Keeping Pipes from Freezing in Harsh Canadian Winters

Canadian winters can be beautiful, but they also bring some serious challenges for homeowners. One major concern is the risk of frozen pipes. When temperatures drop well below freezing, the water inside your plumbing can turn to ice, causing pipes to crack or burst. This can lead to expensive repairs and water damage throughout your home. For many Canadians, learning how to prevent frozen pipes is an important part of winter home maintenance.

Understanding how to keep your pipes from freezing during winter is especially important in older homes or places that experience long stretches of extremely cold weather. Taking a few simple steps before and during the winter season can make a big difference. Whether you're living in a detached house, townhouse, or cottage, frozen pipes can affect any home. In this article, we’ll go over practical ways to protect your plumbing system and avoid the headaches that come with frozen or burst pipes.

Why Do Pipes Freeze in Winter?

Pipes freeze when the temperature inside your home—or within the walls or crawlspaces—drops low enough to freeze the water inside them. This typically happens when outdoor temperatures fall below –15°C for several hours. In some cases, pipes in unheated or poorly insulated areas like basements, garages, attics, or exterior walls are most at risk. As the water inside the pipe freezes, it expands, creating pressure that can lead to a pipe bursting. The resulting water damage can be costly and difficult to clean up.

Understanding the cause helps you know where to focus your efforts. The goal is to keep your pipes warm enough so that water inside them doesn’t freeze. Homes in cities like Calgary, Winnipeg, or Ottawa are especially prone to this issue due to long stretches of deep cold. If you’ve ever had to deal with frozen plumbing, you know how frustrating it can be.

Insulate Pipes in Unheated Areas

One of the easiest and most effective ways to stop pipes from freezing is to add pipe insulation. Foam pipe covers can be found at most hardware stores and are easy to install. Use these on pipes in unheated parts of your home, such as the garage, attic, or crawlspace. This insulation helps keep the water inside from freezing when outside temperatures drop.

If your home has older plumbing or exposed pipes, insulation becomes even more important. Wrapping pipes with heat tape is another method used in colder regions of Canada. Heat tape plugs into an outlet and gently warms the pipe. It’s a good option for extremely cold spaces. Always follow safety instructions when using heat tape to avoid fire risks.

Seal Cracks and Gaps Around the Home

Cold air can find its way into your home through small openings, putting your pipes at risk. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal cracks and holes around windows, doors, and the foundation. Pay special attention to areas where plumbing enters or exits your home, such as around hose bibs and water lines.

Stopping cold drafts also helps improve your home’s energy efficiency. You’ll keep the heat in, reduce your energy bills, and help prevent frozen water pipes all at once. Make sure to check areas around the basement, crawlspace, and attic for any gaps that need sealing.

Keep Indoor Temperatures Consistent

Keeping your home at a steady indoor temperature during winter is one of the best ways to prevent freezing pipes. Try not to let the temperature inside drop below 18°C, even at night or when you’re away. Lower temperatures might help reduce heating bills, but they increase the risk of frozen plumbing.

If you plan to be away for an extended period during the winter, it’s important to leave the heat on. Set your thermostat to at least 15°C and open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes. You can also ask a friend or neighbour to check on your home every few days during extremely cold weather.

Let Faucets Drip in Extreme Cold

During cold snaps, letting a faucet drip slightly can help keep water moving through your pipes. Still water is more likely to freeze, but a steady trickle can prevent pressure from building up and reduce the chance of bursting. Focus on taps connected to pipes that run along exterior walls or through unheated areas.

This technique may seem small, but it can prevent big problems during Canadian winters. The cost of a slow drip is far less than the cost of repairing water damage from a burst pipe.

Disconnect Garden Hoses and Shut Off Outdoor Faucets

Before winter sets in, disconnect and drain your garden hoses. If you leave a hose attached, water can back up into the pipe inside your home and freeze. This can cause damage even if the outdoor faucet is frost-proof. After removing the hose, shut off the water supply to the outdoor tap from inside your home, then open the tap to let any remaining water drain out.

This is one of the most overlooked winter plumbing tips, but it’s very easy to do and can help prevent costly repairs. Some newer homes come with frost-proof outdoor faucets, but it’s still a good idea to remove the hose and drain any remaining water.

Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is

In case a pipe does freeze and burst, knowing how to shut off your home’s water supply quickly can help limit the damage. Make sure you and other family members know where the main water shut-off valve is located. It's usually found in the basement near where the water line enters your home.

Practice turning it off and on so that you’re prepared in an emergency. If a pipe bursts, turning off the main water valve right away can help protect your floors, walls, and belongings from water damage.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, the pipe may be frozen. In this case, you’ll need to act quickly. First, leave the faucet open—this allows water to flow once it begins to thaw. Then, try to warm the frozen section of pipe using a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater. Never use an open flame like a blowtorch, as this can cause a fire.

Start from the faucet and work your way toward the frozen area. If you can’t find the frozen section or it’s not accessible, it’s best to call a licensed plumber. Waiting too long or trying to thaw pipes the wrong way can lead to cracks or bursts.

Keeping pipes from freezing in harsh Canadian winters takes a bit of planning, but the effort is worth it. With proper insulation, sealing, and attention to your home’s temperature, you can prevent frozen plumbing and avoid expensive water damage. From using pipe insulation to shutting off outdoor taps, each step helps protect your home and gives you peace of mind during the coldest months of the year. By preparing your home before the deep freeze hits, you'll keep your plumbing system running smoothly all winter long.