{"id":6198,"date":"2026-02-02T10:31:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T16:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/?p=6198"},"modified":"2026-02-01T10:40:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T16:40:08","slug":"frozen-pipes-in-winnipeg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/frozen-pipes-in-winnipeg\/","title":{"rendered":"Frozen Pipes in Winnipeg"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frozen Pipes in Winnipeg: Tips to Prevent, Thaw, and Avoid Costly Damage <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Winnipeg winters are no joke. With extended cold snaps and deep freezes, frozen pipes are one of the most common (and stressful) winter issues homeowners and renters face. The good news? A few proactive steps can go a long way in preventing frozen pipes\u2014and knowing what to do early can help avoid major damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Frozen Pipes Are So Common in Winnipeg<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When temperatures drop below -20\u00b0C for long periods, water inside pipes\u2014especially those near exterior walls can freeze. As water freezes, it expands, increasing pressure inside the pipe. This can lead to cracks or bursts, often discovered only after the pipe thaws and starts leaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common trouble spots include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pipes along exterior walls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Basements and crawl spaces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unheated garages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under kitchen and bathroom sinks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Older homes with less insulation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Prevent Frozen Pipes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Keep the Heat Consistent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you\u2019re heading out or trying to save on energy costs, avoid turning the heat down too low. Keep your home at <strong>at least 18\u00b0C<\/strong>, especially during extreme cold warnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Let Faucets Drip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A slow, steady drip from faucets connected to exterior-facing pipes keeps water moving and reduces the chance of freezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Open Cabinet Doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Open doors under sinks (especially kitchen and bathroom sinks) to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Seal Drafts and Cold Air Leaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Check for cold air coming in near windows, doors, and foundation cracks. Use weather stripping, caulking, or draft blockers where needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Insulate Exposed Pipes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pipe insulation sleeves or heat tape can be a lifesaver in basements, crawl spaces, or garages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Know Where Your Water Shut-Off Is<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If a pipe does burst, knowing how to shut off your home\u2019s water quickly can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Do If You Think a Pipe Is Frozen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Turn on the faucet \u2013 If no water comes out or only a trickle flows, a pipe may be frozen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply gentle heat \u2013 Use a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater <em>at a safe distance<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never use an open flame \u2013 Torches or open heat sources are dangerous and can cause fires.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start warming from the faucet end \u2013 This allows melting water to escape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re unsure where the freeze is or can\u2019t safely access it, call a licensed plumber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If a Pipe Bursts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shut off the main water supply immediately<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn off electricity<strong> <\/strong>in affected areas if water is near outlets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call a plumber<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Document damage for insurance purposes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Help Is Available<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During extreme cold events, the City of Winnipeg often shares updates, safety tips, and emergency resources. Staying informed can help you act quickly and safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thought<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Frozen pipes are stressful, but they\u2019re also preventable. A little preparation during Winnipeg\u2019s coldest months can protect your home, save money, and give you peace of mind when temperatures drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you found this helpful, consider sharing it with a neighbour, especially someone in an older home or basement suite. Winter is easier when we look out for each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Frozen Pipes in Winnipeg: Tips to Prevent, Thaw, and Avoid Costly Damage Winnipeg winters are no joke. With extended cold &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Frozen Pipes in Winnipeg\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/frozen-pipes-in-winnipeg\/#more-6198\" aria-label=\"Read more about Frozen Pipes in Winnipeg\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6199,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,43],"tags":[21,20],"class_list":["post-6198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city-of-winnipeg","category-winter-tips-in-winnipeg","tag-cindy-gilroy","tag-city-of-winnipeg","infinite-scroll-item","masonry-post","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-20","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6198"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6198\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6200,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6198\/revisions\/6200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6199"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}