If you’ve spent even one winter in Ontario, you already know the cold here doesn’t play around. It seeps into everything, your bones, your car battery, and even your plumbing. Many homeowners are unaware of the amount of damage winter can cause underground. One of the biggest culprits? That freeze-thaw cycle all year round.

In essence, water expands when it is frozen. Then when it melts it shrinks. Over and over again. It may not be a great thing to hear, but your pipes will know it. The pressure of the growing ice may cause small cracks on the old pipes and when the thaw occurs, water begins to leak through the cracks. It does not always make itself obvious, but with time it will undermine your sewer lines and can lead to a great number of unseen issues.

So, yes, before winter, every homeowner should add the task of insulating pipes against freezing to his or her list.

Why Ontario Homes Are Especially Vulnerable

Ontario’s weather is wild. It is minus twenty one day, then the next day it is over zero and the ground continues to move due to it. This flow strains your subterranean sewer pipes. Pipes made of clay or cast-iron can crack readily, and even new PVC ones may move out of position as long as the soil continues to swell and shrink. 

The result? Misaligned joints, minor leakages and at last complete blockages or collapses of the pipes.This is why keeping pipes from freezing is such a vital aspect of home maintenance here. It’s not just about the exposed plumbing in your house, it’s about protecting your underground sewer lines that keep things moving along.

Signs of Freeze-Thaw Damage You Shouldn’t Ignore

You might not see a crack underground, but your home gives you clues. Watch out for:

• Unusual gurgling sounds from toilets or drains
  
  

• Slow draining water in multiple fixtures
  
  

• Sewage smell coming from your basement or yard
  
  

• Wet spots or sinkholes near where your sewer line runs
  
  

If you notice any of these, it’s worth calling professionals from Ontario Pipe Lining for drain repair in Toronto. Small repairs made early are far cheaper and less invasive than waiting until the line fails completely.

A sewer camera inspection is frankly speaking one of the best methods of ascertaining what is going on down there. It is fast, does not require any digging and can assist you to identify cracks or leaks before they become costly.

Steps for Protecting Pipes from Freezing

Now, we should speak about prevention, as that is much easier than repair. The following are some of the simple steps that you can take to prevent freezing of pipes:

• Cover bare pipes with foam or insulation sleeves, particularly those in crawl spaces or garages.
• Close small holes and cracks in walls through which cold air may enter.
• Maintain the same temperature in your home even when you are not there.
• During extreme cold snaps, letting a slow drip run through faucets can relieve pressure and help protect pipes from freezing.

When It’s Too Late for Prevention

But what if it’s too late? One morning you get up, turn on the tap and nothing comes out. You see, my water pipes are frozen.

First rule: don’t panic. 

Second rule: do not begin to blast the pipe with heat. Turn off the main water valve, take a hair dryer or heating pad and begin to warm the frozen part very slowly. Patience is necessary, it may take time. Whatever you do, do not use an open flame (yes, people do that, too).

When people inquire about how to unfreeze pipes, we always tell them – in case it is deep in your system or underground, then just call a professional. It is not worth the danger of making it worse.

And it is not only your indoor pipes that freeze sometimes when it is really deep. The primary sewerage line may also freeze. This is the moment when specialists are needed to repair sewers in Toronto. We, at Ontario Pipe Lining, have special equipment to thaw and fix those lines safely without ripping up your lawn.

There are more intelligent methods of repairing it in case the damage has already occurred. Trenchless repairs such as cured-in-place pipe lining can essentially re-create your old pipe, inside and out. It closes cracks, reinforces the line and leaves you with a new inside surface that cold or roots will never penetrate.

It is not the type of repair you would prefer to have, but when you do, at least it does not mean making your yard a construction site.

Bottom Line

Ontario winters are here to stay at the end of the day. Preparation is the only thing you can do. Spend an hour in advance of the cold coming to wander around, test your pipes, close drafts, perhaps arrange a brief inspection. Every bit helps.

Since it is not only about being comfortable but also about preventing freezing of pipes, it is necessary to avoid the situation when you have to make that 3 a.m. panic call to the plumber because your basement smelled like something had crawled up the drain and has never come out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are frozen pipes a source of sewage backup?

Yeah, absolutely. When a pipe solidifies, the pressure accumulates and may cause the sewage to go back in your house.

What do you do to thaw a frozen sewer line?

It can be attempted to warm the area in case it is above the ground, however, underground lines often require a plumber with the appropriate equipment.

Will hot water down the drain unfreeze the pipes?

It may assist a bit in case the freeze is not deep, but it may also lead to an increase in the pressure and cracks in the pipe if they are already strained.

Is damage to frozen pipes covered by my insurance?

Most will do so when it happens abruptly but not when the pipes were not well maintained or insulated. It is always a good idea to check your policy.

What do you do to tell whether your sewer line is frozen?

When several drains go dead simultaneously or you can smell sewage, it is a big indicator.

Can pipes unfreeze without bursting?

Sometimes, yes, if you’re lucky and the pressure hasn’t built up. But waiting it out is risky.

What do plumbers use to unfreeze pipes?

They use electric pipe thawers, steamers, or heat cables — all controlled and safe compared to DIY heat sources.

What not to do when thawing frozen pipes?

Don’t use fire, don’t bang the pipes, and don’t ignore the main water shutoff.

At what temperature should you let water run to keep pipes from freezing?

Once it drops below around -5°C, it’s smart to let the faucet drip just a little overnight.