If you live in a condo here in Vancouver, the holiday season brings more than turkey dinners and festive lights — it also brings plumbing risks that many overlook. At Einstein Pros Plumbing, we’ve helped many homeowners through holiday plumbing issues and emergencies. Here’s a detailed guide to protecting your condo’s plumbing over the holidays.
1. Understand why this season is tricky
The late‑fall and early‑winter period in Metro Vancouver means colder nights and heavier rainfall. While we rarely face the extreme sub‑zero cold of other regions, that doesn’t mean pipes aren’t vulnerable. As noted in a guide to plumbing and drainage repair by the City of Vancouver, closed windows or open patio doors during cold spells can accelerate freezing or pipe stress.
In a condo setting you may have other traps — shared walls, exterior‑facing pipes, under‑insulated spaces, HVAC equipment you don’t control, and guests coming and going. That means you’ll want to take extra steps before a midnight flood or a frozen pipe wreaks havoc.
2. Drip if you’ll be away, or shut things off
If you’re leaving the condo for a few days over the holidays (for travel or visiting family), there are two solid options:
- Set your thermostat low but not off (e.g., 16‑18 °C) and let a faucet near an exterior wall drip slightly. The experts at Homes & Gardens recommend letting both hot and cold taps drip in single‑handle fixtures to ensure flow in both lines, especially when temperatures may dip below freezing. Homes and Gardens
- Better yet: shut off the main water supply and open the lowest faucet in your suite to relieve pressure and drain residual water. This takes away most of the risk of freeze‑expansion or burst pipes.
At Einstein Pros Plumbing we can help identify which valve is your main shut‑off and walk you through the sequence so you don’t return to a surprise puddle.
3. Inspect and insulate vulnerable pipes
In condos the most at‑risk plumbing lines are often those that run along exterior walls, through unheated box‑outs, behind cabinets, or in service ducts. One winter‑prep guide emphasises insulating pipes, especially those in colder areas, to prevent freezing.
Action steps:
- Open under‑sink cabinet doors in winter to allow warmer room air to circulate around pipes.
- Identify any exposed water supply lines along exterior walls or near windows; wrap them in foam pipe insulation or heat tape if you’re comfortable, or ask us at Einstein Pros Plumbing to do it.
- Check if the heating system is functioning well — low indoor temperatures raise the risk of freezing in peripheral plumbing zones.
4. Shut off and drain exterior connections
Even if you live in a high‑rise condo without yard hose bibs, check any balcony faucets, irrigation lines (if applicable) or external cleaning taps. A useful checklist from a Vancouver home‑maintenance blog reminds to shut off and drain all outdoor lines to avoid freezing damage.
If you find a hose still connected or an exterior valve leaking, call Einstein Pros Plumbing right away — we can install proper shut‑offs or insulation covers.
5. Check drains and sanitary flow ahead of the season
Holiday gatherings mean more kitchen and bathroom use — more cooking, more guests, potentially more stress on your plumbing. It’s a good time to ensure your drains are clear, the main sewer line is flowing freely (especially in older strata buildings), and you know how and where to use the main shut‑off. The City of Vancouver highlights the importance of identifying your water‑ or sewer‑connection and access to the clean‐out as part of good maintenance. City of Vancouver
Einstein Pros Plumbing can inspect your drain risers, check for slow drainage in bathrooms or tubs, and advise on any latent issues before the holiday rush.
6. Know your emergency plan
When a pipe bursts or a drain backs up in December, things escalate fast — damage, insurance claims, mould risk, guest disruption. Make sure you (or your strata manager) have:
- The main water‑shut‑off location clearly labelled.
- A backup plan: contact details for Einstein Pros Plumbing’s 24/7 service.
- A quick check list: “If water is running but shouldn’t be, shut main, call pro.”
- Awareness of your building’s insurance and strata responsibilities (particularly if the issue is shared plumbing or envelope‑related).
7. Leverage our holiday‑focused service at Einstein Pros Plumbing
At Einstein Pros Plumbing we specialise in condo plumbing throughout Vancouver. Over the holidays we help with: pipe insulation installations, valve checks, emergency shut‑offs, drain clearing, and advice on managing plumbing when you’re traveling. If you’d like to schedule a pre‑holiday plumbing inspection, our team is ready to ensure your condo is protected.
8. Summary: Your holiday plumbing checklist
- Set the thermostat at a safe minimum (≈16 °C) or shut water off and drain.
- Let a faucet near an external wall drip slightly (or ensure main shut‑off is off).
- Insulate exposed pipes and open cabinet doors to warm them.
- Shut off and drain any exterior or balcony taps.
- Clear drains ahead of heavy use (holiday guests, cooking).
- Know your shut‑off valve and keep Einstein Pros Plumbing’s contact handy.
With a little preparation, you can keep the holidays festive — without the worry of a plumbing emergency. If you’d like us to visit your suite and perform a winter‑ready plumbing check, contact Einstein Pros Plumbing and we’ll make sure you enjoy your holiday season worry‑free.
For more information or to schedule a check‑up, reach out to Einstein Pros Plumbing — your trusted Vancouver condo plumbing partner.
Sources:
ENERGY STAR – Smart Thermostat Savings
This Old House – Pipe Lifespan
City of Vancouver – Home Maintenance Guide
Metro Vancouver – Water Conservation