How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Edmonton: Winter Checklist

When the temperature drops below −25 °C, the pipes that freeze are almost always the same ones: outside taps, garage lines, exterior walls and overhangs. Do these before winter.

In the fall (before the first hard freeze)

Shut off and drain outside taps. Close the inside shut-off valve for each hose bib, open the outside tap to drain it, and disconnect hoses. A hose left on a frost-free bib can still trap water and split it.
Check for old-style hose bibs. If your outside tap has no separate inside shut-off and isn't frost-free, have it replaced with a frost-free model.
Insulate exposed pipes in garages, crawlspaces and unheated rooms with foam pipe insulation.
Seal air leaks near pipes: where lines enter through the rim joist, dryer vents, and gaps around basement windows. Cold air leaking onto a pipe freezes it faster than cold walls do.
Know your main shut-off and make sure it actually closes. Old gate valves often seize.

During a cold snap

Keep the heat at at least 17 °C, including at night and when you're away.
Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through the garage.
For a fixture that has frozen before, let it drip slowly on the coldest nights.

Going away in winter?

Leave the heat on, have someone check the house every day or two, and consider shutting off the main water valve and draining the lines. Many insurance policies require daily checks or a shut-off for homes left unheated or vacant; read yours.

Rentals and vacant homes

Vacant homes between tenants or during renovation are the most at risk. If the heat might go off, have the system winterized: water shut off, lines blown out, and antifreeze in traps.

If a pipe freezes

Open the faucet it feeds.
Be ready to close the main shut-off; the pipe may already be split.
Warm the area gently with room heat or a hair dryer. Never use an open flame.
If you can't reach it, or it bursts, shut off the main and call (780) 996-7950.

Permanent fixes

If the same pipe freezes every winter, the fix is to move it out of the cold: reroute it to an interior wall, insulate and air-seal the cavity, or add heat cable. We do this work in the fall so you're not dealing with it at −30 °C.

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature do pipes freeze in Edmonton?

Pipes in unheated or poorly insulated spots can freeze whenever it's below about −10 °C for a sustained period. Below −25 °C, risk rises sharply.

Should I shut off my water when I leave for winter holidays?

It's a good idea for longer trips. Keep the heat on, shut off the main, and open a low tap to drain pressure. Check your insurance policy's requirements.

Do frost-free hose bibs still freeze?

They can if a hose is left connected, trapping water in the valve. Always disconnect hoses in the fall.