Protect your property from the cold

The winter of 2024-25 is upon us with rain, snow and dropping temperatures. Last winter saw a record cold snap with temperatures dropping to -37 degrees Celsius with windchill, creating chaos with drains freezing and backing up, water and sprinkler lines freezing and bursting, power systems failing because of owners overloading their panels to stay warm, etc. At those temperatures salt no longer thaws ice and icicles form, which can drip into walls and windows.

The best way to protect your property, yourselves and your neighbours from damage related to the cold is to be prepared.

Please take any and all steps you can to protect your property and your neighbours from damage related to the cold.

  • Turn up your thermostat to at least 15C – to prevent pipes, sprinklers and drains from freezing in walls, ceilings, floors, etc. If your property has a history of frozen pipes and drains then you may need to turn the temperature to 17C, or even higher.
  • Open cupboards under sinks and closet doors to rooms with plumbing fixtures and hot water tanks to let warm air circulate around your pipes and drains.
  • If your pipes are frozen or the flow is reduced, use space heaters to blow heat into the affected areas. If the water starts running again, keep the tap running at a trickle for the duration of the coldspell to prevent re-freezing. Please notify your strata agent if you have frozen pipes – it may be necessary to turn off your water until we can verify there are no leaks.
  • If your drains are backing up or emptying slowly, pour boiling water down to break up any ice and then keep your faucet running at a trickle to prevent ice from building up.
  • Turn on crawlspace, attic and void space heaters where applicable.
  • Remove hoses from outdoor faucets and turn off exterior taps from inside your home when the shutoff is accessible. Do not use outdoor hose bibs from Nov. 1 to May 1.
  • If you use a fireplace to heat your home, never leave fires, candles or other flames unattended. Always test your smoke detectors, and if you have gas appliances of fireplaces then please consider investing in a carbon monoxide sensor as well.
  • If you notice cold air coming through the bottom of an interior door, place an old towel or blanket along the base of the door to help block that draft, then arrange to have the weatherstripping replaced when things warm up again.
  • Be aware of your water shutoff and electrical system locations. These are typically located near hot water tanks but not always. If you’re unsure, please ask your agent.
  • If you rent your unit and there is a cold spell, please ensure your guests are aware of the risks, keep windows closed, and follow the above instructions.
  • Please consider purchasing water sensors and remote water shutoffs for your unit, the investment is far less than the cost of a loss that might have been prevented.
  • Take care when walking in parking lots and on strata pathways. While they are usually maintained, conditions can change between visits from the contractor. Expect slippery and uneven conditions, and wear appropriate footwear.

Most importantly, please be alert and pay special attention to areas around pipes, taps and sprinklers when things start to warm up again – a puddle on the floor can indicate that a pipe has frozen and split, and that small drip could turn into a big problem.

Please also be aware of icicles accumulating along roof lines and take care on icy walkways and roads. At -15C and colder, salt and gravel are far less effective.

If you can’t attend your unit to turn up the heat or check your taps, open your cupboards, etc., please reach out to your strata agent. As well, WRM does offer home care services and can check your unit on your behalf. You will need to sign a waiver and indemnity agreement.

WRM strongly recommends that all owners and tenants purchase home or renter insurance. The strata insurance policy only applies when a loss exceeds the deductible limit, and strata deductibles generally start at $25,000 – which may be charged back to owners if their unit is deemed responsible for a loss. Strata insurance also doesn’t cover personal possessions, owner upgrades to the original base build, living out expenses, lost rental income, moving or storage expenses, or other expenses not related to the common property or original construction.