Winter in Canada is no joke, and here in Winnipeg we experience the coldest temperatures of any major city in the country. When you own a home, preparing for the cold weather is something you have to approach from a number of perspectives, like weatherproofing your windows and making sure mice can’t sneak in. There’s also a lot you can do to prepare your home’s plumbing for Winnipeg’s weather—and this preventative plumbing care can save you a lot of money, time, and headaches this winter. Keep reading to see our list of the most important cold weather plumbing preparations you can make in the next few weeks for smooth sailing this winter.
Clear out clogs
Autumn leaves don’t always make it to the ground. Along with other debris, they can get stuck in your drainpipes, gutters, and anywhere else water typically flows. It’s important to clear out any clogged materials on a regular basis because such clogs can make their way into the pipes in your yard, and that can result in expensive plumbing issues. This is probably one of the least enjoyable homeowner tasks, but most homeowners will agree that it’s a crucial maintenance task for the health of your home.
Wrap your pipes
Winnipeg’s exceedingly cold temperatures mean that we have to take extra measures that homeowners in other parts of the world don’t have to think about. Spend some time wrapping your outdoor pipes to help prevent frozen pipes. Other ways to prevent frozen pipes include checking insulation in your home (particularly in the areas where pipes are located), weather stripping and caulking around crawl space doors and basement windows, and of course, locating and sealing cracks or openings along your walls, basement, and attic. For more information, we have a previous blog post on how to prevent your pipes from freezing in the winter!
Inspect your water heater
Just before the cold weather hits is a great time to check on your water heater and see if any maintenance is required. If you have hard water in your area, it’s especially important to check and clear out the buildup that hard water creates. After all, the last thing any homeowner wants to do is deal with a broken water heater in -50C temperatures!
Check your home for leaks
We know we say this often, but checking for leaks a few times a year is crucial to the health of your home (and frankly, the health of your wallet!). If you’ve noticed a recent increase in your water bill, that could be a sign of a leak somewhere in your pipes. A small leak can result in big costs, waste of water, and potentially even damage from bursting pipes when it comes to cold weather. Check out this past blog post where we go more in-depth on how to inspect your home for potential leaks.
Ultimately, matter how many preventative actions we take, there is always a chance that something will go wrong. While following these tips will set you up for success, if you do find yourself in need of plumbing support this winter, reach out to the We Love Plumbing team by clicking here or giving us a call at 204-654-6106. We’re always ready to help!