Frozen Pipes
Extreme cold weather can lead to frozen pipes in your home. When water freezes in a pipe, there is no space for the ice to expand and can even create enough pressure to burst most pipes. This can cause damage to your property, costly repairs and unnecessary water waste.
Pipes that freeze most commonly are:
- exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
- in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
- run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.
Here is some helpful information on how you can reduce the risk of your pipes freezing and tips for thawing them out if they do.
Remember:
From the property line to your home, you are responsible for plumbing, repairs and replacements. Call a plumber for household plumbing issues. For more information on property owner’s responsibility, please visit our Responsibility page.
Home Prep for Cold Weather
Taking steps to prevent and reduce the risk of frozen pipes is key. Here are some steps you should take:
- Locate your property’s main indoor water shut-off valve and make sure it works before an emergency arises.
- Before the first frost, locate your property’s outdoor water supply shut-off valve and turn it off. The outdoor water shut-off valve is inside, close to where your outside taps come into your home.
- After you’ve closed your outside shut-off valve, disconnect and drain garden hoses. Open your outside taps to drain them. Keep outdoor taps in the open position so that any water remaining in the pipe has room to expand without causing the pipe to burst.
- Look for drafts of cold air in your home, especially in areas close to water pipes. Weather strip and/or seal windows and doors that need it. Insulate areas that allow cold air to enter your home. This will save on heating costs and prevent cold air from entering your home, reducing the risk of freezing pipes.
- Consider installing products designed to insulate water pipes (i.e. pipe sleeve).
- Check your insulation. Wet insulation freezes fast, making it worse than no insulation at all.
- Winterize sprinkler systems, pools, and spas as per manufacturer’s guidelines.
Signs of a Frozen Pipe
- Frost or condensation on the pipe. Often the frozen area of the pipe will be frosted or have ice on it.
- If the pipe is frozen solid, it may appear to be bulging or a crack.
- Reduced water flow from tap(s) or no water at all. Some taps in your home may still be functional if they are connected to a pipe that is not frozen.
- Pay attention to unfamiliar noises that may come from your toilets, sinks, or other plumbing. Listen for bubbling, whistling, banging, or clanking. These noises may indicate damaged pipes.
My Pipe is Frozen! Now What?
If pipes in your house are frozen, here are some tips and precautions when thawing frozen pipes
Next Steps:
- Turn on a tap in the basement or a faucet that is connected to the frozen pipe, so that when the water begins to flow again, you know the pipe has thawed.
- If the frozen pipe can be located, gradually thaw it using one of the following methods:
- Remove obstructions or enclosures and expose the pipe to warm open air.
- Wrap warm (not hot or boiling) towels or cloths around the pipe. The key to safely thawing frozen pipes is to apply slow, even heat.
Do Not use open flames such as a candle, blowtorch or boiling water to thaw the pipe. Overheating the pipe may cause it to burst or may cause a fire.
Do Not use space heaters, heat guns, hair dryers, heating pads or any other electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Leaking water could cause an electrical shock
If you notice a crack, leak, or bulging in the pipe, shut off your home’s main indoors water shut-off valve (which is usually located in your basement, near your water meter). This will prevent excess water coming into the pipes and prevent pressure from building, which can lead to further damage.
If you are not able to locate the frozen pipe, or are unsure of what to do, contact a licensed plumber.
If damage occurs to the water meter (cracked/frozen), InnServices cannot provide assistance until the pipes are thawed. If property Owner has a damaged/frozen water meter, InnServices is responsible for coming in (after pipes thawed) to replace/fix however the homeowner is responsible for associated costs.
A Pipe Burst! What Do I Do?
- Shut off your home’s main indoor water shut-off valve. Before anything else, turn off the water supply. You don’t want any new water in the pipe system when there is a burst. The water already in the system is much easier to deal with than any new water.
- Call a plumber. Do this as soon as you are able to. You never know when the plumber is able to come to your home, so call as soon as possible to keep the wait time down.
- Open all taps and drain water. This removes the water left in the system, taking some of the pressure off the pipes and ensures they’re dry so no more water leaks through. Flush toilets multiple times to drain the water out of those. Start with cold water, then move to hot water. Make sure the boiler or water heater is off when you do this.
- Place a bucket under the leak until the pipe can be repaired. Only if safe to do so, clean up water to avoid excess water damage. Be mindful of hazards such as electricity.
Winter Vacation Checklist
If you are planning a vacation during colder weather months, here are some steps you can take to protect your home and prevent freezing pipes while you are away.
- Leave the heat on in your home. Keep the thermostat set to at least 15 Degrees Celsius (59 Degrees Fahrenheit).
- Shut off your property’s main indoor water shut-off valve and drain your pipes.
- If you shut off your indoor water supply, make sure to turn off your hot water heater to prevent it from burning out.
- Arrange for someone to check up on your home on a regular basis – especially during extreme temperatures.