter plumbing warning signs so that you can act quickly, whether with home remedies or professional intervention.
- No Water Flow: If you turn on a faucet and only get a trickle of water or no water at all, it’s a sign that a pipe may be frozen.
- Frost on Pipes: Visible frost on the outside of the pipe is another indicator that freezing has occurred.
- Bulging or Cracked Pipes: If the pipe is visibly bulging or cracked, it’s a sign that freezing has caused internal pressure and the pipe may burst. If you see these signs, turn off the water supply immediately and call a professional plumber to inspect and repair.
Thawing Frozen Pipes Safely
Once you’ve identified a frozen pipe, it’s important to thaw it safely to avoid causing further damage. Below are tips for how to prevent freezing pipes from escalating into more serious issues. And if the frozen pipe is inaccessible or you’re unable to thaw it on your own, contact a plumber for professional assistance.
- Identify the Frozen Section: Check for areas where no water is coming out of the faucet or where the pipe feels very cold. Focus your thawing efforts on these sections.
- Use a Hair Dryer: Gently heat the frozen pipe with a hair dryer, starting from the faucet and moving toward the frozen section. Do not use open flames or direct heat which can damage the pipes or cause a fire.
- Apply Heating Pads: Wrap an electric heating pad around the frozen section of the pipe and gradually heat it until the water starts flowing again.
By following these winter plumbing tips, you can protect your home from the risks of frozen pipes and avoid expensive repairs. If you learn these proper insulation and warming techniques, you’ll know how to prevent water pipes from freezing and what to do if they do, so that your plumbing system remains in good condition throughout the winter.
