Plumbing Tips for Winter in Durham Region

Durham Region winters bring freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and ice storms that can wreak havoc on your home's plumbing system. Proper winter preparation is essential to prevent frozen pipes, burst pipes, and other cold-weather plumbing emergencies.

Golding Plumbing has been helping Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa homeowners winterize their plumbing for over 30 years. Follow these tips to protect your home this winter.

Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses

Before the first frost, disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor faucets. A connected hose traps water in the hose bib, which can freeze and burst the fitting or the pipe behind it. After disconnecting, open the faucet briefly to drain any remaining water.

If your outdoor faucets aren't frost-free models, shut off the indoor valve that supplies them and open the outdoor faucet to drain the line completely.

Insulate Vulnerable Pipes

Pipes in unheated areas like garages, crawl spaces, attics, and along exterior walls are most vulnerable to freezing. Install foam pipe insulation or heat tape on these pipes before cold weather arrives. Don't forget pipes in kitchen and bathroom cabinets on exterior walls.

Proper insulation is inexpensive and can prevent thousands of dollars in frozen pipe damage. Golding Plumbing can identify vulnerable pipes and insulate them professionally.

Maintain Indoor Temperatures

Keep your home heated to at least 12°C even when you're away. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air reach the pipes. During extreme cold snaps, let a thin stream of water run from faucets served by exposed pipes.

If you're going away for an extended period during winter, consider having your water shut off and pipes drained. Or ask a neighbor to check your home daily.

Service Your Water Heater

Winter puts extra demand on your water heater as incoming water temperatures drop. Have your water heater serviced before winter to ensure it's operating efficiently. Flushing the tank removes sediment that reduces heating efficiency.

A well-maintained water heater handles winter demand better and uses less energy. Call Golding Plumbing at (416) 669-8327 for water heater maintenance.

Know Your Emergency Shutoffs

Make sure every household member knows where the main water shutoff valve is located. In a pipe burst emergency, quickly shutting off the water supply minimizes damage. Label the valve clearly and ensure it's accessible.

If you haven't tested your shutoff valve recently, try turning it now. Old valves can seize if not operated periodically. If it's difficult to turn, have a plumber service or replace it before winter.