Signs of a frozen or burst pipe
- No water from one tap on a very cold morning while others work
- Frost visible on a pipe in the basement or crawlspace
- A bulge or split along a section of copper
- Water spraying or dripping once temperatures rise
- Wet drywall on an outside wall near a kitchen or bathroom
Why Scarborough pipes freeze
Older homes along the Bluffs and in Cliffside and Birch Cliff face open winds off Lake Ontario. The riskiest runs are those inside outer walls, through unheated garages, and beneath kitchen sinks set against the cold side of the house. Additions and sunrooms built over crawlspaces also catch the cold. In newer homes, outdoor taps without frost-free bodies are the usual weak point.
First move: With a split pipe, close the main valve at once. Kill power to drenched rooms only when the panel is dry underfoot.
How we handle it
- We locate the frozen or damaged section and confirm the main is off.
- Frozen lines that are intact are thawed gently, never with an open flame.
- Split sections are cut out and replaced with new pipe and fittings.
- The system is refilled and checked for further splits once pressure is back.
- We point out what let the cold in, for instance an unsealed rim joist or bare spot in the insulation.
What affects the cost
A single split under an accessible basement ceiling is straightforward. Several splits inside a finished wall or ceiling take more time. Night and weekend calls during cold snaps are busier.
When to call right away
Immediately, if water is spraying or the ceiling is wet. Also call if a line is frozen and you cannot thaw it safely. Our frozen pipes guide covers prevention for next winter.