Why You Must Keep Your Heat On When Traveling in Winter

Winter in the Niagara Region can be unforgiving. Turning off the heat to save a few dollars when you travel might seem smart, but it can lead to a disaster. And a renovation bill no homeowner wants.

What Happens When Pipes Freeze

When temperatures drop below freezing on cold Niagara nights in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, and across the region, water inside your pipes can freeze. As it freezes, it expands. That expansion puts a lot of pressure on your plumbing. If the pipe can't handle it, it bursts.

Once a pipe bursts, the damage spreads quickly:

• Flooding runs through walls, floors, and ceilings
• Drywall soaks through, warps, and has to be replaced
• Flooring like hardwood, laminate, or tile can be ruined
• Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours in damp, dark spaces
• Structural damage can affect framing, subfloors, and insulation

This is rarely a quick fix. Often it means a full renovation from the ground up.

A Niagara-on-the-Lake Story: 2022

In early 2022, a Niagara-on-the-Lake homeowner left for a winter trip and turned off the heat to save on utilities. A cold snap hit. Pipes froze. They burst.

By the time the family returned, the damage was bad. Water had soaked through drywall, flooring, and insulation. Mold had started. What began as "fix the pipe" turned into a complete home renovation.

We were called in to restore the property. We stripped the affected areas to the studs, replaced damaged framing where needed, and installed new drywall, flooring, and finishes.

The home looks great now and everything works. But the lesson is clear: a small heating bill is nothing compared to the cost of a full renovation after a burst pipe.

Set Your Thermostat Before You Travel

Before any winter trip, set your thermostat to at least 55°F (12°C). That keeps pipes from freezing without running up a big heating bill.

A few more tips for Niagara homeowners:

• If you'll be away a while, ask a neighbour or friend to check on the house
• Leave cabinet doors under sinks open so warm air can reach the pipes
• Consider shutting off the main water supply if you'll be gone for a long time
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, attics, and garages

We're Here to Help, But Prevention Is Better

At Byout Renovations, we've helped Niagara homeowners recover from burst pipe disasters. We can repair drywall, replace flooring, and restore your home. But we'd rather you avoid the disaster in the first place.

Keep the heat on when you travel. Protect your pipes. And if you ever need renovation help in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Thorold, Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, or anywhere in the Niagara Region, we're here for you.