It's that time of year when everything freezes—including pipes! Here are some reminders about how to avoid frozen pipes and what to do if/ when yours freeze.
Preventative Tips
- If your water pipes are attached to an uninsulated outside wall or located in a crawlspace, remove the clamps, gently pull the pipes away from the wall, and wrap them with foam pipe insulation. You should also consider insulating your crawl space.
- Insulate all exposed outdoor water pipes with specially designed foam pipe covers, which are available at building supply or home improvement stores. Follow installation safety instructions.
- Always ensure that an adequate source of heat is available near vulnerable pipes. If there are water supply lines in the garage, keep the doors closed.
- Open the doors to the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry cabinets to circulate warmer air through the plumbing. If the piping is located next to exterior walls, leave the cupboard doors under the kitchen and bathroom sinks open. While the cupboard doors are open, remove household cleaners and other items that could harm children or pets.
- If you’re going out of town, talk to your insurance company about how to protect your home from frozen pipes and leaks while you’re away. Be sure to leave the thermostat set at 15 degrees or higher and have someone check on your home in your absence.
- If the temperature drops to well below freezing, consider leaving a tap open enough for a stream of water to flow so that there is some movement in water pipes that might be vulnerable to freezing. NOTE: Only those directed to run a tap by the Town of Collingwood will be compensated for increased water use. Customers running taps without direction from the Town will be responsible for all water volume charges.
What to do When Pipes Freeze
Property owners are responsible for maintaining and replacing water pipes inside their homes or businesses and from the homes or businesses to the property line. The Town of Collingwood is responsible for pipes beyond the property line.
If your water service freezes, immediately notify a licensed plumber. The plumber should be able to thaw your service to the property line. If necessary, call the Town of Collingwood Water Department at 705-445-1030 or email waterwastewater@collingwood.ca for information and assistance.
Thawing Indoor Plumbing
The Town of Collingwood recommends you contact a licensed plumber for assistance with internal plumbing.
If you want to try thawing household pipes yourself, follow these safety precautions and tips.
Precautions
- Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch, as this is a fire hazard.
- If you are using a space heater, plug it directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, as these could overheat and cause a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as a heater. Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can burn. Do not leave heaters unattended.
- Know the location of your master water shut-off valve. While the pipe was frozen, expanding ice may have cracked or broken it, causing it to leak when thawed. If the pipe is leaking, you will need to shut off the water in your house until it is repaired.
- Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.
- Never use a combustible fueled appliance indoors to produce heat, as carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
- If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Town of Collingwood Water Department at 705-445-1030 or email waterwastewater@collingwood.ca
After Thawing
- Keep the pipes warm! If the pipe has frozen already, it’s susceptible to freezing again.
- Keep the area around the pipes warm by opening basement, cellar, or cupboard doors, and/or by insulating the pipe, and take action to prevent freezing in future years.
- Watch for leaks where the pipe froze. While the pipe was frozen, expanding ice may have cracked or broken your pipe.
For more information regarding water services in Collingwood, visit this page of the Town's website.