Every fall, thousands of Canadians trade snow shovels for sandals and head to Florida, Arizona or Mexico for the winter. It is one of the best parts of retirement. But while you are enjoying the sun, your home is sitting through months of Canadian cold with nobody inside to notice a problem.
A single frozen pipe can split, flood a basement and run for weeks before anyone finds it. That is why a proper shut-down routine matters more than almost anything else on your pre-departure list. This snowbird plumbing checklist walks you through every step, in the right order, so you can leave with peace of mind.
Step One: Call Your Insurer Before You Do Anything Else
This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that costs the most. Many Canadians assume their home insurance works the same whether they are home or not. It often does not.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, standard policies usually cover burst pipe damage only when the pipes are in a heated part of the home and reasonable steps were taken to keep the heat on. If the home is considered vacant, most policies exclude frozen pipe and water damage, even when you have permission to be away.
Ask your insurer three simple questions:
How many days away before my home counts as unoccupied or vacant? How often must someone check the property while I am gone? Do you require the water to be shut off and the lines drained?
Write the answers down. They decide which version of this checklist you follow.
Step Two: Decide Between “Heat On” and “Full Drain”
There are two safe ways to leave a Canadian home for the winter. Choose one and do it completely.
Option A: Heat on, water off, regular checks
This is the most common choice for snowbirds. You keep the furnace running, shut off the main water supply, drain the fixtures you can, and arrange for a trusted person to visit on the schedule your insurer requires. It protects the house without the full winterizing job.
Option B: Full winterizing drain
This is the right choice for cottages, seasonal properties, or homes where the heat will be turned off or set very low. Every line, trap and tank is drained and protected with non-toxic plumbing antifreeze. It takes more work, and it is worth booking a licensed plumber for it.
The Snowbird Plumbing Shut-Down Checklist
1. Find and test your main water shut-off valve
Your main shut-off is usually in the basement or mechanical room, close to where the water line enters through the foundation wall, often near the water meter. Turn it fully off a week before you leave to confirm it actually closes. Older gate valves can seize or fail to seal completely. If yours drips or will not turn, have it replaced before departure, not after.
2. Set the thermostat to a safe temperature
If you are leaving the heat on, do not drop the thermostat too low to save money. A setting of around 15°C keeps the inside of exterior walls and cabinets warm enough to protect pipes. Open the cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls so warm air can reach the plumbing.
Have your furnace serviced before you go. A furnace that quits in January is the most common reason an empty home ends up with frozen pipes. Our heating service team can inspect it before you leave.
3. Drain the water lines
With the main valve closed, open the highest faucet in the house first, then work down floor by floor, opening every hot and cold tap. Finish at the lowest faucet or drain valve in the basement. This lets air in at the top and water out at the bottom.
Flush every toilet and hold the handle down to empty as much of the tank as possible. Leave the faucets slightly open while you are away so any trapped water has room to expand.
4. Deal with outdoor faucets and hoses
Disconnect every garden hose. A hose left attached traps water inside the outdoor faucet, even a frost-free model, and can split the pipe inside the wall. If your outdoor taps have an interior shut-off valve, close it, then open the outdoor tap to drain the line. If your home still has an irrigation system, have it blown out with compressed air.
5. Protect your water heater
For a gas water heater, set the control to “vacation” or pilot mode. For an electric unit, switch off the breaker. If you are doing a full winterizing drain, turn the power or gas off first, then attach a hose to the drain valve and empty the tank completely. Never turn an electric heater back on until the tank is full again, or the elements will burn out.
Our guide to water heater maintenance after a hard Canadian winter covers what to check when you get back.
6. Protect the drain traps
Every sink, tub, shower and floor drain holds a small amount of water in its trap. That water blocks sewer gas from coming into the house. Over a long trip it can evaporate, or in an unheated home it can freeze and crack the trap. Pour a cup of non-toxic RV or plumbing antifreeze into each drain and toilet bowl. Never use automotive antifreeze.
7. Shut off appliance water supplies
Close the small supply valves behind the washing machine, dishwasher, and fridge ice maker or water dispenser. Washing machine hoses are one of the most common causes of water damage in Canadian homes. If yours are rubber, replace them with braided stainless steel before you leave.
8. Test the sump pump and backwater valve
A January thaw or early spring melt can fill your sump pit while you are away. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump starts and clears it. A battery backup is a smart addition for any home that will sit empty, because winter storms often bring power outages. If your home has a backwater valve, check that it is clean and closes freely.
9. Add smart leak protection
A Wi-Fi water leak sensor costs less than a single plumbing call and sends an alert to your phone the moment it detects water. A smart thermostat can warn you if the house temperature drops. For full protection, an automatic water shut-off valve closes the main supply on its own when a leak is detected. Learn more in our article on smart plumbing and drainage systems.
10. Arrange a house checker and leave clear instructions
Choose a neighbour, family member or property service you trust. Give them a key, the location of the main shut-off valve, your furnace details, and the phone number of a 24 hour plumber. Ask them to walk through every level of the house, including the basement, on each visit and to look for wet floors, stained ceilings, and cold rooms.
Save our number for them: 289-627-1460. If something goes wrong, our emergency plumbing service is available 24/7, including holidays.
Don’t Forget the Rest of the House
Plumbing is the biggest risk, but it is not the only one. If you have central air, cover and protect the outdoor unit. Our post on how to winterize your air conditioner explains how. Unplug small appliances, clear the eavestroughs, and make sure snow removal is arranged so the house does not look empty.
Before you book your flights, review the Government of Canada’s advice for Canadians travelling south for the winter, including travel health insurance and registering as a Canadian abroad.
Coming Home: Your Spring Start-Up Routine
Turning everything back on needs the same care as shutting it down. Close all the faucets you left open, then turn the main valve on slowly, a quarter turn at a time. Go through the house and open each tap until the water runs clear and steady, with no sputtering air.
Refill the water heater fully before restoring power or gas. Check under every sink, around the toilets and behind the washing machine for drips. Look at basement walls and ceilings for any stains that appeared while you were away.
A pipe that froze but did not leak can still have a hidden crack that opens once pressure returns. If you notice low water pressure, damp drywall, or the sound of running water when everything is off, call a plumber right away. Our article on the top 5 causes of burst pipes explains the warning signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off my water when I go south for the winter?
Yes. Shutting off the main water supply is the single most effective way to limit damage if a pipe fails. Many Canadian insurers also require it, or require regular property checks, before they will cover frozen pipe damage in a home left unoccupied.
What temperature should I leave my house at while I am away?
Around 15°C is a safe setting for most Canadian homes. Going lower increases the risk of pipes freezing inside exterior walls, especially during a cold snap. Always confirm any minimum temperature your insurance policy requires.
Do I need to drain my pipes if I leave the heat on?
If the heat stays on and someone checks the house regularly, closing the main valve and opening the faucets to release pressure is usually enough. A full drain with plumbing antifreeze is recommended when the heat will be off or set very low.
Can a plumber winterize my home before I leave?
Yes. A licensed plumber can shut down and drain your system, protect the traps, check your sump pump and water heater, and make sure the main valve seals properly. It is a small cost compared with a flooded basement.
Book Your Pre-Departure Plumbing Check
Leaving for the winter should feel relaxing, not stressful. 24/7 Emergency Plumber helps Canadian homeowners shut down, protect and restart their plumbing every season. From valve replacements to full winterizing, our residential plumbing team will get your home ready before you fly.
Call 289-627-1460 or book an appointment online. For more cold weather advice, read our guide to the top 5 winter plumbing emergencies in Canada.