As temperatures start to drop in Edmonton, winter plumbing preparation should be on every homeowner’s fall checklist. Along with turning on the furnace, putting away patio furniture, and getting winter tires ready, it’s important to protect your outdoor taps and exposed water pipes before freezing weather arrives.
Outdoor taps, garden hoses, and exposed water lines can all be vulnerable when temperatures drop below freezing. Preparing your outdoor taps and exposed water pipes before winter can help prevent frozen pipes, burst water lines, unexpected leaks, and costly water damage. With Alberta’s freezing temperatures, taking a few preventative steps in October can help protect your plumbing throughout the winter.
Here’s how to prepare your outdoor faucets, water lines, and household plumbing before the cold weather arrives.
1. Disconnect and Store Your Garden Hoses
One of the easiest ways to prepare your plumbing for winter is to disconnect your garden hoses from your outdoor taps.
Leaving a hose attached can prevent water from draining properly from some outdoor faucets. When temperatures drop, trapped water can freeze and potentially damage the faucet or connected water line.
Before storing your garden hoses for the season:
- Disconnect every garden hose from its outdoor tap.
- Drain the remaining water from each hose.
- Remove hose attachments and splitters
- Coil and store the hoses somewhere protected from the elements.
Keeping outdoor taps clear helps them drain properly and reduces the risk of freezing.
2. Shut Off and Drain Your Outdoor Faucets
Disconnecting the hose is just the first step. If your outdoor taps have an indoor shut-off valve, you’ll also need to prepare the water line before winter.
Follow these steps:
- Locate the indoor shut-off valve. It’s often in the basement or near where the water line passes through an exterior wall.
- Turn off the water supply. Close the valve supplying water to the outdoor faucet.
- Drain the remaining water. Open the outdoor tap to allow water left in the line to drain. If your shut-off valve has a separate drain cap, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Protect the faucet. An insulated outdoor faucet cover can provide an extra layer of protection, but it does not replace shutting off and draining the water line when your plumbing setup requires it.
Have a frost-free faucet? It’s still important to disconnect the garden hose before winter so the faucet can drain as designed.
If you can’t locate the shut-off valve or aren’t sure how your outdoor faucet works, consult a plumber rather than risk damaging an older valve or leaving water trapped in the line.
3. Insulate Pipes in Cold Areas of Your Home
Outdoor taps aren’t the only plumbing at risk during an Alberta winter. Pipes running through colder areas of your home can also freeze when temperatures drop.
Check your basement, garage, crawl space, and areas near exterior walls for exposed water lines, missing insulation, and gaps that allow cold air inside.
To help protect vulnerable pipes:
- Install suitable insulation around exposed water lines.
- Seal gaps around doors, windows, and pipes where they pass through exterior walls.
- Keep pipes in unheated spaces protected from cold air.
- Pay particular attention to plumbing in garages, crawl spaces, and exterior-wall cabinets.
A warm house doesn’t always mean every section of your plumbing system is protected from freezing temperatures.
4. Check for Plumbing Leaks Before Winter
Fall is an ideal time to identify small plumbing problems before winter weather makes repairs more difficult.
Inspect the following areas for drips, damp spots, corrosion, or signs of water damage:
- Under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Around toilets
- Near your water heater
- Along exposed water pipes
- Around indoor faucets and plumbing connections
Even a small leak is worth addressing. A damaged pipe or loose connection can develop into a bigger problem, particularly if freezing temperatures affect the surrounding plumbing.
If you notice persistent leaks or signs of pipe damage, arrange for professional plumbing repairs before the cold weather sets in.
5. Keep Your Home Warm Enough to Protect Your Pipes
Once winter arrives, maintaining adequate indoor heating is an important part of preventing frozen pipes.
Avoid turning your heating off completely when leaving home during cold weather. Keep your indoor temperature at a consistent level and pay attention to areas where plumbing runs through cooler spaces.
If you have pipes beneath sinks along exterior walls, opening the cabinet doors during particularly cold weather may help warmer indoor air reach the pipes.
If a pipe appears frozen or a faucet suddenly stops delivering water, avoid using an open flame or other high-heat source to thaw it. If you suspect a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply if it is safe to do so and contact a plumber. If you cannot safely thaw the pipe or restore water flow, seek professional help.
When Should You Winterize Your Outdoor Taps in Edmonton?
October is a good time for Edmonton homeowners to winterize outdoor faucets and exposed plumbing, ideally before the first hard freeze. However, temperatures can drop earlier, so prepare your plumbing as soon as the outdoor watering season ends and freezing weather approaches.
Disconnecting garden hoses, shutting off and draining outdoor water lines where applicable, insulating exposed pipes, and checking for leaks can help reduce the risk of winter plumbing problems.
Taking these precautions early can help you avoid unexpected repairs and water damage during Alberta’s coldest months.
Protect Your Plumbing Before Edmonton’s First Freeze
Preparing your plumbing for winter doesn’t have to be complicated. A few preventative steps now can help protect your outdoor taps, exposed pipes, and household plumbing from freezing temperatures.
If you’re unsure how to winterize your outdoor faucets, have noticed a leak, or want to address a plumbing concern before winter, Academy Mechanical Services Inc. can help.
Our experienced team provides professional plumbing and HVAC services throughout Edmonton, Spruce Grove, and surrounding areas.
Don’t wait for freezing temperatures to put your plumbing at risk. Contact Academy Mechanical Services Inc. today to get your plumbing ready for winter and help protect your property from costly cold-weather damage.
