Every winter, the same calls come in. A pipe froze overnight, and by morning it’s either not producing water at all, or worse, it’s already burst somewhere behind a wall. The frustrating part is that most of these situations were preventable with about an hour of prep work done back in the fall.
If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, here’s what actually matters, and why.
Why Toronto Homes Are Especially Vulnerable
It’s Not Just About How Cold It Gets
A lot of people assume frozen pipes are purely a function of temperature, but the bigger factor is usually exposure. Pipes running through uninsulated spaces, exterior walls, crawl spaces, or unheated basements are at risk even in a relatively mild cold snap, simply because they’re not protected from the temperature swing.
Older Housing Stock Plays a Role Too
Many homes across the GTA were built decades ago, before current insulation standards existed. Pipes that were perfectly fine when installed may now be running through spaces that lose heat far faster than a newer build would.
Where Pipes Are Most Likely to Freeze
- Pipes along exterior walls, particularly on the north side of the house
- Unheated basements, garages, and crawl spaces
- Under kitchen or bathroom cabinets where cold air can seep in around plumbing
- Outdoor hose bibs and the pipes feeding them
- Attic spaces where plumbing sometimes runs unexpectedly
Prevention Steps That Actually Make a Difference
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Foam pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive and take minutes to install on any exposed piping you can reach. For pipes in particularly vulnerable spots, heat tape offers an extra layer of protection, though it should be installed according to manufacturer instructions.
Seal Gaps and Drafts
Cold air finding its way into a wall cavity or crawl space is often what turns a mildly cold night into a frozen pipe. Check for gaps around where pipes enter your home from outside and seal them with caulk or expanding foam.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
A garden hose left connected over winter can trap water in the line back toward your house, which increases the risk of that section freezing. Disconnect hoses, drain them fully, and if you have a shut-off valve for outdoor taps, use it before the first hard frost.
Keep a Consistent Indoor Temperature
It might be tempting to turn the heat down while you’re away, but letting a home get too cold, even for a weekend trip, raises the risk significantly. Most plumbers recommend keeping the thermostat no lower than 12 to 15 degrees Celsius, even when nobody’s home.
Open Cabinet Doors During Cold Snaps
On especially cold nights, opening the cabinet doors under sinks that back onto exterior walls lets warmer household air circulate around the pipes. It’s a small habit that costs nothing and genuinely helps.
Let Faucets Drip on the Coldest Nights
A slow, steady drip keeps water moving through the pipe, and moving water is far less likely to freeze than water sitting still. This is worth doing specifically on nights with extreme cold warnings, not as a nightly habit all winter.
How to Tell If a Pipe Has Already Frozen
1. No water, or only a trickle, comes out of a specific faucet
2. Frost is visible on an exposed section of pipe
3. A strange smell comes from a drain when you run the tap, sometimes a sign of a blockage caused by ice
If you suspect a pipe is frozen but hasn’t burst yet, don’t try to thaw it aggressively with an open flame. Contact an emergency plumber who can thaw it safely without damaging the pipe.
What to Do If a Pipe Has Already Burst
Shut the Water Off Immediately
Locate your main shut-off valve and turn it off before doing anything else. This limits how much water escapes while help is on the way.
Call for Emergency Water Extraction Right Away
Once the water source is stopped, the priority shifts to preventing secondary damage. A burst pipe can quickly turn into a flooded basement situation if it’s not addressed fast, and standing water left even overnight significantly raises the risk of mold.
A Few Extra Precautions Worth Considering
If You’re Traveling for an Extended Period
- Ask a neighbour or family member to check on the house periodically
- Consider a smart water sensor that alerts your phone if it detects leaking or freezing conditions
- Never turn the heat off entirely, even for a trip lasting several weeks
If Your Home Has Had Frozen Pipes Before
A repeat freeze in the same spot usually means there’s an underlying insulation or draft issue that a quick fix hasn’t fully solved. It’s worth having a technician take a closer look at that specific section rather than dealing with the same emergency every winter. Learn more about how we handle frozen and burst pipes across the GTA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold does it need to get for pipes to freeze?
Pipes can start freezing once temperatures drop to around minus 6 Celsius, especially in exposed or poorly insulated areas, though the exact threshold depends heavily on exposure and how long the cold lasts.
Is it true that letting a faucet drip wastes a lot of water?
A slow drip uses relatively little water compared to the cost of repairing a burst pipe, and it’s typically only recommended during the coldest nights rather than continuously all winter.
Can I thaw a frozen pipe myself?
Gentle methods like a hair dryer on low, held at a safe distance, can sometimes work for easily accessible pipes. Anything involving an open flame or high heat risks damaging the pipe or starting a fire, so it’s best left to a professional.
Will my insurance cover damage from a frozen pipe that burst?
In most cases, sudden damage from a burst pipe is covered, though policies sometimes have specific requirements around maintaining adequate heat in the home while away. Check your policy details or ask your provider directly.
How long does it take for a pipe to actually freeze solid?
It varies by exposure and pipe location, but a pipe in a vulnerable, uninsulated spot can freeze within just a few hours during a sustained cold snap.