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Same Day Service Since
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Call The Gentleman Pros Now!
(403) 879-1819
Turn off your outside water before the first freeze. If temperatures are nearing freezing, it is time to turn off your outside water.
Learn how to identify your outside shut-off valve and how to protect your home from frozen/cracked pipes.
If you’re not sure where your outdoor water line shut-off is, you’re not alone. (Many homeowners don’t know.)
Yes, you can turn off the outside water from the inside of your home.
First, take the time to locate the outdoor shut-off valve. In Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, most likely your outdoor shutoff valve will be in your basement near an outer wall.
Identify your waterlines. If your home was built in the 1970s or earlier, you can often expect to see copper water lines.
If your home was built in the late 70s to late 90s, very likely you have Poly-B water lines that look like this. (Poly-B water lines are problematic and need to be remediated at some point. Read more to understand how Poly-B can become a risk to your home, and may increase your insurance rates.)
If your home was built in the 2000s, most likely you will have PEX water lines, which may look something like this.
After identifying the water lines, follow their path to identify a line that leads outside of your home. Look for a shut-off valve.
The outside shut-off valve is located (most likely) near an outside wall near where your outside house bib is.
Once you have identified the lever, close it until the frosty weather is gone.
The outdoor shut-off valve is most likely near the outside water line and will look like this.
Older shut-off valves often look like this gate valve.
The problem with gate valves is that they often get stuck because of rust, debris, or a lack of lubrication. Being stuck in the open or closed position can cause a lot of havoc, especially in an emergency situation.
If your outdoor water valve is really old, consider replacing it! It is an inexpensive plumbing repair that could prevent a major problem later (saving you thousands).
Outside of your home, remove the hose to ensure water doesn’t enter the faucet backwards through the hose.
In Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton, most often it’s time to turn the water on in May. (I know what you are thinking, it can still snow in May…true, it can.)
If you have turned on your water too early, and freezing temperatures are pending, then remove your hose from the hose bib to keep any further water from getting into the line. Turn off the outside water shut-off valve that is located inside your home. (Be sure that there is proper insulation in the area of your home where the water is.
If you have a frost-free outdoor hose bib (or frost-free outdoor spigot), you should still turn your outdoor water off, but there is less concern about damage to your water lines.
This can result in frozen water lines.
If water remains in the water lines and then the lines are exposed to the cold, the water in the lines can freeze. Frozen water expands, potentially cracking the water line.
Frost-free outdoor faucets (also known as non-freeze wall hydrants, or frost-free spigots, frost-free hose bibs) differ from regular outdoor faucets because they prevent water lines from freezing.
The area between the siding of the home and the interior insulation is at risk of getting colder than the area where the insulation is and beyond. Let’s call this area the danger zone.
The danger zone is where water is most likely to freeze. A frost-free hose bib prevents water from freezing in the danger zone by sealing off the water from the danger zone.
The shutoff portion of the valve is in a heated part of the home. This means that if a bit of water remains in the line, the water in the pipe won’t freeze because it’s in the warm, insulated house.
Frost-free outdoor faucets prevent water from entering your water lines and freezing, and in turn cracking.
If you need help turning off your outside water, need to replace your water shut-off valves, or want to upgrade to a frost-free outdoor hose bib, call us!
“My frost proof faucet was leaking so I called Gentlemen Plumbers. I was given an appointment in 2 days. Riley arrived and set about fixing the problem. When that was done, he offered the company’s complimentary annual check plumbing checkup. He noted a few issues that needed repair or could potentially need repair in the future. I opted to have the tub spout replaced to make the shower more efficient. Riley completed this. Riley is very friendly and personable. It was great to have such a knowledgeable, communicative and pleasant person do the repairs needed.” Judy L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
