How to Prevent Frozen and Burst Pipes This Winter

Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter emergencies we respond to across Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, and Clarington. Water expands as it freezes, and that pressure has nowhere to go inside a sealed pipe — which is exactly how a small ice blockage turns into a burst pipe and a flooded home. Most of this is preventable with a few precautions before the cold sets in.

Insulate exposed and vulnerable pipes

Pipes running through unheated spaces — basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and exterior walls — are the most exposed to freezing temperatures. Foam pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive and take an afternoon to install, and they're the single most effective preventive step for these locations.

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses

Before the first hard freeze, disconnect garden hoses from exterior spigots and drain any remaining water. A hose left connected can trap water in the shutoff valve and the section of pipe just inside the wall, which is a common freeze point.

Keep garage doors closed

If any water supply lines run through your garage, keep the garage door closed as much as possible during cold snaps. An open garage door lets the temperature around those pipes drop much closer to outdoor conditions.

Let faucets drip during extreme cold

During severe cold snaps, allow faucets fed by exposed or vulnerable pipes to drip slightly. Moving water is far less likely to freeze than stagnant water, and a slow drip also relieves pressure buildup if ice does start to form elsewhere in the line.

Keep a consistent temperature — even when you're away

Never let your home's temperature drop below 12–13°C (55°F), even while travelling. If you're away for an extended period during winter, have someone check the property periodically, or consider shutting off and draining the water supply entirely if the home will be vacant for a long stretch.

Know where your main shutoff valve is

Before winter arrives, locate your home's main water shutoff valve and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. If a pipe does freeze and burst, shutting off the main valve immediately is the single most important thing you can do to limit damage while waiting for a plumber.