How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in a Brantford Winter

Winter in Brantford is hard on plumbing

Brantford and the rest of Brant County see long stretches of deep cold every winter, with overnight temperatures regularly falling well below freezing. When that cold reaches the plumbing in an unheated part of your home, the water inside a pipe can freeze — and a frozen pipe is one of the most common cold-weather causes of a burst pipe and the indoor flood that follows.

The good news is that frozen pipes are largely preventable. The steps below explain why pipes burst, where the risk is highest, and exactly what to do before and during a cold snap to protect your home.

Why pipes freeze and burst

It is a common misconception that pipes burst simply because the ice expands and splits the metal. What actually happens is a pressure problem. As water freezes it expands, and the growing plug of ice pushes water ahead of it down the pipe. When that water reaches a closed faucet, it has nowhere to go.

Pressure then builds in the section of pipe between the ice blockage and the closed faucet until the pipe finally ruptures — often at a point well away from the actual ice. The moment the pipe thaws, water pours out of that rupture.

The most vulnerable pipes are the ones running through unheated or poorly heated spaces: basements, crawlspaces, exterior walls, garages, and attics. Pipes against an exterior wall with little insulation are especially at risk during an extended cold snap.

How to prevent frozen pipes

• Insulate exposed pipes. Slip foam pipe sleeves over any pipe running through a basement, crawlspace, garage, or against an exterior wall. They are inexpensive and easy to fit.

• Keep the home heated. Maintain the thermostat at a minimum of about 13°C even when you are away or asleep, so interior pipes stay above freezing.

• Let a faucet drip during extreme cold. A slow trickle on faucets served by vulnerable pipes keeps water moving and relieves the pressure that causes a burst.

• Open cabinet doors. Open the doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks so warm household air can reach the pipes inside, especially on exterior walls.

• Seal drafts near pipes. Caulk or use weatherstripping to close gaps and cracks that let cold air blow directly onto pipes.

• Drain outdoor plumbing. Disconnect and drain garden hoses before winter, and shut off and drain exterior faucets so trapped water cannot freeze.

• Know your main shutoff. Locate the main water shutoff valve now and make sure everyone in the home knows where it is, so you can stop the flow fast if a pipe does fail.

What to do if a pipe freezes

If you turn on a tap and only a trickle comes out, you likely have a frozen pipe. Act before it bursts:

• Shut off the main valve. Turn off the main water supply so that if the pipe has already cracked, you limit the flooding when it thaws.

• Open the faucet. Open the tap served by the frozen pipe. This relieves pressure and lets water escape as the ice melts.

• Thaw gently. Apply gentle heat to the frozen section using a hair dryer, warm towels, or a portable space heater kept a safe distance away. Work from the faucet end back toward the blockage.

• Never use an open flame. Do not use a blowtorch or any open flame to thaw a pipe. It is a serious fire hazard and can damage the pipe.

If you cannot locate the frozen section, or the pipe is inside a wall, call a plumber before it ruptures.

If a pipe has already burst

If a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve immediately and then call us. A burst pipe can release a large volume of water fast, and the priority is extraction and drying before the water spreads and causes mold or structural damage. See our burst pipe repair page for our 24/7 emergency response, and if water has reached a lower level, our basement flooding service covers the cleanup.

Frequently Asked Questions

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