One of the most common plumbing issues during the winter in the GTA is frozen pipes. The water turns to ice, halts flow, and potentially fractures the pipe as the ice expands by approximately 9%. A single pipe bursting can fill a completed basement in just minutes and leave you with big clean-up and repair bills to cover. This guide is an all-in-one resource for homeowners in Toronto and the GTA. You’ll learn what temperatures can cause pipes to freeze, how to identify a frozen line, how to prevent pipes from freezing, and how to safely thaw a frozen pipe. Since 2013, Everest Drain & Plumbing has answered these calls in the GTA, so the information below is based on local homes and local winters. Table Of Contents 1. At What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze in the GTA? 2. Which Pipes Are Most Likely to Freeze? 3. How Do You Know if a Pipe Is Frozen? 4. Who Owns the Water Service Pipe in Toronto? 5. How to Prevent Frozen Pipes 6. How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe Step by Step 7. When Should You Call a Licensed Plumber? 8. What Does Frozen Pipe Damage Cost? 9. Winter Plumbing Help in Toronto and the GTA At What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze in the GTA? Water turns into ice at 0°C, but your pipes don’t freeze the instant the temperature drops to zero. The danger begins when the outside temperatures remain below approximately -4°C for several hours and the cold penetrates the walls and pipe cavities. The City of Toronto urges residents to take action once forecast nighttime temperatures drop below -10°C. The number on the thermometer is as important as the time and location. It takes about 6 hours for a pipe to freeze when it is cold. Buried outdoor lines typically last until around -20°C and copper pipes tend to freeze more quickly than flexible PEX or plastic. The peak risk time in the GTA is December to February, but a cold snap can cause a pipe to freeze as early as late November or as late as early April. Which Pipes Are Most Likely to Freeze? Cold reaches some pipes long before others. The lines at greatest risk are located in areas that are unheated or inadequately insulated from your home’s warm air. Pipes that are exposed on exterior walls with little or no insulation. Water lines in unheated basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages. Outdoor hose bibbs, sprinkler lines and indoor shut-off valves. The water service pipe enters your home through the foundation wall. Older homes throughout the GTA are at an additional risk. Many people have copper or galvanized supply lines and these metal pipes heat quickly and freeze before newer plastic pipes. Need Professional Plumbing Help? Our licensed experts are standing by 24/7. Call (416) 383-7378 How Do You Know if a Pipe Is Frozen? During cold weather, turn on a tap and get no water or a thin trickle. That’s the best indicator that a pipe has frozen somewhere in the line. Some of the other clues lead to the same conclusion: Frost or a thin layer of ice on an exposed pipe. A visible bulge or split in the pipe. Gurgling, banging or whistling noises when using water. A faint odor coming back up from a drain is a sign of ice-clogged drains. Take action immediately in response to these signs. It is the pressure that develops between the tap and the ice that causes the pipe to burst, and not the ice. Who Owns the Water Service Pipe in Toronto? The water service pipe is owned by two parties. The City of Toronto owns the section from the street water main up to your property line. The portion from the property line to the house is yours along with pipes in your walls. This split is important on a freezing night. If a pipe freezes or bursts on your side of the property line, it is your responsibility to fix it. Locate the main water shut-off and know how to turn it off before winter. It is typically located in the basement or crawlspace of most homes in the GTA, close to the water meter, on the exterior of the house, or on the street-side wall. The best way to avoid a flooded basement is to have a fast shut-off. How to Prevent Frozen Pipes When it comes to prevention, the cost is a few dollars and a little time. The expense of a frozen pipe is much higher. Prepare for the cold by following these steps, then make adjustments to your habits during a deep freeze. Before the Cold Season Insulate pipes that tend to freeze, particularly near exterior walls and crawl spaces, in the attic and the garage. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive at any home improvement center and heat tape is effective on the coldest areas. Drain outdoor hoses, turn off the outdoor water shutoff and allow taps to drain. Outdoor faucets are the first to freeze. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, dryer vents and areas where pipes enter walls or foundation. Cold drafts enter pipes and freeze them. Know where the main shut-off valve is located, test it, and teach your family how to use it. During a Deep Freeze Ensure temperatures don’t drop below 8°C around water pipes indoors, and beware of the area near the water meter. On the coldest nights, try to set the heating one or two degrees higher at night. Maintain a consistent temperature throughout the day and night and never lower the temperature below 13°C, even when you are out of the house. Leave the doors of the kitchen, bathroom and laundry cabinets open to allow warm room air to reach the pipes inside. If water supply lines are in the garage, keep the door closed. Run a pencil-thin stream of water from a tap on a vulnerable line. Let it run all day and all night until the temperature returns to normal, and keep the drain open so that it is not filled to capacity. Install a 60-watt light bulb or a heat lamp on a pipe near a cold corner and keep flammable materials a good distance away. Before You Travel Shut off the main water supply and drain the lines by opening the lowest tap. Don’t turn off the heat, but maintain it at a comfortable level. Ask a neighbour or friend to check the house every few days. Smart Tools Worth Adding Some modern features provide an additional level of safety during a GTA winter. A smart thermostat lets you remotely track and manage the temperature inside your home with ease from your phone. Wi-Fi water and freeze sensors alert when they detect a leak or a temperature fall below freezing. An automatic shut-off valve automatically turns off the water if it detects a leak, preventing damage from a burst pipe. How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe Step by Step Found a frozen pipe that has not burst? It can be thawed at home with gentle heat. Move slowly and keep the following order. Open the affected tap. Running water relieves the pressure and helps the ice melt once it starts to move. Look for the frozen area. Typically, they are around an exterior wall or where the water service pipe goes in through the foundation. Check the pipe for a cold spot, frost or bulge. Gently heat the frozen section from the tap out. A hair dryer, a heating pad, a space heater, or an old towel with hot water will do. Continue heating until full flow is restored. Depending on the temperature and how hard the pipe froze, thawing takes one to six hours. Run a small trickle flow after to prevent refreezing of the line. Slowly turn the water back on and inspect the pipe for any cracks or leaks. Check the other taps in your home. One frozen pipe often means others are at risk too. Do not thaw a pipe if it has already burst. Turn off the main water valve immediately and call a licensed plumber. When Should You Call a Licensed Plumber? There are some frozen-pipe situations that don’t get resolved with a quick fix. Call a licensed plumber when any of these apply: The frozen pipe cannot be located, accessed or thawed. Multiple taps are frozen simultaneously, this is indicative of a frozen main line. A pipe has burst or there are water stains, damp areas or leaks. Your home has older galvanized or copper lines that continue to freeze. For residents of Toronto, call 311 to report issues along the City’s side of the property line. What Does Frozen Pipe Damage Cost? A burst pipe can cost a lot of money. One of the most frequent home insurance claims in Canada is water damage, which can cost thousands of dollars, sometimes exceeding $4,200. A burst pipe can leak water at a rate of 30 litres per minute, so a crack can fill a room in no time. Your insurance also may require you to take reasonable actions, such as leaving the heat on or turning off the water when you are away. It costs much less to install a few dollars of foam insulation and a steady temperature than to clean up. Winter Plumbing Help in Toronto and the GTA A GTA winter is predictable with preparation. Insulate the pipes that are vulnerable, maintain consistent heat and allow a tap trickle on very cold nights. If a pipe still freezes, thaw it slowly and carefully, otherwise contact someone to help before the pipe bursts. Everest Drain & Plumbing has kept water flowing in Toronto and GTA homes since 2013. Call our licensed team anytime at (416) 383-7378 for a frozen pipe, burst pipe or winter plumbing check. FAQs 1. Do pipes freeze in Toronto winters? Yes. Most winters are cold enough to freeze pipes in GTA, with the highest risk in December-February. The City of Toronto asks residents to take precautions once forecast nighttime temperatures fall below -10°C. 2. At what temperature should I start protecting my pipes? Start when outdoor temperatures drop to approximately -4°C, and be cautious when outdoor temperatures fall below -10°C. Keep the areas around your indoor pipes above 8°C. 3. Will a frozen pipe thaw on its own? It can, but waiting is risky. As the ice begins to melt, the pressure between the tap and the blockage increases and can eventually cause the pipe to burst. Thaw it with gentle heat instead of leaving it. 4. How do I keep pipes from freezing during a power outage? Run a pencil-thin stream to keep the water flowing. Open cabinet doors, close off drafts and add extra insulation to exposed pipes. A backup heat source will help on the coldest nights. 5. What is the quickest way to thaw a frozen pipe? Turn on the tap and use a hair dryer or heating pad to thaw from the tap end of the frozen section. Problem spots are also cleared by wrapping heat tape around the pipe. Do not use a propane torch as it will ruin the pipe and cause fire hazards. 6. Can I pour hot water or salt down a drain to thaw it? If the drain freezes, pour a handful of salt into it and then pour in boiling water. The salt reduces the freezing temperature and melts ice. This trick works for drains, not the pressurized supply pipes in your walls. 7. How long does it take a frozen pipe to thaw? Most pipes thaw in 1-6 hours, depending on how cold it is and how firm the ice is. Maintain the heat until the water flow is restored. 8. Do frozen pipes always burst? No. Many thaw with no damage. Older pipes, exposed pipes and uninsulated pipes have the greatest risk of bursting and should be given the most attention.
