Are You Winter Ready?
Managing Your Heat to Mitigate Flooding
As temperatures drop, the risk of frozen pipes increases dramatically. A freeze-up can cause extensive damage to your unit and neighbouring units — and the associated costs are always charged back to the unit where the issue began. Please review the reminders below to protect your home and avoid a costly loss.
Prepare: Ensure Your Heat Is Working
Test your thermostat and zone valves. Turn your thermostat up and feel the tops of your radiators. If they remain cold, a plumber is required.
Troy’s Tip: Turn the thermostat fully on and off a few times — this can sometimes “restart” the system.
Owner Responsibility: Thermostats, zone valves and related repairs are the Unit Owner’s responsibility. Scheduling service during regular business hours is far less expensive than after-hours emergency calls.
NOTE: If the office receives a “no-heat” call — during the day or after hours — Red Haus will dispatch repairs immediately. In freezing conditions we cannot risk a pipe freeze if a resident doesn’t have heat. The Unit Owner will be notified and all costs will be charged back.
Recommendation
Conduct routine inspections of all in-unit plumbing, including shut-off valves, zone valves, air vents, taps, hoses (dishwasher and washing machine), and supply lines. These components are the Owner’s responsibility to maintain.
Also ensure all windows and patio doors close and lock properly.
As per the Bylaws
Owners and occupants must not leave windows or doors open when temperatures are at or below 0°C.
Heating pipes run along exterior walls beneath windows and patio doors. Leaving these open in freezing weather can cause the pipes to freeze and burst — often damaging multiple units. All costs for this type of loss are charged back to the unit that caused the freeze-up.
What Can a Loss Cost? A Real Example
While every incident is unique, this recent Red Haus example highlights the potential financial impact:
Cause: Leak from a valve inside a unit
Number of Units affected: 3
Plumbing repairs: $311.97
Emergency clean-up: $9,954.95
Restoration and repairs: $25,817.16
Total: $36,084.08
This total does not include:
Content removal or manipulation
Additional living expenses
Replacement of upgrades or betterments (e.g., flooring)
These costs fall to the Owner’s personal insurance.
Take Action
Please take time now to:
✓ Test your heating system
✓ Inspect your plumbing components
✓ Ensure windows and doors fully close
✓ Schedule repairs before temperatures drop further
A few simple checks today can prevent a costly and disruptive loss tomorrow.