How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Toronto (and What to Do If They Freeze)

When Toronto gets a deep cold snap, the City gets a wave of "no water" calls, and most of them come from frozen pipes on private property. A frozen pipe can burst, and a burst pipe can mean days without water and serious water damage. Most of it is preventable with 20 minutes of prep.

Where pipes freeze

The likely spots are pipes along exterior walls and where the water service pipe enters through the foundation, usually in the basement near the water meter. Unheated crawl spaces, garages and the cupboards under sinks on outside walls are next.

Before the deep freeze

• Find your main water shut-off valve and make sure it turns. If a pipe bursts, this is the first thing you'll need.
• Keep areas with pipes above 8°C, especially near the water meter. Don't turn the heat right down in a basement that has pipes.
• Shut off and drain outdoor taps from the inside valve, then open the outside tap so trapped water can drain.
• Seal drafts around windows, doors, vents and where pipes and wiring come through the walls. Renting? Report drafts to your landlord.
• Insulate exposed pipes near exterior walls with foam pipe sleeves.
• Going away? Turn off the water at the main valve and open the taps to drain the lines.
• Pipes that freeze every year? Ask a plumber about insulating or rerouting them.

If your pipes freeze

1. Open a cold-water tap in the basement, ideally the laundry tap, so water can flow as the ice melts.
2. Warm the pipe gently: warm the air around it with a space heater kept at a safe distance, use a hair dryer, or wrap it in warm towels. Thawing can take one to six hours.
3. Never use a torch or open flame. It's a fire hazard and can damage the pipe.
4. If you see a leak, shut off the water at the main valve and call a licensed plumber.
5. Still no water? In Toronto, call 311 so the City can check its side of the connection.