Winter Plumbing Tips for Gatineau: Protect Your Home from Cold Weather Damage
Gatineau winters are beautiful but brutal on plumbing systems. When temperatures plunge well below freezing—sometimes for weeks at a time—water in pipes can freeze, expand, and burst. The resulting damage when ice thaws can be catastrophic, flooding homes and causing thousands of dollars in repairs. Plombier Gatineau shares essential winter plumbing tips to help you protect your home during our harsh winter season.
Before Winter Arrives
Winterize Outdoor Plumbing
Outdoor faucets and their supply lines are extremely vulnerable to freezing. Before the first hard freeze, winterize all outdoor faucets. Shut off the interior valve supplying each outdoor faucet, open the outdoor faucet to drain remaining water, leave the outdoor faucet open all winter to relieve any pressure, disconnect and drain garden hoses, and store hoses indoors. Even frost-free faucets need hoses disconnected—a connected hose prevents drainage and can cause freezing.
Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Pipes in unheated areas—garages, crawl spaces, attics, exterior walls—need protection. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install. Focus on pipes along exterior walls, in unheated spaces, near windows or doors, and in the garage. For extreme cold, consider heat tape (electric heating cables) on particularly vulnerable pipes.
Seal Air Leaks
Cold air infiltration around pipes accelerates freezing. Seal gaps where pipes enter the house, cracks in exterior walls near pipes, openings around cables and wires, and basement rim joist areas. Even small air leaks can cause freezing when temperatures drop severely.
Know Your Shutoffs
Know where your main water shutoff valve is located and test it to ensure it works. In a pipe-burst emergency, quickly shutting off water limits damage dramatically.
During Cold Snaps
Keep Heat On
Never let your home's temperature drop below 13°C (55°F), even when away. The energy cost is far less than frozen pipe damage. If leaving for an extended period, consider having someone check the house or draining the plumbing system entirely.
Open Cabinet Doors
On extremely cold nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls. This allows warm house air to circulate around pipes.
Let Faucets Drip
During severe cold, letting vulnerable faucets drip slightly keeps water moving and reduces freeze risk. Even a small trickle helps. Focus on faucets on exterior walls or in cold areas.
Keep Garage Doors Closed
If water supply lines run through your garage, keep garage doors closed to maintain whatever warmth exists.
If Pipes Freeze
Signs of Frozen Pipes
No water from a faucet, reduced water pressure, frost visible on exposed pipes, and unusual sounds when using fixtures all indicate possible freezing.
What to Do
Keep the faucet open—as ice melts, water needs somewhere to go, and running water helps melt remaining ice. Apply gentle heat using a hair dryer, heat lamp, or heating pad. Start from the faucet and work toward the frozen section. Never use open flame—torches cause fires and can damage pipes. If you can't locate or access the frozen section, call for professional help.
If a Pipe Bursts
Immediately shut off the main water valve. Turn off electricity if water is near electrical systems. Call our emergency service. Begin water removal to minimize damage.
Water Heater Considerations
Your water heater works harder in winter as incoming water is colder. This is a good time for maintenance—an efficient water heater handles the increased demand better and costs less to operate.
Leaving for Winter Vacation
If leaving your home unoccupied during winter, keep heat at a safe level (minimum 13°C), have someone check the house every few days, consider shutting off water and draining the system for extended absences, and ensure your phone number is available if problems arise. Smart home devices can alert you to temperature drops or water leaks even when you're away.
Spring Follow-Up
After winter, check for freeze damage before fully using outdoor plumbing. Turn outdoor water on slowly and inspect for leaks. Some freeze damage doesn't reveal itself until spring thaw.
Areas Served
Plombier Gatineau helps homeowners prepare for winter throughout Gatineau, Hull, Aylmer, Chelsea, and surrounding areas.
Prepare Now
Don't wait until pipes freeze. Call Plombier Gatineau at (819) 317-0262 for winterization services, pipe insulation, or any winter plumbing concerns. Preparation now prevents disasters later.