How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Milton's Winter
Milton winters regularly hit -25°C with wind chill. A single frozen pipe can release thousands of litres of water in minutes. Here's how to prevent it.
Why Milton homes freeze first at the same five spots
After fifteen-plus years of January 2 AM emergency calls in Milton, we see the same handful of locations freeze over and over again. The first is the exterior hose bib, especially older non-frost-free units that are easy to forget. The second is supply lines running through unheated garage walls — common in homes built between 1995 and 2010 in Dempsey, Beaty, and parts of Hawthorne Village. The third is the kitchen sink along an exterior wall, particularly in townhouses. The fourth is the laundry-room cold-water line, often in basements that don't quite reach 10°C in January. The fifth is rarely-used basement bathrooms in finished basements where a homeowner has closed the heating vents to save energy.
What to do before the first deep freeze
Disconnect every garden hose and shut off the indoor isolation valve to outdoor hose bibs, then drain the line by opening the outdoor tap. Pipe-insulate any supply lines running through unheated spaces with foam sleeves. Leave kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open along exterior walls during cold snaps so heated air can reach the pipes. Keep your home's thermostat at no less than 15°C even when away. If you're leaving for a winter trip, ask a neighbour to check daily — and consider shutting off the main and draining the system.
What to do if a pipe freezes
If you turn on a tap and only a trickle comes out on a cold morning, you may have a frozen but not yet burst pipe. Open the faucet (so water can flow when it thaws), locate the frozen section if visible, and apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or heat lamp — never an open flame. Start near the faucet and work back toward the frozen area. If you cannot locate the frozen section or you see any sign of swelling, call us immediately. A pipe that has frozen has likely cracked even if it isn't yet leaking; the leak appears the moment it thaws.
What to do if a pipe bursts
Shut off the main water valve to the house immediately — every adult in the household should know where it is. Open all taps to drain the system. Shut off the water heater. Move valuables and photograph damage for insurance. Then call us at (289) 514-9214 — our 24/7 line is staffed by real plumbers, not call centres.
FAQ
Are PEX pipes immune to freezing?
PEX is more freeze-tolerant than copper because it expands, but it can still burst at fittings or valves. Don't skip insulation.
How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze?
Sustained outdoor temperatures below -10°C with wind exposure can freeze poorly insulated pipes overnight.
Need a pro for this?
Call Stonegate Plumber Milton 24/7 at (289) 514-9214.