It’s not too late to protect your water pipes
Whether you’re going away on vacation or just for the weekend, don’t forget about your home’s water pipes! When the temperature outside drops, pipes are more susceptible to freezing, leaking or bursting. The best way to prevent this from happening is by keeping them warm enough to stay above freezing.
Follow these tips from the City of Vaughan to help keep your home’s pipes protected from the cold:
- If you are away for an extended period of time, have someone check on your home regularly to ensure it is heated and there are no visible leaks from your pipes.
- Shut off your property’s main indoor water shut-off valve and drain your pipes.
- If you shut off your indoor water supply, turn off your water heater to prevent it from burning out.
- Turn off outdoor taps – the shut-off valve is typically in the basement of a home. Once this is done, keep the outdoor taps in the open position so any water remaining in the pipe can expand in the spring without causing the pipe to burst.
- Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses and faucets. Winterize sprinkler systems, pools and spas as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Ensure areas that contain indoor water pipes are kept above 8 C (46 F), especially near the water meter.
- Insulate pipes that are near an outside wall, in crawl spaces and attics.
- Seal any air leaks that allow cold air to come inside your home.
- If you have water supply lines in your garage, keep the door closed as much as possible.
- Watch for frost or condensation on your pipes or a drop in your water pressure throughout the winter.
What to do if you suspect a frozen pipe
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining and replacing water pipes inside their homes and from the home to the property line. The City is responsible for pipes beyond the property line, typically marked by the curb box in the lawn or driveway.
If you suspect your pipes are frozen, contact a licensed plumber to have them thawed. In the unlikely case the plumber suspects the water service is frozen from the City’s watermain, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. The City will send a licensed water operator to investigate.
A simple way to test for leaks is to ensure water is not being used in your home at the end of the day. In other words, avoid running washing machines, dishwashers, sprinklers or toilets at night and record the number on your water meter. Do not use any water or flush any toilets overnight. Then in the morning, check the number on your water meter. If the number has changed, you may have a water leak somewhere inside or outside of your home. To learn more about checking your water meter, read the City’s water-wise brochure (PDF) and frozen pipes brochure (PDF). For more information, visit vaughan.ca/water.
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