Prep your pipes for winter!

With winter on the way, we’re already experiencing drops in the temperature. And when it’s cold, the water pipes in your home can freeze, leak or burst if they are not properly protected. Learn how to avoid these problems – and subsequent expensive repairs – to keep water flowing in your home all season. 

The equipment most susceptible to freezing outside or in unheated areas are outdoor taps (e.g. garden hoses), sprinkler systems, swimming pools, spas and anything connected to the City of Vaughan’s water distribution system that is exposed to the cold. The best prevention against frozen pipes is keeping them warm enough to stay above the freezing point. 

Take the following steps to prepare your pipes for the cold:

• Going on vacation? Have someone check on your home regularly to ensure it is heated and there are no visible leaks from your pipes.
• If you’re going away, 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.
  • You may even consider placing a space heater in this room.
• Insulate pipes that are near an outside wall, in crawl spaces, attics and cold rooms. 
• 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. 

How to test for leaks

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 on your property. To learn more about checking your water meter, read the City’s water-wise brochure(PDF) and frozen water service brochure (PDF). 

For more information on water services, visit vaughan.ca/water.

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