Cold weather calls for extra attention to plumbing near exterior walls, garages and other chilly areas. Before a faucet stops running or a stain appears, locate the shut-off valves, prepare outdoor plumbing and check the heating system.
Every home needs measures suited to its equipment. A thermostat setting, faucet cover or dripping tap cannot guarantee that pipes will stay unfrozen.
Start with outdoor taps and hoses
From a safe position, check whether garden hoses have been disconnected and identify the type of outdoor faucet installed. Systems with an interior isolation valve may require a specific shut-off and drainage sequence. Frost-resistant fixtures also need preparation according to their instructions. Toronto recommends disconnecting hoses, closing the appropriate outdoor supply and allowing it to drain. Toronto’s pipe-freeze prevention guidance
Do not unscrew a small valve cap simply because it looks like a drain. If the arrangement is unclear, corroded or leaking, or you cannot confirm proper drainage, ask a plumber. A suitable protective cover may supplement the process; it does not replace drainage, repairs or correct operation.
Check conditions around indoor pipes
Pay attention to the water meter, exterior-wall pipework, cabinets and garages. Have inadequate insulation or cold-air entry investigated. Never seal combustion-air or exhaust openings as part of draught proofing.
Where heat must be maintained, use settings appropriate to the building, professional advice and policy requirements. A range such as 15–18°C is not a universal safe setting. The room containing the thermostat may be warmer than concealed plumbing.
Opening cabinets near pipes can help warm air circulate. First secure cleaning products from children and pets. If a section has frozen before, have the cause investigated rather than relying on the same temporary response each cold spell.
Should you leave a tap dripping?
Some municipal water services recommend a controlled flow for specific vulnerable service pipes. That is not a universal instruction for every household. Ask the local utility or a qualified plumber whether it applies, how it should be done, when to stop, and what drainage and water-billing issues to consider. Do not leave taps running unattended as a substitute for a freeze-prevention or home-care plan. Ottawa’s guidance for vulnerable water-service pipes
If a tap stops running, investigate before applying heat
The problem may be inside the house, in the service pipe or with municipal supply. Check for utility notices and observe safely for signs of freezing or leakage. Contact a plumber or the water utility if the location is unclear, the affected pipe is concealed, or damage is visible.
Never use a torch, open flame or intense heat on a frozen pipe. Do not use electrical equipment in wet conditions. A split may become apparent during thawing or after service returns, so restored flow is not the end of the check. Toronto recommends a licensed plumber if you cannot locate or resolve the frozen section. Toronto’s frozen-pipe response guidance
If water is already leaking
- Keep people away from hazards; call 911 for an immediate threat to life
- Close the appropriate water supply only if the valve is safely accessible and you know how to operate it
- Do not enter water, operate panels or start pumps if electrical equipment may be affected; contact the utility and a Licensed Electrical Contractor
- Call a plumber, notify your insurer promptly, and document damage and mitigation when safe
An apparent power outage does not prove floodwater is electrically safe. ESA advises professional assessment of water-affected electrical systems. ESA’s flood-safety guidance
How does insurance treat frozen pipes?
Coverage for a sudden escape of water after freezing depends on the cause, exclusions and any heating, absence or vacancy conditions. Ask separately about the pipe repair and resulting property damage. A burst does not automatically make every cost payable. Square One’s consumer guidance also describes restrictions on frozen-pipe claims, including precautions while away. Square One on frozen pipes and insurance
For an extended absence, review inspections, heating and any professional drain-down arrangements separately. A neighbour looking at the house from outside may not satisfy the policy. Where damage has occurred, hidden moisture and restoration also need attention.
Contact A-Z Insurance to review your policy’s requirements. Phone: 905-707-2929. Email: info@azinsure.ca.
This is general prevention and insurance information, not a substitute for an on-site plumbing, electrical or insurance assessment. Follow equipment instructions and site conditions. No measure guarantees prevention or claim payment.