Frozen Pipes in Vaughan: When to Call an Emergency Plumber

The winter in Vaughan isn’t one to joke about. Once the temperature drops and remains so for a few days, your plumbing is going to feel that pressure, too. All it takes is just one bout of freezing temperatures, and suddenly, the water in your pipes will have expanded enough to freeze, either blocking off the flow of water or bursting open the pipes in the process. There are homeowners who suffer from a frozen tap, some whose main sewer lines get clogged by ice in Vaughan, and even those who find themselves dealing with a flood from above because of water seeping through the basement ceiling. This blog will tell you the reality of how frozen pipes occur and what you need to do to thaw them out safely.

How Do You Know Your Pipes Are Frozen

People often do not notice that their pipes have been frozen until there is some malfunction that happens.

• There is no flow or very low flow of water coming from one or several faucets.
• The actual pipe itself is extremely cold or even has frost on its exterior
• Some odd sounds coming from the pipe, such as gurgling or whistling when you try to use a faucet
• An odd smell from your drain pipes, which indicates a clog in the pipe
• Visible swelling on the pipe itself, which indicates that it is under great pressure

Why Vaughan Winters Are Tough on Home Plumbing

Vaughan lies in an area in Ontario, which has winters that alternate between extremely cold and thawing periods, and that is what plumbing does not like at all. Houses built around two decades ago had pipes installed in the basement crawl space, garage, and exterior walls, which were poorly insulated considering current standards. On top of that, a night of a polar vortex, when temperatures fell below the freezing point, made any poorly insulated pipe vulnerable. The newer houses in Woodbridge and Maple did better with their better-insulated walls, but no one is safe during severe weather conditions.

What To Do The Moment You Suspect a Frozen Pipe

Do not worry, but do not neglect the issue. Below, there is the process you need to go through.

1. Close the water valve. This will prevent water from entering the already cracked pipe.
2. Open the concerned faucet. Any slight leakage will provide relief of pressure in the pipe and will help it thaw faster under the influence of heat.
3. Use heat to thaw out the pipe. A blow dryer, a portable heater kept at a safe distance, or wet towels will do. Do not use any open flames.
4. Check the condition of other pipes near the frozen one. Most likely, they have already begun to freeze.
5. Water accumulating in an unusual place is always the first signal of a broken pipe.

Where To Find Your Main Shutoff Valve

In most cases, the main shut-off valve will be in the basement area of your house, normally around the point where the water pipes enter the house. However, it’s advisable for you to find out where it is located before the coming winter season begins. This should be done now, in two minutes, before it gets to the last minute.

Winter Plumbing Emergencies You Should Actually Know About

Bursting pipes are not the only problem associated with the cold weather that Vaughan residents encounter.

• Burst pipes due to ice formation, and the pipes require burst pipe repair in Vaughan homes as soon as possible to prevent water damage
• Complete absence of water supply, as the freeze could have occurred somewhere on the line between the street and the building
• Frozen or plugged sewage line, mostly due to ice formation in the old or improperly sloped pipe
• Problems with the water heater, as the cold water requires the unit to function more intensely
• Problems with the sump pump when the melting water freezes around the discharge pipe

DIY Thawing vs Calling a Professional

Here is a simple way to figure out which situation you’re actually in.

Signs You Need an Emergency Plumber Right Now

Some instances are just not conducive to delaying until the next day. Contact a plumber immediately if any of the below scenarios come up in your Vaughan property.

• Water actually coming out of walls, ceilings, or floors
• Visible cracks or bursts in pipes
• No water pressure at all in your house
• Back-up smell of sewage in your drains
• Water standing around your electrical box or receptacles
• Basement flooding

How Plumbers Thaw Frozen Pipes The Right Way

Professionals will not simply turn on a heater toward the wall hoping to see something. Typically, the first step involves identifying where the actual freeze point is located using either thermal imaging or by measuring the pressure at various points throughout the system. Once they have located it, they may use what is known as a pipe thawing machine that uses electricity to pass through the pipes, melting the ice from the inside out. This is far more efficient than blindly shooting heat into a pipe that may be freezing.

Preventing Frozen Pipes Before The Next Deep Freeze

A little preparation in the autumn will spare you big problems in January. Consider the following tips prior to the onset of freezing weather.

• Disconnect and drain any outdoor hoses and turn off the outdoor faucet by closing the valve from inside.
• Leave any outdoor faucets slightly open after turning off the valve to allow space for expansion of the remaining water.
• Wrap any exposed pipes in the basement, attic or garage using foam insulation pipe covers.
• Maintain a constant temperature on the thermostat throughout the night rather than lowering it drastically.
• Open the cabinets under any sink located near an outside wall to allow the warm air access to the pipes.
• Allow a slight trickle from one faucet during extremely cold periods to maintain flow of water.
• While travelling, arrange for someone to inspect your house daily and not turn off the heating completely.

What Does Frozen Pipe Repair Cost in Vaughan

Price truly varies from one situation to another depending on the exact location of the problem as well as the degree of damage. The price for thawing without a burst pipe will be lower, considering that there is nothing more than labour involved in such cases. 

In case a pipe is broken, then replacement will be required, as well as any repairs for any water damage caused by the flooding of a wall or floor before the problem was discovered. Houses with old pipes that are difficult to access, such as those hidden in a finished basement ceiling, are expensive due to the nature of the work required.

Final Thoughts

Frozen pipes are one of those problems that don’t appear to be significant until all of a sudden they are. Minor maintenance is just that, minor, but the moment that you notice the signs of a freeze or a burst, you need to take urgent action to deal with it. When you are experiencing frozen or burst pipes in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, call the experts at Vaughan Plumbing and Sewer to respond to your emergency anytime. Call (647) 547-2440 for a fast response today!