A burst pipe in a Saskatchewan winter is not just an inconvenience — it's a potential disaster. Water damage from a single burst pipe can run $10,000–$50,000 or more depending on where it occurs and how long it goes undetected. Insurance covers many of these events, but deductibles are high, claims affect your premiums, and the disruption to your home and family is significant regardless of coverage.
The good news: most frozen pipe events are entirely preventable. The steps below take a few hours to complete and can save you from one of the most stressful and expensive home emergencies there is.
Insulate Pipes in Unheated Spaces
The pipes most at risk are those running through unheated areas: exterior walls, crawl spaces, attached garages, and unfinished basements. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive, easy to install, and dramatically reduces the risk of freezing. Pay particular attention to pipes on the north and west sides of your home, which are exposed to the prevailing cold winds. For pipes in especially vulnerable locations — like a garage or a poorly insulated exterior wall — consider adding heat tape (also called heat cable) as a secondary measure. Heat tape is a low-wattage electric element that wraps around the pipe and prevents freezing even in extreme cold.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hose Bibs
Outdoor hose bibs (exterior taps) are one of the most common sources of winter plumbing damage. Water left in the line between the exterior tap and the interior shutoff valve can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe — often without any visible external damage. The crack only becomes apparent in spring when you turn the water back on and find water pouring into your wall cavity. Before freeze-up, disconnect all garden hoses, locate the interior shutoff valve for each exterior tap (usually in the basement or crawl space), shut it off, then open the exterior tap to drain the remaining water. Frost-free hose bibs are designed to drain automatically but still require the hose to be disconnected.
Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is
This isn't a winterization step per se, but it's the most important thing to know before a pipe freezes or bursts. In a plumbing emergency, every minute counts. Your main water shutoff is typically located where the water service enters your home — often in the basement near the front foundation wall, or in a utility room. Make sure every adult in your household knows where it is and how to operate it. If you're not sure where yours is, call us — we can locate it and show you during any service visit.
Maintain Minimum Heat When Away
If you're leaving your home for an extended period during winter — even just a long weekend — never turn your thermostat below 13°C (55°F). The cost of heating an empty home to a minimum temperature is trivial compared to the cost of a burst pipe and the resulting water damage. For vacation properties or seasonal homes, the safest approach is to have a licensed plumber winterize the entire plumbing system: draining all supply lines, flushing toilets, and adding antifreeze to traps. This eliminates the risk entirely rather than managing it.
Check Your Water Heater Before Winter
Your water heater works harder in winter — incoming water is colder, requiring more energy to reach your set temperature. Before the season starts, check the temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve by lifting the lever briefly to ensure it operates freely. Flush the tank to remove sediment buildup, which reduces efficiency and accelerates corrosion. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, have it inspected. A water heater failure in January is an emergency; catching a failing unit in October is a planned replacement.
Inspect Your Sump Pump and Backwater Valve
Spring thaw is one of the highest-risk periods for basement flooding in Regina. Before winter ends, test your sump pump by pouring water into the pit to confirm it activates and discharges properly. Check the discharge line to ensure it's not frozen or obstructed. If your home has a backwater valve (a one-way valve that prevents sewer backup), have it inspected and cleaned annually — debris accumulation can prevent it from sealing properly. A failed backwater valve during a spring thaw event can result in tens of thousands of dollars in sewage damage.
If a Pipe Does Freeze
If you suspect a pipe has frozen, shut off the main water supply immediately. Do not attempt to thaw it with an open flame — this is a fire hazard and can crack the pipe. A hair dryer or heat lamp applied gently to the affected area may work for accessible pipes. For pipes inside walls or in inaccessible locations, call a licensed plumber. If the pipe has already burst, shut off the water and call us immediately.
Pre-Winter Plumbing Checklist
- Insulate pipes in unheated spaces (crawl space, garage, exterior walls)
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut off exterior tap valves
- Locate and test your main water shutoff valve
- Set thermostat minimum to 13°C if leaving for extended periods
- Inspect and flush water heater; test T&P relief valve
- Test sump pump operation
- Have backwater valve inspected and cleaned
- Check heat tape on vulnerable pipes is functioning