Summary:
Heading out of Calgary for Thanksgiving? With colder weather approaching, a few checks before you leave can help protect your home. Learn what to check around your heating system, outdoor taps and indoor plumbing, and how to arrange a useful home check while you are away. Calgary's warm start to October makes it easy to put cold-weather preparation on hold. But if you are heading away for Thanksgiving, your home needs to be ready for the weather expected during your trip.

Environment Canada's Oct 5, 2026 forecast calls for rain or snow on Oct 10, 2026, with an overnight low of minus 4°C. Forecasts can change, so check the latest Calgary forecast before leaving. That does not mean every home is facing frozen pipes this weekend. It does make this a sensible time to confirm that your heating works, put away garden hoses and organise someone to check your home.

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Should you turn your heating off while you are away?

Keep your heating on, even if the afternoon feels warm when you leave. The City of Calgary recommends keeping your thermostat at a minimum of 15°C to help protect water lines from freezing.

Before your trip, check that your thermostat is set to heat and that any holiday or away schedule will maintain that minimum. If you use a smart thermostat, review the settings rather than assuming its automatic away mode is suitable.

Give the system a chance to run while you are still home. If it does not start or the house does not warm up, arrange service before leaving. A thermostat setting cannot protect your plumbing if the heating system is not working.

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What should you do with outdoor taps and garden hoses?

A warm afternoon can tempt you to leave the hose connected for one more week. Before travelling, disconnect garden hoses, drain them and put them away.

‍Outdoor tap winterisation depends on the installation. Where there is an interior shut-off and drain for the outdoor line, follow the correct procedure to isolate and drain it. If you cannot identify the valve or are unsure how your tap drains, have a plumber check it.

Do not assume that removing the hose completes every winterisation step. The aim is to avoid leaving water trapped in plumbing exposed to freezing temperatures.

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Which plumbing checks are worth doing before departure?

Make a quick walk through the house part of your packing routine. Look under kitchen and bathroom sinks, around toilet bases and beside the water heater for visible moisture or signs of an existing leak.

Check the laundry area too. If a hose connection is dripping or there is unexplained water on the floor, deal with it before the house is empty. Finish laundry and dishwasher cycles while you are still home so you can notice a problem.

Keep access to the main water shut-off clear. If you do not know where it is, find it before leaving and show the person checking your property. ERM's plumbing repair team can help investigate leaks that need attention before your trip.

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Is a smart thermostat enough to monitor an empty home?

A temperature alert can be useful, but someone still needs to respond if the home gets cold or a leak appears.

Arrange for a trusted person to check the property and review your insurance policy for any required inspection frequency. Give them access instructions, your contact details and the location of the main water shut-off.

Ask them to confirm that the home feels warm and look for visible water around plumbing fixtures. If something appears wrong, they should contact you promptly rather than waiting until you return.

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When should you book a plumber before your trip?

An active leak, unreliable heating or an outdoor tap you cannot winterise properly is worth addressing before departure. Avoid leaving an unresolved issue for the person watching your house to manage over the holiday.

ERM Plumbing & Heating provides plumbing and heating services in Calgary.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What temperature should I leave my Calgary home at while travelling?

The City of Calgary recommends keeping your thermostat at a minimum of 15°C to help protect water lines from freezing. Keep the heating on and check that your away schedule maintains this temperature.

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Can pipes freeze during a short Thanksgiving trip?

The risk depends on the temperature around the pipes, how long they are exposed to cold, and whether the home stays heated. Outdoor lines and plumbing in unheated or draughty areas need particular attention.

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Should I disconnect my garden hose before leaving for the weekend?

Yes, if freezing temperatures are possible. Disconnect and drain the hose, then winterise the outdoor tap according to its installation. Ask a plumber for help if you are unsure how to isolate and drain the line.

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Heading out of Calgary for Thanksgiving? Leave your home ready for colder weather.

Before you pack up for the long weekend, make sure your plumbing and heating are ready for a drop in temperature. Whether you have a dripping outdoor tap, an unexplained leak or a heating system that is not warming your home properly, ERM Plumbing & Heating can assess the problem and explain what needs attention.

Our team can help you address those concerns before you leave. Contact ERM to arrange service, and travel knowing you have taken practical steps to protect your home.

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