Canada Day – Monday, July 1. View holiday hours for City of Winnipeg facilities and services.
Prevent frozen pipes
All properties in Winnipeg are at risk for frozen pipes. Some things that can cause pipes to freeze include:
- Weather conditions
- Frost depth
- Age and location of your properties
- Insulation levels in your property
- Ground depth of water pipes
- Width of streets
- Changes to landscaping or foundation of your home
You can reduce the risk of frozen pipes by following these steps:
Before winter
- Insulate your pipes (foam pipe covers can be found at your local home improvement store).
- Seal air leaks. Check for cracks and gaps around baseboards, windows, doors, and electrical outlets.
- Insulate unheated areas including: garages, attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
- Find your main water shut-off valve and know how to turn it off in case of an emergency.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses.
- Drain and shut off water supply leading to outdoor faucets (outdoor faucets are first to freeze).
- Leave outdoor taps slightly open to allow any remaining water to expand when freezing.
During winter
- Set the thermostat no lower than 12°C (55°F) at night and when you are away.
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water pipes nearby.
- Open kitchen, bathroom, or laundry cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
- If you are away for an extended period, verify your insurance policy to see how often someone should be checking your home.