Frozen Pipe Repair in Kingston, ON
Kingston's winters are colder than most of southern Ontario, and the wind off the lake makes them feel colder still. That wind pushes cold air into walls, floors and crawl spaces, and pipes freeze where it reaches.
Request a plumberWhere pipes freeze here
Kitchen sinks on outside walls, basement lines beside stone foundations, pipes under additions and porches, and anywhere drafts get in around old windows or the sill plate. Houses on exposed lots near the water get it worst.
Thawing safely
Open the tap first. Warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or warm cloths, starting near the tap and working back. Never use a torch or open flame; old houses burn easily.
If it has burst
Close the main shut-off immediately, open a low tap to drain the lines and send a request. Split pipes often leak only once they thaw, so keep watching.
Fixing the cause
A plumber can reroute a line away from an outside wall, add insulation and seal drafts, or fit a self-regulating heat cable where allowed. Frost-free outdoor taps stop one of the most common winter leaks.
Empty houses
Student rentals sit empty over the winter break, and cottages and seasonal homes close for months. Empty houses are where freezes do the most damage. See frozen pipes in a windy winter.
Service lines
In extreme cold the buried line from the street can freeze too. If the whole house has no water, contact the water utility as well.
Frequently asked questions
- Does insurance cover burst pipes?
- Often, but many policies exclude damage if the home was left unheated or unchecked. Read the vacancy rules before you travel.
- Will the pipe burst when it thaws?
- The damage is done by the ice; it shows up as a leak when water flows again. Thaw slowly and watch.
Other plumbing services
Need frozen pipe repair in Kingston?
Send a request and a plumber will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.
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