Frozen or burst pipe: what to do first

Shut off the main water valve first

Shutting off the main is the first move with any burst pipe, because it stops the damage from getting worse while you wait for us. Most homes have the main shut-off near the water meter, in the basement, a utility room or a crawlspace access. If you don't know where yours is, find it now, before you need it in a hurry.

Once the main is off, open a tap in the house (ideally the lowest one) to relieve pressure in the lines and drain what's left. If water is reaching outlets, switches or anything electrical, stay clear of that area and avoid using power nearby.

If the pipe is frozen but has not burst

A pipe that's frozen but hasn't split yet still needs attention: no water at a tap, just a trickle or suddenly low water pressure, with the weather cold enough to freeze pipe, are the signs. Opening the tap slightly keeps water moving and relieves pressure as the pipe thaws. Gentle heat (a hair dryer or heat tape, never an open flame) on an exposed section can help. If it doesn't clear, or you can't reach the frozen section, that's when to call us.

Why pipes freeze, and how to stop it happening again

Pipes in outside walls, crawlspaces, garages and unheated rooms are the ones most likely to freeze, especially in a cold snap. If this keeps happening in the same spot, the fix is usually insulation or rerouting, not just thawing it again next winter.

One common cause in the Okanagan is simple to prevent: a garden hose left attached to an outdoor tap over winter traps water in the line behind it, and that's often what splits first in a cold snap. Disconnect hoses before the first freeze, drain them, and store them for the season.