Greater Vancouver winters are usually mild, but exposed plumbing can still freeze during a cold snap. Pipes near an outside wall, in an unheated garage, or in a crawlspace deserve extra attention.
Prepare before the temperature drops
Disconnect garden hoses and protect outdoor taps as appropriate for your home. Keep heated rooms warm enough when you are away, and make sure exposed pipes in unheated spaces have suitable insulation. If a sink sits against an outside wall, opening the cabinet door can help warm room air reach the plumbing inside.
Find your main water shutoff before you need it. Check that you can reach it safely and that everyone in the household knows where it is. A small leak can become a larger problem quickly if a frozen pipe splits.
If a tap stops running
One tap with little or no flow during freezing weather may indicate a frozen line. Avoid open flames, electrical devices near water, or forcing a valve that will not turn. If you can see damage, or water starts leaking as the pipe thaws, shut off the water if it is safe and call a plumber.
If several fixtures lose water, the cause may be farther upstream. Note which taps are affected and whether other homes nearby have water. Our plumbing repair team can help assess a suspected frozen or burst pipe.
After the cold snap
Check areas that were at risk for signs of moisture. If a pipe has frozen once, ask about its location and insulation before the next cold spell rather than relying on a temporary fix.