- Topic
- frozen pipe prevention
- For
- Newmarket homeowners
- Need a hand?
- (365) 990-3021
The reason it counts
Water expands as it freezes. Inside a pipe, that growth squeezes the water trapped between the frozen plug and a shut tap until the pipe gives way, frequently well away from the ice itself. Nothing seems wrong until the thaw, when water pours from the crack into a wall, ceiling or crawl space.
The pipes in most danger are the ones closest to the cold: supply lines on exterior walls, runs through garages and unheated additions, pipes above cantilevered floors and the short section feeding each outdoor tap. Older homes in town, with lighter insulation and draughty rim joists, have more of these spots than newer ones, but no house is immune.
Steps, in order
- Disconnect garden hoses before the first hard frost. A hose left attached traps water in the tap, even a frost-free one.
- Shut and drain outdoor taps. Close the basement valve that supplies each hose bib, then open the outside tap so the line empties.
- Insulate exposed pipes in the basement near the rim joist, in crawl spaces and in the garage. Foam pipe sleeves are cheap and quick to fit.
- Seal draughts. Gaps around dryer vents, cable entries and the rim joist let cold air blow straight onto pipes. Spray foam or caulking closes them.
- Leave sink cupboards open where they sit against exterior walls during the coldest nights so warm room air reaches the pipes.
- Keep the heat on. Even when away, leave the thermostat at a safe setting rather than turning it right down.
- Learn where the main shut-off is. If a pipe does burst, closing it fast limits the damage. Our circular on finding the main water shut-off points you to the usual places.
Bench note
On the very coldest nights, letting a faucet on a vulnerable wall run at a slow trickle keeps water moving and makes freezing much less likely.
If a pipe has already frozen
Signs include a tap that sputters weakly or stays dry, frost on an exposed pipe, or an odd smell from a drain. Leave the tap open, then bring the pipe up to temperature slowly with a hair dryer or hot damp towels, starting nearest the tap and working back. Never bring an open flame or a torch near it. If you cannot reach the frozen section, or it sits inside a wall, stop and call.
Once water moves again, check along the run for drips. A split pipe may not show itself until pressure returns.
Ringing for help
Call when a line freezes inside a wall or ceiling, when you suspect a split, or when one spot freezes winter after winter. Repeated freezing usually means the pipe sits in the wrong place, and the lasting fix may be to reroute it to a warmer wall. Repiping a short section is often a modest job.
After a thaw, small hidden leaks can linger. Leak detection finds them before they damage drywall or flooring.
Owners in Aurora and across Newmarket can reach us at (365) 990-3021 through the winter.
Phoned-in questions
What temperature do pipes freeze at?
Exposed pipes can freeze when outdoor temperatures drop well below zero for several hours, especially with wind. Pipes on exterior walls are most at risk.
Are frost-free outdoor taps safe if a hose is left on?
No. A hose left attached holds water in the tap and can still cause it to split inside the wall.
Should the water be off while I am away in winter?
Many owners do, and it limits damage if a pipe bursts. Keep the heat on either way.