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Protecting Your Strata Property: A Winter Preparation Guide

September 11, 2025

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Protecting Your Strata Property: A Winter Preparation Guide

As the temperatures begin to drop, it's crucial for strata corporations to take proactive steps to protect their buildings from costly winter damage. One of the most important ways to protect your property is by winterizing pipes, irrigation systems, and other water-related infrastructure.

Failing to prepare for freezing weather can lead to burst pipes, water damage, and expensive emergency repairs that affect everyone in the building. Here's why winterizing should be at the top of your strata's fall maintenance checklist.

Why Winterizing Matters

Prevent Burst Pipes
When water freezes, it expands. Any standing water left in outdoor pipes, irrigation lines, or even exposed plumbing inside cold areas like parkades or crawlspaces can cause the pipe to crack or burst.

Extend the Life of Irrigation Systems
Sprinkler and irrigation lines are particularly vulnerable to freezing. Without proper blow-out and shut-off procedures, underground lines can crack and sprinkler heads can break.

Avoid Costs and Inconvenience to Owners and Residents
Burst pipes don't just cause damage and unnecessary expense, they disrupt residents' lives. Repairs can mean temporary water shut-offs, closed common areas, or even evacuations in severe cases.

Key Areas to Winterize

Your strata's specific needs will depend on the property type, but here are some common areas to focus on:

Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems: Shut off water supply and fully blow out lines to prevent freezing
Outdoor Hose Bibs and Faucets: Disconnect hoses and use insulated covers or shut-off valves
Pool and Hot Tub Equipment: Drain and properly store or cover pumps and filters
Exterior Water Features: Drain and protect pumps from freezing in fountains and similar features
Unheated Interior Spaces: Insulate exposed pipes in parkades, crawlspaces, and mechanical rooms

Creating a Winterization Plan

At Wynford, we work with our clients and their trades to ensure winterization is completed as part of our maintenance plan. We follow these key principles:

Schedule Early
Arrange for winterization services well before freezing temperatures arrive. Contractors get booked quickly in the fall, so early planning is key.

Work with Professionals
Use qualified plumbers, landscapers, or pool maintenance providers to perform winterization tasks.

Document the Process
Keep records of inspections, maintenance, and service invoices to demonstrate due diligence if needed for insurance or compliance.

Communicate with Owners
Notify residents of any necessary steps they need to take, such as draining individual unit pipes or protecting patio taps.

By being proactive now, your strata can avoid emergency calls on freezing nights, maintain insurance coverage, and keep your property and residents safe and comfortable all winter long.