Prepared for the winter?

Learn how to protect your water pipes from freezing, leaking or bursting

With the winter season around the corner, we can expect it to keep getting colder outside. Low temperatures can cause your home’s water pipes to freeze, leak or burst if they are not properly protected. Have you prepared your home for the season?

If not, don’t worry! Here are some tips you can use to help keep water flowing at your home all season:

• Whether you’re going away for the weekend or on an extended vacation, arrange for someone to check on your home regularly to ensure it is heated and there are no visible leaks from your pipes.
• Before 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 located 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 your pipes are frozen

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 check for water leaks

Most home water leaks are silent, which makes them hard to detect. To test for leaks on your property, record the number on your water meter before you go to bed, then avoid running sprinklers, washing machines, dishwashers or toilets overnight. In the morning, check the number on your water meter. If the number has changed, it’s because water has passed through the meter, which means you may have a leak somewhere inside or outside your home.

You may also want to test your toilets for leaks, as they are among the most common household water leaks. Visit the City’s leak prevention webpage to learn how to check for a leaky toilet, read our leak detection guide (PDF) or watch this instructional video.

To learn more about the City’s water services, visit vaughan.ca/water.

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