Winnipeg winters find the weak spots in a house. Most of what helps is simple and dull, and it's best done before freeze-up. Here's the short list, from the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro.
Before freeze-up
Outdoor taps and hoses. The City says outdoor faucets are the first to freeze. Disconnect your hoses, drain and shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets, and leave the outdoor taps slightly open so any remaining water has room to expand [1].
Find your main water shut-off. Know where it is and how to turn it off before you need to [1]. If clean water is ever flooding your home, the City's first instruction is to turn off that main valve [2].
Insulate and seal. Insulate pipes and unheated areas such as garages, attics, basements and crawl spaces. Seal cracks and gaps around baseboards, windows, doors and electrical outlets [1].
Furnace. Manitoba Hydro recommends having your heating system inspected and maintained once a year by a licensed heating contractor [3]. Check and change the furnace filter regularly; a clogged filter restricts airflow and makes the furnace run hotter [4]. Keep the furnace area clear, and don't store paint, solvents, gasoline or other flammable materials nearby [4].
Eavestroughs. Clean and repair leaky eavestroughs. Manitoba Hydro explains that ice and meltwater dripping onto the natural gas meter or pressure regulator can freeze and obstruct its vent [4].
Carbon monoxide alarms. Install CO alarms on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms, test them regularly and note their expiry dates [3].
Mid-winter
Keep the heat up. The City says to set the thermostat no lower than 12°C at night and when you're away [1].
Help warm air reach the pipes. Keep the garage door closed if water pipes are nearby, and open kitchen, bathroom or laundry cabinets so warm air can get to the plumbing [1].
Keep exterior vents clear. Make sure outside vents are clear of snow, leaves and debris [3].
If you're away for a while, check your insurance policy for how often someone needs to check on the house [1].
Know the warning signs. Little or no water from your taps, or frost on internal pipes, can mean a frozen pipe. The City's frozen-pipes page explains what to check and when to call 311 [2]. If your CO alarm sounds, leave right away and call 911 [3]. If you smell rotten eggs, which is often a sign of natural gas, leave and call 911 from a safe distance [3].
None of this replaces a qualified contractor for the furnace or a plumber for the pipes. It does make it less likely you'll need either on the coldest night of the year. If you have questions about a home you're buying or selling this winter, contact me.
Trevor LeVasseur, Licensed REALTOR® · Greg Michie Realty Group