Winnipeg, MB – With colder winter weather on its way, the City of Winnipeg is recommending property owners weatherproof their basements or crawlspaces to prevent their internal plumbing from freezing.
Internal plumbing that isn’t protected can freeze every winter. Every year, 311 receives a number of reports from properties with no water due to frozen internal plumbing.
Residents are encouraged to take the following preventative measures to keep their plumbing from freezing:
- Turn off the water to outside taps from inside your house. Leave outside taps slightly open to allow any remaining water to expand when freezing. Remove and drain hoses.
- Insulate areas of your home containing water pipes, including crawl spaces, 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.
- 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.
- Set the thermostat no lower than 12°C (55°F) at night and when you are away.
- If you plan to be away, have someone check your house daily to make sure the heat is on and no problems have occurred.
Owners of single-family properties are responsible for their private water service pipe and all 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.
For assistance with thawing frozen internal plumbing, property owners should contact a plumber or follow these do-it-yourself tips.
More information is available at City of Winnipeg - Frozen Water Pipes.