Every winter, some Calgarians will experience frozen water pipes, service lines, and water meters, resulting in a water outage. The City’s Frozen Pipes Prevention Program works proactively with homes considered at higher risk due to factors such as location, depth, and configuration of water pipes and a history of freezing.
Recently we have noticed an increase in frozen pipes in homes that are typically at a lower risk, where taking some of the steps below could have prevented household pipes from freezing. Ways to avoid freezing include:
- Keep your thermostat at a minimum of 15°C, even if you’re away from home.
- Eliminate any cold drafts in unheated areas where water supply lines are located. This can include basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and under bathroom and kitchen cabinets.
- Repair broken windows, check doors, and insulate areas that allow cold exterior air to enter.
- Insulate your hot and cold-water pipes located in cold areas.
- Open interior doors and cabinets in cold areas to allow heat from the house to warm unprotected pipes.
- Turn off, disconnect, and drain the water line to outside faucets, garden hoses, pools, or decorative water features.
- If your hot water tank is in a maintenance room outside of your home, make sure the area is adequately heated.
- Regularly run water in your pipes through everyday use.
Visit calgary.ca/frozenpipes to learn more, including actions you can take if you suspect you have frozen pipes.
