12 September

A Homeowner’s Guide to Frozen Pipes

Winter is upon us, and Ontario homeowners know that freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on water pipes. If you’ve turned on your faucet to find only a trickle or nothing coming out, you may face one of the most common winter plumbing problems: frozen pipes in the house.

In Canada, water damage—including burst pipes—is the number one reason behind most home insurance claims, which can cost homeowners up to $4,200 or more in repairs. That’s why for people looking up “Frozen pipes, what to do?” the best answer is always prevention…or a call to a fast-responding 24/7 emergency plumber.

But wait, how do you prevent frozen pipes, anyway? You’re in luck, because we have the answers you need. This guide dives into the causes, signs, solutions, and preventative measures for frozen pipes. Without further ado, let’s get started!

The Science Behind Frozen Pipes

Before we discuss what to do about frozen pipes, let’s discuss the factors that drive this common winter plumbing issue.

What Causes Frozen Pipes?

Frozen pipes occur primarily due to low temperatures, but cold weather isn’t the only culprit in this frigid fiasco. Several factors heighten the risk, including:

• Poor insulation
• Wind chill
• Pipe material (metal pipes like copper often freeze faster)
• Stagnant water

At What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze in Canada?

In Canada, pipes in the home will generally be prone to freezing when temperatures drop to -4°C or below. But cold temperatures don’t automatically mean frozen water pipes—location matters.

For instance, most outdoor pipes in Canada are buried underground, so they usually freeze at around -20°C, while indoor pipes can freeze at higher temperatures (around 0°C) especially if heating isn’t on or they’re not properly insulated. Both metal and plastic pipes are vulnerable to freezing, but the cold weather can be especially tough for exposed water pipes located outside, in uninsulated attics, basements, or along exterior walls.

How Long Does It Take for Pipes to Freeze?

On average, it takes approximately 6 hours of exposure to cold temperatures before pipes freeze. But in Canada, several factors—including wind chill, insulation quality, and the specific location of the pipes—can significantly affect this timeframe.

In particularly harsh conditions, like a cold snap, pipes may freeze even faster. So, homeowners should always remain vigilant and take proactive steps to prevent getting frozen pipes in the house.

Do Frozen Pipes Always Burst?

Although common, frozen pipes don’t always burst. However, leaving frozen water pipes to thaw on their own can significantly increase the risk of cracking or bursting. This risk arises from two key factors: the expansion of frozen water and the pressure it generates.

As water freezes and crystallizes into ice, it also expands in volume by approximately 9%. Surprisingly, this alone does not typically cause a pipe to crack or burst. The frozen water partially or fully obstructs the pipe, and thus water cannot flow like usual. Over time, this obstruction creates increased pressure, which can cause the pipe to bulge and eventually crack or burst.

→ Learn more: What to Do If Your Pipes Burst

Image Source: Canva

How to Spot Frozen Water Pipes

You know what’s behind frozen pipes. What to do next? You’ll want to identify freezing pipes before they cause further damage.

How to Tell If Pipes Are Frozen

Quick detection of frozen pipes is key here. Here’s how to tell if you have frozen pipes in the house:

• Lack of water or reduced water flow from one or more faucets (or other water fixtures)
• Unusual whistling, banging, or clanking noises coming from the pipes or behind the walls
• A visible bulge and/or crack on an exposed pipe
• Icy residue found on an exposed pipe.

Pro tip: The longer you wait, the bigger the potential damage. Once you notice one or a combination of these signs of frozen pipes, contact an expert plumber immediately. Look for emergency plumbers who can come to your rescue 24/7 or advise you on what steps to take.

How to Locate Frozen Pipes in Your House

One of the biggest issues for Ontario homeowners is identifying where frozen pipes are located within the house. With some patience and working knowledge of your home’s plumbing, you can narrow down the affected areas.

However, time is truly of the essence here—if left too long, frost can lead to cracks. It’s always wise to call an expert emergency plumber for a quick and safe resolution.

If you’d like to zero in on the frozen water pipes while the plumber is on the way, try these steps:

1. Eliminate Exposed Pipes from the List

An exposed pipe freezes first. Before proceeding with the next steps, check if the ice blockage is visible in the feeder pipes or other bare pipes in your home. Don’t forget to check any uncovered pipes near the affected faucet or shower. Your exposed pipes are frozen if you see:

• Icy residues or condensation on the pipe
• A slight bulge along the pipe

2. Determine the Scope of the Problem

If you’re sure the problem isn’t within one of your home’s exposed pipes, then here’s what you need to do next. Try turning on all the faucets and water fixtures within the house, and take note of the ones that aren’t working.

This is valuable information for your plumber, so whether you find the freezing pipes or not, this step pays off. Here’s how to check for frozen pipes in the house:

• If all the faucets within a single room aren’t working, the pipe you’re looking for splits from the mainline on that floor.
• If all faucets and water fixtures on the same floor are not working, the frozen pipe would be where the water line for the first and second floors separate.
• If none of the faucets and water fixtures in the house are working, then the frozen water is likely to be in the main water pipe that supplies water to the house.

3. Identify the Exact Location

Once you’ve narrowed down which pipe is likely to be affected, you can try to locate the exact location where freezing has taken place. If you know where your home’s water pipes are, try to feel the wall along those pipes. In some cases, if the pipe is frozen, there would be a palpable temperature difference. This isn’t an exact method, but it can help in certain cases.

Pro tip: Another possible way to detect frozen pipes is to check for areas where insulation may be lacking or damaged. Insufficient insulation can lead to an increased risk of frozen pipes, so there’s a high chance your frozen pipes are concentrated in areas that aren’t heated well.

Image Source: Canva

What to Do About Frozen Water Pipes

You identified your frozen pipes. What to do now? This section covers everything you need to know about fixing frozen water pipes.

Should I Turn Off Water If the Pipes Are Frozen?

Yes, we recommend turning off your main water supply if you have frozen water pipes. This helps relieve pressure inside the pipes and reduces the chance of them cracking or bursting due to ice expansion.

After shutting off the water, check your pipes for any visible damage. If you see cracks or holes, call a plumber right away. They can safely thaw the pipes and fix any damage to prevent costly repairs.

Note: Once your plumber arrives, they may locate the frozen section of pipes and turn on the faucet connected to that pipe. While this may seem counterintuitive, shutting off the main water source prevents pressure buildup while opening the faucet allows water to flow out of the pipe once it thaws.

→ Learn more: How to Turn off Outside Water for Winter

Should You Thaw Frozen Pipes?

We don’t recommend DIY thawing of frozen pipes, especially inside the walls. Most homeowners can’t locate them accurately. Plus, even with the right thawing methods in place, focusing on the wrong spot can lead to costly mistakes.

However, if you can’t secure a plumber yet or are waiting for one to arrive, you can try thawing frozen pipes using DIY methods. However, these methods usually work best in exposed pipes where you can apply heat directly. For indoor plumbing, it’s best to secure emergency plumbing services.

How to Unfreeze Pipes Safely

Turn Up Your Thermostat

Turning up the temperature of your thermostat can help thaw frost off of pipes. It’s best to use this solution straight away after detecting frozen pipes. This heats the entire house, so you don’t need to pinpoint the exact location of the problem. That said, this probably won’t work for outdoor pipes or those in uninsulated areas.

Apply Direct Heat

Thawing a frozen pipe is straightforward if it’s exposed. However, if the frozen pipe is inside a wall, you may need to expose it, which should only be a last resort. Do this only if you’re certain of the pipe’s location and cannot contact a plumber.

Some homeowners opt to cut into the wall, rather than risk water damage when the pipe bursts. If you decide to expose the frozen pipe or if it’s already accessible, you can safely use one of the following methods to apply direct heat and thaw it:

• An electric heating pad or blanket
• An infrared lamp
• An automatic electrical heat tape with rubber insulation
• A space heater
• Towels soaked in hot water
• A hairdryer

For best results, use any of these methods in conjunction with raising the thermostat if the pipe is indoors.

Pro tip: In any of the above thawing methods, keep the affected faucet or water fixture open to allow pressure to escape as the ice blockage melts. This will also let you know if your thawing method works.

Caution: What to Avoid

Anything that involves direct flame, flammable materials, or any other open flame device should be avoided. This can potentially destroy your pipes or result in a residential fire. You also shouldn’t use a heat gun!

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While DIY solutions can help in a pinch, the safest way to deal with frozen pipes in the house is to call a professional. You should try to thaw frozen pipes on your own only as a last resort, or while waiting for a plumber to arrive.

Here are some signs you need to call a professional plumber:

• You can’t find the frozen pipe.
• You’re not confident in your handyman skills and unsure how to unfreeze the pipes safely.
• You suspect a bigger problem—let’s say, you live in an older home and worry your aging pipes won’t make it.

If any of these situations apply to you, it’s best to contact a reliable plumbing service. They’ll have the expertise and specialized tools to fix frozen pipes quickly and safely.

Pro tip: Choose reliable plumbers who can provide long-term solutions, not just quick fixes. Experienced professionals like PlumbWize can not only fix your frozen pipes, but also advise on proper pipe insulation or upgrades to help you prevent future problems.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Future

No one wants to deal with frozen pipes. Here are some steps you can take to proactively avoid this costly disaster:

• Turn off (and drain) water from your outdoor faucets and hoses. These water fixtures will be of little to no use during the winter. Their adjacent pipes are also the most prone to freezing.
• Get insulation on vulnerable pipes in uninsulated areas or your home’s exterior walls.
• Keep the thermostat at a constant temperature of at least 12°C in your home.
• If you’re leaving for an extended period, make sure to turn off (and drain) water from every water fixture in the house.
• Keep the garage doors closed when not in use.
• Seal all doors (including garage doors) and windows with caulk or weather strips.

→ Learn more: 7 Tips to Prevent a Frozen Sewer Line

Who to Call for 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Services

When you spot signs of frozen pipes, act fast! Delays can lead to cracked pipes and costly water damage. Call PlumbWize for top-notch plumbing services in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Milton, Ancaster, and Stoney Creek.

Why choose PlumbWize?

• Lightning-fast response times
• 24/7 availability
• Over 20 years of proven track record in residential and commercial plumbing
• Upfront and affordable costs
• Comprehensive plumbing solutions including pipe thawing, repair, and replacement

Don’t let frozen pipes give you the cold shoulder. Thaw your plumbing problems with PumbWize. Give us a call for your urgent plumbing needs!

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