It’s no secret that Edmonton winter can be harsh on your commercial building. Here at Karlen-Kada, we know that frozen pipes are the #1 concern for building owners and property managers during colder seasons. Wondering what you can do to protect yourself and your building? Here are three things you can do to prevent frozen pipes and keep your things running smoothly, no matter the external temperature.
Expert Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes
Identify Freeze-Up Concerns
Commercial buildings freeze differently—and more dangerously—than residential homes because they have more pipes in colder spaces, complex zoned heating systems, partially occupied areas that generate less ambient heat, and extensive mechanical rooms with interconnected plumbing. While a frozen pipe in your home might stop one tap from running, a single frozen mechanical room line can shut down heating for the entire building. That’s why proper winterization is so important for commercial plumbing in Edmonton.
Some high-risk locations in your building could include:
- Zone valves in apartment and condo units (especially exterior wall units)
- Wet sprinkler systems
- Mechanical rooms with unit heaters or hydronic heating lines.
- Cold storage rooms and walk-in freezers.
- Stairwells, basements, and crawl spaces with poor insulation.
- Outdoor hose bibs and seasonal water lines.
Not sure what building areas are vulnerable? Contact the Karlen-Kada team to schedule an educational walkthrough.
Address Issues Early
Once any potential problem areas have been identified, it is time to take action and ensure your building is prepared for cold temperatures. A building maintenance provider can help:
- Drain any unused water lines at risk of freezing.
- Inspect wet sprinkler systems to ensure they are adequately insulated and heat-traced.
- Insulate any other pipes that are at risk of freezing.
In addition to plumbing inspections, a single-service provider will also perform essential pre-winter checks, including inspecting and servicing heating systems and rooftop units and shutting down all cooling systems for the season. Wondering what else goes into our building winterization services? Read our previous blog post or contact our office for more information.
Educate Tenants & Staff
Your building likely houses many residents, all of whom can play a crucial part in protecting your pipes. In our experience, education goes a long way for key winter issues–which is why you should take some time to inform both your tenants and staff on best practices.
For tenants, try distributing a digital or physical notice with cold-weather tips, including:
- Clear prevention instructions: Keep windows and patio doors shut and firmly sealed during the wintertime, ensure the heating is working properly in your unit, and do not turn your thermostat off for extended periods.
- Warning signs: No heat or hot water, water leaks.
- Contact information in case of an emergency: Steps to take in case of frozen pipes and the correct way to report the issue.
For staff, ensure everyone is up to date with relevant information, including:
- Emergency response protocols: This could include how to identify issues, response timelines, and the chain of command in emergency situations.
- Shut-off valve locations: In case of a major water leak, staff should shut off the water supply while waiting for the plumber to arrive. Review where these valves are located and how to operate them.
Plumbing Emergency in Edmonton? Call Karlen-Kada
Burst pipes, clogged drains, sewer back-ups…plumbing emergencies can cause severe damage to your property and leave tenants without essential access to water. If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency in Edmonton or a surrounding area, contact Karlen-Kada today for fast and reliable support. For 24-hour support, call 780-453-1362.
Edmonton Plumbing Design, Installation, and Service
Your commercial property is a delicate ecosystem containing electrical systems, plumbing needs, mechanical demands, and more. Are you ready to partner with a building service provider who understands the whole picture? Karlen-Kada isn’t just a plumbing company–we’re a full-service team that can take care of every aspect of your building. From swapping a lightbulb to complex sound and security upgrades, we guarantee prompt response times, code-compliant installs, and high-quality service on every single project.
One call does it all with Karlen-Kada. Experience the difference of a single service provider today–request a quote or call our office for more information.