District of Muskoka offers tips to prevent frozen water pipes

Extreme cold weather may lead to frozen water lines. Read the tips below to learn more about what can help prevent frozen lines or what to do if your pipes or services have already frozen.

Insulate Inside Pipes

Look for pipes on an outside wall in your attic, crawl space or garage

• Insulate your outside water pipes with specially designed foam pipe covers or heating tape available from most hardware stores
• Heat your crawl space
• Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate
• In extreme cold weather consider leaving a tap open enough to allow a stream of water to flow
• Know where your main shut off is located in case of an emergency

Leaving for the Winter?

• If you are on municipal services, consider having your service shut off at the street and your lines drained
• If you are on privates services, arrange for a plumber to winterize your dwelling
• Keep your thermostat set at 15 degrees Celsius or higher

Pipes Already Frozen?

• If you suspect your pipes are frozen, try using a hair dryer directed where your line enters the home – never use an open flame or torch
• Call a plumber, it may take a professional to determine where it is frozen and a thawing machine may be needed
• Once it is thawed, leave a tap running

Municipal Services Frozen?

• A plumber can determine if the line is frozen on the municipal side and notify the District of Muskoka Water and Wastewater field staff
• 24/7 contact information is available at: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/live-and-play/Service-Interruptions-and-Emergencies.aspx

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