A winter pipe checklist for GTA homes that actually works

Every January we hear the same story: a cold snap, a quiet drip, then a burst behind a cabinet. The fix is not fancy, but it is consistent. Disconnect exterior hoses, shut off and drain outdoor taps, and keep the garage side door sealed if you have plumbing on that wall.

Inside the house, let warm air reach the pipes. Open the vanity doors on cold nights, and keep the thermostat steady. If you travel, do not drop the temperature too low. I like to keep it at 17 C as a baseline, and I leave a note so nobody bumps it lower by mistake.

Know where your main shutoff is before you need it. If you have not tested the valve in a year, give it a gentle turn and make sure it still moves. That one step can save a floor, a ceiling, and a very long weekend.