Ontario winter · Frozen & burst pipes
Frozen pipes? Thaw them safely before they burst
How to tell a pipe is frozen, how to thaw it without damage, and exactly what to do in the first minutes if it has already burst.
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Water is spraying right now?
Do this first
- Shut the main water valve
- Cut power to wet areas if safe
- Call a restoration team
Freeze risk check
Will your pipes freeze tonight?
Set tonight's low and where your most exposed pipe runs. The check uses the −7 °C (20 °F) threshold from field tests on unprotected pipes.
Your risk tonight
High
A guide, not a forecast. Wind, insulation and how long the cold lasts all change the real risk.
Is it frozen?
6 signs of a frozen pipe
Catch it at this stage and it's a hair dryer job. Miss it and it's a burst pipe.
No water, or just a trickle
Only one tap affected usually means that line is frozen, not the whole house.
Frost on the pipe
Visible frost or ice on exposed pipes in the basement, crawlspace or garage.
Bulging or cracked pipe
Ice expands. A bulge or hairline crack means it may burst when it thaws.
Strange smells from drains
A blocked line can push sewer odours back up through the nearest drain.
Gurgling or banging
Air and ice moving in the line when you open a tap.
Damp spots on walls or ceilings
A pipe may already have split inside the wall. Treat this as a leak.
Damp patch on a wall or ceiling? The pipe may already be split inside.
Get a leak checked today →Step by step
How to thaw a frozen pipe safely
Gentle heat, tap open, start near the tap. Most frozen lines clear in under an hour.
Open the tap
Open the faucet the frozen pipe feeds, both hot and cold. Running water helps melt the ice and shows when it is clear.
Find the frozen section
Start near the tap and work back toward the main line. Exterior walls, unheated garages and crawlspaces are the usual spots.
Apply gentle heat
Use a hair dryer, a heating pad, warm towels or a space heater kept a safe distance away. Warm the pipe, not the wall.
Keep heating until full pressure returns
Then check every other tap in the house. One frozen line often means another.
Watch for leaks as it thaws
A crack hidden by ice only leaks once water flows again. Keep the main valve location in mind.
Never do this
- Never use a torch, propane heater or any open flame.
- Don't leave a space heater running unattended or near anything that can burn.
- Don't use electrical appliances while standing in water.
- Don't pour boiling water on a pipe; plastic pipes and fittings can crack.
It already burst
The first 5 steps after a pipe bursts
In this order. The faster water stops and drying starts, the less has to be torn out.
Shut off the main water valve
Usually in the basement where the water line enters, near the front wall. Every minute counts.
Cut power to wet areas, only if safe
Use the breaker panel only from a dry spot. Otherwise call your utility.
Open taps to drain the line
Open the lowest tap in the house to empty the remaining water from the pipes.
Photograph everything
Wide shots and close-ups before anything is moved. Your insurer will ask for them.
Call a restoration team now
Water soaks into drywall, insulation and subfloors within hours. Extraction and drying should start the same day.
Get a crew on the way →
Before the deep freeze
Winter prevention checklist
Tick them off. Most take minutes and cost less than a single service call.
Found an old leak or water stain while checking? Get it dried before mold starts.
Check for mold & moisture →Insurance
Is a burst pipe covered?
Usually yes, with conditions. What Canadian insurers and the Insurance Bureau of Canada point out:
Heated home: usually covered
Sudden water damage from frozen pipes in a heated part of the home is normally covered, if you took reasonable steps to keep the heat on.
Vacant home: often excluded
Most policies exclude frozen-pipe damage if the home is vacant. Away in winter? Many require someone to check the home daily or the water to be shut off and drained.
The furnace itself: not covered
If a furnace fails and pipes freeze, the water damage is usually covered, but the furnace repair is not.
Sources: Insurance Business Canada · Insurance-Canada.ca. Your policy wording decides.
Eco Star documents the damage the way adjusters need it and can bill your insurer directly.
Start the claim with a pro →Questions
Frozen pipe FAQ
Short answers for Ontario homeowners.
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Unprotected pipes in unheated spaces are at real risk once it drops to about −7 °C (20 °F) outside, a threshold from University of Illinois field tests. Pipes on exterior walls and in garages can freeze sooner in wind or when the cold lasts for days.
How long does it take to thaw a frozen pipe?
Usually 30 minutes to a few hours with gentle heat. If you can't find the frozen section or can't reach it, call a plumber rather than opening walls.
Will a frozen pipe always burst?
No, but the risk is high. Ice builds pressure between the blockage and the closed tap. That's why you open the tap before you start thawing.
Does home insurance cover burst pipes in Ontario?
Standard policies usually cover sudden water damage from frozen pipes in a heated part of the home, if you took reasonable steps to keep the heat on. Most policies exclude it if the home was vacant or unheated. Check your policy wording.
What should I do if I'm away for winter?
Many Ontario policies require someone to check the home daily during the heating season if you're away more than a few days, or the water to be shut off and the pipes drained. Read your policy before you leave.
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