When temperatures drop well below freezing, water lines in the wrong places can freeze solid. In Markham we see it most often in pipes running along exterior walls, in garages under bonus rooms, in bump-out kitchens with little insulation underneath and in older homes in Thornhill and Unionville where renovations moved plumbing into colder spaces. Ice expands, pressure builds between the blockage and the closed tap, and the pipe splits.
The tricky part is that a split pipe often doesn't leak until it thaws. That's why a tap that stops working on a frigid morning deserves attention before the afternoon warms up. We thaw lines safely, find and repair splits and help you prevent a repeat next winter.
Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair Around Markham
Houses with a room built over the garage are a common design in Markham subdivisions like Wismer and Greensborough, and they often have plumbing running through that floor for an upstairs bathroom or laundry. If the garage door is left open on a cold day, or the insulation under that floor has settled over the years, those lines are the first to freeze. Kitchens with a bump-out or a cantilevered breakfast nook have the same weak spot.
In older homes near Main Street Unionville and in Markham Village, additions and past renovations sometimes moved pipes into exterior walls that were never meant to hold them. If you've had a freeze once, it's worth asking us to look at the route of that line, because the same cold snap next year will usually find it again.
Signs You Need Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
Frozen and burst pipes give clues. Watch for these, especially during a cold snap:
- A tap that suddenly stops or trickles. If one fixture loses flow while others work, the line feeding it has likely frozen.
- Frost on exposed pipe. Visible frost on pipes in a garage, crawl space or unfinished basement corner is a warning.
- Bulging or split pipe. Copper can swell visibly before it tears. PEX can crack at fittings.
- Water stains appearing after a thaw. New marks on ceilings or walls near exterior walls often trace back to a split line.
- A frozen outdoor tap line. Hose bibs left connected or not shut off inside are a common source of basement leaks in spring.
How We Do It
- 1
Shut the water off
If a burst is suspected, we'll help you close the main so nothing floods when the ice melts.
- 2
Locate the frozen section
We check which fixtures are affected and trace the line to find where it's exposed to cold.
- 3
Thaw safely
We use controlled heat, never an open flame, to thaw the line gradually from the open tap back toward the frozen section.
- 4
Pressure-check for splits
Once water is flowing, we check the line for cracks and leaks before closing anything up.
- 5
Repair or reroute
Damaged sections are cut out and replaced. Where a pipe keeps freezing, we'll suggest rerouting it to a warmer path.
- 6
Prevent next time
We add insulation where it helps and show you which outdoor taps to shut off each fall.
Why Choose Markham Plumbing
A frozen pipe is a problem you need solved today, and done properly so it doesn't happen again next January. We don't just thaw the line and leave. We look at why it froze and give you practical options, from insulation to moving the pipe inside the heated envelope of the house.
- Safe thawing methods
- Leak checks before we leave
- Prevention advice
- 24/7 availability in cold snaps
Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair FAQs
Can I thaw a frozen pipe myself?
You can open the affected tap and gently warm the area with a hair dryer or space heater at a safe distance. Never use a torch or open flame. If you can't find the frozen section or suspect it has split, shut off the main and call us.
Why does the same pipe freeze every winter?
It usually runs through an uninsulated or drafty space such as an exterior wall, garage ceiling or cantilevered floor. Insulating or rerouting that section is the permanent fix.
How do I winterize my outdoor taps?
Disconnect hoses, close the inside shut-off valve for each outdoor tap and open the outdoor tap to drain the line. Frost-free hose bibs are a good upgrade if you keep forgetting.
Will my insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many home policies cover sudden water damage, but conditions vary. Take photos and contact your insurer. We can provide details of the repair for your claim.