How to Winterize Your Plumbing System to Avoid Freezing Pipes

Winter in Edmonton can be harsh. With temperatures regularly dipping below freezing, the risk of frozen pipes becomes a serious concern for homeowners and businesses alike. A frozen pipe can burst, leading to extensive water damage and expensive repairs. Fortunately, winterizing your plumbing system is a simple yet effective way to avoid such disasters.

At Aqua Plumbing and Heating Ltd., we’ve been serving the Edmonton community since 1985, providing expert plumbing and heating services for residential, commercial, and emergency needs. Our team is well-versed in the unique challenges Edmonton homeowners face when it comes to winter plumbing issues, and we’re here to help guide you through the process of winterizing your plumbing system.

This blog will explain why winterizing your plumbing is essential, how to do it properly, and the steps you can take to prevent frozen pipes from causing serious problems this winter.

Why Winterizing Your Plumbing is Crucial

The main threat to your plumbing system during the winter months is the risk of freezing pipes. When water in pipes freezes, it expands. This can cause the pipes to crack or burst, potentially leading to significant water damage once the ice thaws. Not only do you face the cost of replacing the damaged pipes, but the damage caused by the flooding can be extensive, affecting walls, floors, and furniture.

While the majority of homes and businesses in Edmonton have plumbing systems that are designed to withstand cold temperatures, it’s important to take proactive steps to ensure the system operates safely and efficiently during the winter months. Freezing pipes are one of the most common reasons for costly plumbing repairs in the winter, and with a bit of preparation, they can be avoided.

Step 1: Insulate Your Pipes

The first step to winterizing your plumbing system is insulating exposed pipes. This is particularly important for pipes located in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls. Insulating these pipes will help protect them from the frigid temperatures.

How to insulate your pipes:

• Foam Pipe Insulation: Foam pipe insulation is one of the most common and cost-effective ways to protect your pipes from the cold. It’s available in various sizes and is easy to install around exposed pipes.
• Heating Tape: Heating tape is an electrical solution that wraps around pipes and warms them to keep the water flowing. It’s a good option for especially cold or vulnerable areas like outdoor faucets.
• Insulation Sleeves: If foam insulation isn’t available, you can use fiberglass or rubber insulation sleeves, which also provide adequate protection.

When applying insulation, be sure to cover all vulnerable pipes completely. Pay special attention to areas that are more exposed to the cold, such as those near windows or doors, which may not have as much insulation from the surrounding environment.

Step 2: Seal Gaps and Cracks

Pipes can freeze due to cold drafts that infiltrate your home or business, so sealing cracks and gaps in your walls, floors, and windows is essential. Cold air can easily penetrate through these openings and freeze pipes near exterior walls.

How to seal gaps and cracks:

• Check the Exterior of Your Home or Building: Look for gaps around windows, doors, or where pipes enter the building. Seal these cracks with weatherstripping, caulk, or foam sealant to reduce the risk of cold air reaching your pipes.
• Seal the Attic and Crawl Space: Attics and crawl spaces are often prime locations for freezing pipes, as they are not always well-insulated or heated. Be sure these areas are sealed tightly to prevent cold air from affecting your plumbing.
• Use Foam Sealant: Use expanding foam sealant to fill any gaps or cracks around your plumbing system where cold air might enter. This provides a more permanent solution than other materials and offers better protection.

Properly sealing gaps will help maintain a consistent temperature in your home and keep the plumbing system insulated from freezing conditions.

Step 3: Keep the Heat On

It’s tempting to reduce your heating costs by lowering the temperature in your home when you're away or when you're on vacation. However, it’s important to maintain a minimum temperature—typically no lower than 12°C (55°F)—even when you're not home.

How to maintain a consistent temperature:

• Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat can help you maintain a consistent temperature without constantly adjusting the heat. Even if you're out of town, you can set the thermostat to maintain a safe temperature for your plumbing.
• Keep Cabinet Doors Open: If you have pipes under sinks, especially those located near exterior walls, leave the cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. This helps keep the pipes warmer and reduces the risk of freezing.
• Space Heaters: In particularly cold spots, using a small space heater can help protect exposed pipes and keep your plumbing safe from freezing.

The key is to ensure that your home or business maintains a consistent, safe temperature that prevents the plumbing from becoming too cold.

Step 4: Draining Outdoor Faucets and Sprinklers

Outdoor faucets and irrigation systems are particularly vulnerable to freezing. Once the temperature drops below freezing, water left in these systems can expand and crack the pipes, causing damage that is often costly and difficult to repair.

How to winterize outdoor plumbing:

• Shut off the Water Supply: Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets. Most homes have an indoor shut-off valve for outdoor faucets. Be sure to locate and turn it off to prevent water from entering the outdoor lines.
• Drain the Lines: After turning off the water supply, open the outdoor faucets to allow any remaining water to drain out. This ensures no water is left in the pipes to freeze.
• Install Faucet Insulation Covers: To provide added protection, install foam faucet covers over the outdoor faucets. These inexpensive covers help insulate the faucet from the cold, further reducing the risk of freezing.

If you have an irrigation system, it’s also important to have it properly winterized to avoid damage.

Step 5: Let Faucets Drip

In extremely cold weather, letting your faucets drip can prevent the water inside your pipes from freezing. By allowing a small amount of water to flow through the pipes, you reduce the pressure that can build up when the water freezes. This simple trick can help prevent frozen pipes and the associated damage.

How to let faucets drip:

• Faucets on Exterior Walls: If you have faucets on exterior walls or in unheated areas, let them drip slightly, particularly during extremely cold nights. Running water is much less likely to freeze than water that’s sitting still in a pipe.
• Both Hot and Cold Faucets: For maximum protection, let both the hot and cold taps drip. This helps to ensure that both the water entering the pipes and the water inside the pipes are flowing and won’t freeze.

This is a simple and effective way to prevent freezing without needing to make major changes to your plumbing system.

Step 6: Keep an Eye on Your Plumbing

Regularly checking your plumbing during the winter months is essential to catch any early signs of trouble. If you suspect that a pipe might be freezing, act quickly to prevent a full freeze or burst.

Signs of frozen pipes:

• No water flow: If a faucet suddenly stops producing water or has a very low flow, it could indicate a frozen pipe.
• Strange smells or sounds: If you hear unusual sounds coming from the pipes or notice odd odors, these could be early signs of freezing or blockages.
• Frost on pipes: Check exposed pipes for signs of frost or condensation, which can be a sign that the pipes are starting to freeze.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact a professional plumber immediately to avoid further damage.

Trust Aqua Plumbing and Heating Ltd. for Your Winter Plumbing Needs

At Aqua Plumbing and Heating Ltd., we understand how critical it is to protect your plumbing system during the harsh Edmonton winters. Our team of professionals has over 35 years of experience in residential, commercial, and emergency plumbing services. We also offer heating services, including boiler and furnace installation and repair.

If you need help winterizing your plumbing system or have concerns about frozen pipes, our team is ready to provide expert advice and assistance. Our 24/7 emergency service means we’re always available to handle plumbing and heating emergencies, no matter the time of day or night.

Contact Aqua Plumbing and Heating Ltd. today at 780-452-7610 for a free quote. Let us help ensure your plumbing is ready for winter! By taking the time to properly winterize your plumbing system, you can avoid the headache and expense of frozen pipes, and enjoy a warm and safe home all season long.