When the temperature drops across Steinbach and Winnipeg, your plumbing is on the front line. Freezing water expands with enough force to crack copper, PVC and PEX. When the ice thaws, one burst pipe can release hundreds of litres into your home in a few hours.
Early warning signs
- Low water pressure. Only a trickle from the tap usually means ice in the line.
- Visible frost on exposed pipes in the basement, crawlspace or under sinks on exterior walls.
- Strange odours from drains, when ice blocks the normal venting.
Four steps to protect your plumbing
1. Insulate vulnerable pipes
Wrap lines in garages, attics, crawlspaces and exterior walls with foam or fiberglass sleeves, and seal the seams completely.
2. Let the faucet drip
On the coldest nights, a slow steady drip keeps water moving and relieves pressure if ice starts to form.
3. Open cabinet doors
Pipes under sinks are cut off from your home's heat. Open the doors so warm air can reach them.
4. Seal drafts and cracks
Check where pipes run near the exterior and seal gaps with caulk or foam. A thin draft of −30°C air can freeze a pipe in hours.
If a pipe freezes or bursts
Leave the faucet open so melting water has somewhere to go. And know where your main shut-off valve is. If a pipe bursts, turning it off is the only way to stop the flooding.