Every Edmonton winter brings a few cold snaps where overnight temperatures sit near -30°C for days at a time. That is when water lines in garages, crawl spaces and exterior walls freeze, split, and flood a basement or a storefront the moment they thaw. The good news is that most frozen pipe calls are preventable with a few hours of work in October, before the ground freezes and before you are scrambling in the cold.
Here is a practical plumbing winterization checklist for homes and small commercial properties across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert and the surrounding area. For the rest of the building, see our winter property prep guide.
Why Pipes Freeze in Edmonton Buildings
Pipes rarely freeze in the middle of a heated room. They freeze where cold air reaches them: along exterior walls, under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls, in unheated garages, crawl spaces and attics, and near rim joists where the foundation meets the framing. A small gap in insulation or a missing piece of caulking can let in a narrow stream of -30°C air that is enough to freeze a line overnight.
Water expands as it freezes, and the pressure that builds between the ice and a closed tap is what splits the pipe. Often the leak does not show up until the line thaws, which is why burst pipes so often get discovered on the first mild afternoon after a cold snap.
Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Taps
Exterior hose bibs are the most common trouble spot. A garden hose left connected traps water in the tap, and even frost-free style hose bibs can split if the hose holds water against the valve.
- Disconnect, drain and store every garden hose.
- If your outdoor taps have an indoor shut-off valve, close it, then open the outside tap to let the line drain. Leave the outside tap open for the winter.
- Drain and blow out underground sprinkler systems before the ground freezes. This is a job for an irrigation contractor if you are not set up to do it.
- Check outdoor taps on commercial buildings too, including the ones behind the building that nobody thinks about until spring.
Insulate Exposed and At-Risk Pipes
Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive and take minutes to install. Focus on lines that run through unheated or partly heated spaces:
- Water lines in attached garages, crawl spaces and unfinished basements near exterior walls
- Pipes running along the rim joist or close to a basement window
- Supply lines under sinks on exterior walls
- Lines feeding laundry rooms, utility rooms or washrooms added onto the back of a building
For lines that have frozen before, heat cable rated for pipe use can add another layer of protection. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely and plug it into a properly grounded outlet.
Seal the Air Leaks Around Your Pipes
Insulation helps, but stopping the cold air is just as important. Look for gaps where pipes, vents and wires pass through exterior walls and the foundation, and seal them with caulking or low-expansion spray foam. Check the rim joist area in your basement, dryer vent openings, and any holes left behind from old cable or satellite installs. On commercial properties, pay attention to service rooms and mechanical closets on outside walls, which are often the coldest spaces in the building.
Plan for Cold Snaps and Vacancies
A few simple habits make a big difference when the forecast drops:
- Keep the heat at 15°C or higher, even in vacant suites, empty offices and properties between tenants.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm room air can reach the pipes.
- During extreme cold, let a tap on an at-risk line drip slightly to keep water moving.
- Make sure everyone in your home or building knows where the main water shut-off is and how to close it.
- If you are leaving for a winter holiday, ask someone to check the property every few days, or shut off and drain the water if the building will sit empty for a long time.
What to Do If a Pipe Freezes
If a tap only trickles or nothing comes out during a cold snap, the line may be frozen. Leave the tap open and warm the area slowly with a hair dryer or space heater kept at a safe distance. Never use an open flame or torch. If you see bulging, cracks or water, close the main shut-off right away and call a licensed plumber. Burst pipes and any work on the plumbing system itself should always be handled by a licensed professional.
Where a Handyman Fits In
Much of winter pipe protection is not plumbing work at all. It is insulation, air sealing, weatherstripping and small repairs around the building envelope, which is exactly the kind of work a handyman can take care of in a single visit. Our team can insulate exposed lines, seal gaps around pipe penetrations and rim joists, check exterior taps and walk your property for the cold spots that tend to cause problems in January. Our post on pre-winter commercial handyman repairs covers other fixes worth bundling into the same visit.
Get Your Pipes Ready Before the Deep Freeze
October is the window for this work in Edmonton, while it is still comfortable to work outside and before the first serious cold snap. 365 Days Services Inc has helped homeowners and businesses across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, Beaumont and Stony Plain prepare for winter for more than 17 years. Book a visit and we will help you get ahead of frozen pipes this season.