How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Milton Winters

The freeze-thaw cycle is the real villain. A pipe that freezes solid and then thaws — sometimes multiple times in a single week — is under enormous stress. Water expands when it freezes, and that expansion puts hundreds of pounds of pressure on the pipe walls. Copper pipes and older galvanized steel pipes are most vulnerable, but PEX (the flexible plastic pipe common in newer Milton homes) can handle it better.

The months to watch: December through March. When the forecast drops to -15°C or colder, that's when I start fielding emergency calls. At those temperatures, an uninsulated pipe on an exterior wall can freeze in under six hours.

Which Pipes Are Highest Risk

Not all pipes are equal. Focus your attention here:

• Pipes running along exterior walls (especially in older homes with minimal insulation)
• Pipes in unheated garages or attached garages
• Pipes in crawl spaces
• Under-sink pipes on exterior walls (common in kitchens)
• Hose bibs (outdoor faucets)
• Any pipe in a room where the heat is off

If your home was built before the 1990s, assume your pipe insulation isn't doing much. Get under the sinks and look — you'll know quickly.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Foam pipe insulation sleeves are available at any hardware store in Milton or Burlington and cost almost nothing. Measure the diameter of your pipes, buy the matching sleeve, and slide it on. For pipes in extremely cold spots (like an exterior crawl space), use heat tape rated for residential use instead. Install it before November and you're protected all season.

Let Taps Drip on Cold Nights

When temperatures drop below -15°C, let a cold-water tap drip overnight on any faucet that runs through an exterior wall. Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. You don't need a strong flow — a slow, steady drip is enough. Yes, it wastes a small amount of water, but it's nothing compared to the cost of a burst pipe repair.

Open Cabinet Doors Under Sinks

If your kitchen or bathroom sink sits against an exterior wall, open the cabinet doors overnight when it's very cold. This lets the warm air from your home circulate around the pipes. Simple and free.

Keep Your Heat On When Away

I know it's tempting to turn the heat right down when you leave for the holidays. Don't. Set your thermostat to at least 15°C — even if you're away for two weeks. The cost of keeping the house at 15°C is far less than the cost of a burst pipe and the water damage that follows. If you're going to be away for more than a few days in winter, also consider asking a neighbour to check in.

Disconnect and Drain Garden Hoses Before First Frost

Garden hoses left connected trap water in the hose bib (the outdoor faucet). When that water freezes, it can push back into the pipe and damage the valve inside the wall. Disconnect all hoses before the first hard frost — usually early November in Halton Region. If you have frost-free hose bibs, they still need the hose disconnected to drain properly.

Consider Heat Tape for Vulnerable Pipes

If you have a pipe that has frozen before, or one in an unheated space you can't easily insulate, heat tape is worth the investment. It's a thin electrical cable that wraps around the pipe and keeps it just above freezing. Look for self-regulating heat tape, which adjusts its output based on the ambient temperature and is safer for long-term use. Have it installed before winter — it's not a fun project in -10°C weather.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

First: don't panic, and do not use an open flame or torch. I've seen homeowners cause house fires trying to thaw pipes with a blowtorch. Not worth it.

What you can safely do:

• Use a hair dryer on low heat, working from the faucet end back toward the frozen section
• Wrap the pipe with warm (not hot) towels and pour warm water over them
• Turn the faucet on so water can escape as it thaws — pressure needs somewhere to go

What to watch for: if you can't find the frozen section, or if the pipe has already burst (you'll hear it when water starts running again), shut off the main water supply immediately and call us.

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Burst pipe emergencies, winterization questions, or just want someone to check your pipes before the cold season - give FDR Plumbing a call at 647-226-2649. Free estimates, honest advice.