Winnipeg, MB - With colder temperatures the City is recommending that property owners weatherproof their basements or crawlspaces as unprotected internal plumbing can freeze in winter. Every year, 311 receives reports from properties with no water due to frozen internal plumbing. As of January 13, there have been 41 reports of no water due to frozen internal plumbing.
Internal plumbing refers to any pipes, including fittings, valves and fixtures, which carry water from the point where the private water service pipe enters a building to the taps. Some preventative measures to protect internal plumbing include:
- Insulate areas of your home containing water pipes, including crawlspaces, garages and attics.
- Insulate water pipes (both hot and cold) near the exterior walls, especially those facing north.
- Weather-seal your windows.
- Check for air leaks around electrical outlets, dryer vents and pipes. Seal these leaks with caulking or insulation to keep cold air away from your pipes.
- Heat areas of your home containing water pipes so that warm air will prevent them from freezing.
- Keep the garage door closed if there are water pipes inside.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near outside walls.
Single-family homeowners are responsible for their private water service pipe - from the shut-off valve (usually at the property line) to the taps, including all internal plumbing. For assistance with thawing frozen internal plumbing, property owners must contact a plumber.
City is prepared to respond to underground frozen pipes
To date, one report of underground frozen water pipes has been received this season. During an average winter, the City responds to a small number of reports of underground frozen pipes. The cause is highly variable from property to property and depends on a number of factors such as:
- soil shrinkage around the foundation, which allows deeper frost penetration
- the depth of pipe
- insulation along the length of the pipe
- new properties where the soil hasn’t fully settled
To address frozen pipes on your property, you can contact the City for thawing services at a cost of $318. The City can usually provide same day thawing service (or within 24 hours, depending on when the no water problem is reported to 311). Property owners can also hire a contractor to thaw pipes on their own property if they wish.
More details on preventative measures are listed at City of Winnipeg - Frozen Water Pipes. A summary report on the impact of cold weather on water pipes is available at City of Winnipeg - Cold weather impact on water pipes. The report will be updated weekly until further notice.