Outside & service lines
Frozen Pipe Thawing in Burlington
When a tap goes dry on a bitter morning, the pipe feeding it has probably frozen. Thawing it slowly and safely matters as much as getting water flowing again.
- Frost-free hose bibs
- Buried lines traced first
- Backflow devices tested
- Insulated where it freezes
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Signs it is time for frozen pipe thawing
Ice in a line tends to make itself known after several nights well below minus fifteen. One faucet trickles or stops, the toilet will not refill, or frost appears on a pipe in an unheated crawl space. Often only one fixture is affected, the one fed by a pipe in an outside wall or over a garage. When the whole house has gone dry, the service line may be frozen near where it enters the foundation.
Should a pipe already be leaking, shut the main valve first and read our steps on what to do after a burst pipe.
What's included
- Frost-free sillcocks and shut-off valves
- Excavation for buried lines
- Backflow test kit
- Heat gun and pipe insulation
Our method on site
Finding the frozen section comes first. We trace the line from the dry fixture back toward the main, feeling for the cold spot and checking temperature with a thermal reader. Then we warm it gradually with controlled heat, never an open flame, while a downstream tap stays open so melting water can move. As flow returns, we check the whole run for splits, because ice expands and can open a crack that only leaks once it thaws.
- Electric heat or warm air for exposed pipe.
- Opening a small section of drywall where the freeze sits inside a wall.
- Repairing any split found, as on our burst pipe repair page.
Tell-tale signs
- A hose bib that drips or split over winter
- Low pressure at every tap in the house
- Wet ground over the water service in the yard
- A backflow test notice from the municipality
What affects the scope
Access shapes the job more than anything. A frozen pipe beside the furnace takes minutes; one inside an exterior wall behind cabinets takes longer and may need a small opening. Plastic PEX tolerates freezing better than copper, though fittings can still separate. A frozen service line underground is a separate problem and sometimes involves the Region.
Job at a glance
- Work
- Frozen Pipe Thawing
- Trade
- Outside & service lines
- Where
- Burlington and nearby
- Book
- (365) 464-5184
Burlington homes and this job
The lake moderates south Burlington a little, but homes up the Escarpment in Kilbride and Lowville see colder nights and stronger winds. Across the city, the usual culprits are kitchen sinks on outside walls, bathroom lines over unheated garages in split-levels, and hose bibs left connected through the winter. Our winterizing guide explains how to close those off each fall.
Questions to ask
- Why did this particular pipe freeze when others did not?
- Can it be rerouted to an inside wall or insulated better?
- Did the freeze crack anything that could leak later?
- Would a frost-free outdoor faucet prevent a repeat?
Before the next cold spell, open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls at night, and keep the garage door closed. Letting a thin stream run from the coldest tap during the worst nights also helps.
How the visit runs
- 1
Shut off and drain the line in question.
- 2
Open the wall or ground to reach the pipe.
- 3
Replace or repair with the right fitting for buried or exterior use.
- 4
Restore water, test and insulate where needed.
Questions we hear
Should I leave a tap dripping?
On the coldest nights, a thin steady stream from the fixture most at risk keeps water moving and can prevent a freeze. It is a stopgap, not a fix.
Can a frozen pipe thaw on its own?
It may once the weather warms, but it can split while frozen and start leaking as it thaws. Keep the main valve location in mind.
Will thawing damage my walls?
Usually not. If the frozen section sits inside a finished wall, we may open a small, neat patch to reach it.