The entry in brief
Drain and shut off outdoor taps, insulate pipes in cold spots, seal drafts near plumbing, and keep the house heated even when you are away. Find the main valve before the first deep freeze arrives.
Outdoor taps and lines
- Disconnect every garden hose.
- Close the inside shut-off valve feeding each outdoor tap.
- Let the outside tap empty and leave it cracked open until spring.
- Drain and blow out any irrigation system before the ground freezes.
Pipes in cold spots
Look at the basement rim joist, where the floor framing meets the foundation. Pipes running along it are close to outside air. Use foam pipe insulation on these runs and seal gaps around them with spray foam or caulk. Do the same in garages, crawlspaces and under kitchen bump-outs.
If you travel in winter
- Keep the thermostat at a safe level, never off.
- Ask someone to check the house every few days.
- Consider shutting off the main water and opening a low tap to relieve pressure.
- Leave cabinet doors open under sinks on outside walls.
Cottages and seasonal homes
A seasonal property needs a full drain-down: water off, all lines drained, the water heater emptied, and antifreeze safe for plumbing in traps and toilets. If you are not sure how, ask a plumber to do it once while you watch.
When the ledger says phone
Call if a pipe has frozen, if an outdoor tap leaks inside after being turned on in spring, or if you want a frost-free tap fitted. Our frozen pipe thawing page explains what we do.
What callers want to know
When should outdoor taps be shut off in Mississauga?
Ahead of the first killing frost, which in Mississauga tends to land in early November.
Does pipe insulation stop freezing completely?
It slows heat loss but does not add heat. Combine it with sealing drafts and keeping the house warm.