Frozen Pipe Prevention: How to Keep Your Plumbing Alive This Winter

Winter in Edmonton isn’t for the faint of heart. Between sub-zero temperatures, gusting winds, and heavy snowfall, your plumbing system faces an annual survival test and if you’re not prepared, the results can be disastrous. A frozen pipe isn’t just inconvenient; it can lead to bursts, floods, mold, and thousands of dollars in damage.

At Jurassic Mechanical Plumbing & Heating Ltd., we know the freeze-thaw cycle all too well. Our expert team, led by seasoned professionals Mike Deters and Shawn Reid, has rescued countless homeowners from frozen pipe disasters, many of which could have been prevented with a little prep. In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Why pipes freeze (and burst)

• What areas of your home are most at risk

• How to winter-proof your plumbing system

• Emergency tips if your pipes do freeze

• Why it pays to call in Jurassic Mechanical before the deep freeze hits

Let’s keep your plumbing alive this winter and save you from the costly mess of a burst pipe.

Why Do Pipes Freeze?

Pipes freeze when water inside them drops to 0°C (32°F), turning into solid ice. Water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on the inside of your pipes, pressure that often becomes too much to handle. The result? Cracked, ruptured, or fully burst pipes.

And here’s the kicker: it’s not always the ice that causes the worst damage. Often, it’s when the ice thaws and water suddenly flows through a cracked pipe, flooding basements, ceilings, and walls.

What Pipes Are Most at Risk?

Not all plumbing is equally vulnerable to freezing. The pipes most at risk include:

• Outdoor hose bibs and taps

• Pipes in unheated basements or crawl spaces

• Pipes in exterior walls

• Plumbing under sinks along exterior walls

• Garage plumbing lines

• Cabinet plumbing with poor airflow

If these aren’t properly insulated or winterized, they’re potential time bombs ticking under your floorboards.

How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing

Here’s the good news: frozen pipes are almost always preventable. Here are our Jurassic-approved strategies to protect your plumbing this winter:

✅ 1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Use pipe insulation sleeves or foam tubes to protect vulnerable pipes in your basement, garage, or under sinks. It’s a simple fix that provides a huge payoff.

Pro Tip: Insulate both hot and cold water lines, even hot pipes can freeze if water isn’t running.

✅ 2. Seal Air Leaks

Cold drafts can seep into your home through gaps in foundation walls, window frames, or around plumbing openings. Seal these leaks with caulk or spray foam to keep cold air out.

✅ 3. Let Faucets Drip (Slightly!)

Allowing a slow drip during extreme cold keeps water moving, reducing the risk of freezing. Even a pencil-thin stream of water can make a big difference in pressure buildup.

✅ 4. Open Cabinet Doors

If your sink pipes are against an exterior wall, open the cabinet doors to allow warm air from your home to circulate around them, especially overnight.

✅ 5. Disconnect Hoses & Shut Outdoor Taps

Always disconnect garden hoses and drain any water left inside. Shut off and drain exterior taps from the inside shut-off valve, if possible.

✅ 6. Maintain Your Furnace

A malfunctioning furnace puts your entire home and plumbing system at risk. Regular maintenance ensures your heat stays consistent and reliable.

✅ 7. Install a Heat Cable

For high-risk areas, consider installing an electric heat cable or heat tape. These plug-in devices wrap around pipes and automatically warm them when temperatures drop.

Already Frozen? Here’s What to Do

If you turn on a tap and only a trickle comes out, chances are your pipe is frozen.

First, don’t panic but act fast:

• Turn off the main water valve to prevent flooding if the pipe bursts.

• Locate the frozen pipe feel for cold spots along walls, floors, or ceilings.

• Warm the area using a hairdryer, heating pad, or space heater (never use an open flame!).

• Call Jurassic Mechanical for safe, professional thawing and inspection.

Even if you manage to thaw the pipe yourself, it may have sustained stress fractures that can burst later. A post-thaw inspection is critical to ensure you’re not sitting on a time bomb.

Jurassic Mechanical to the Rescue

At Jurassic Mechanical Plumbing & Heating Ltd., we specialize in cold-climate plumbing solutions designed to handle Edmonton’s harshest winters. We’re not just here to respond when disaster strikes, we’re here to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Why homeowners trust us:

• Decades of experience: Mike and Shawn have over 30 years combined in the trade.

• Winterized solutions: We know how to build plumbing systems that survive Alberta winters.

• Full-service plumbing: From pipe insulation and furnace tune-ups to leak detection and emergency service.

• Fast response times: We don’t believe in making you wait in the cold.

• Honest, upfront pricing: No surprises, just solutions.

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Whether it’s a new install, a renovation, or a seasonal prep call, we treat every home as if it were our own.

Real Talk: The Cost of a Frozen Pipe

A burst pipe can dump hundreds of litres of water into your home in minutes. On average:

• Frozen pipe repair: $400–$900

• Water damage restoration: $2,000–$10,000+

• Mold remediation: $500–$6,000

Wouldn’t you rather spend a fraction of that on prevention?

Winter-Proof Your Plumbing Today

Don’t let this winter turn your cozy home into an indoor ice rink. The best time to protect your pipes is before the first cold snap hits.

Contact Jurassic Mechanical Plumbing & Heating Ltd. today to schedule your winter inspection or pipe prep:

📞 Call: 587-453-1019

📧 Email: info@jurassicmechanical.com

🌐 Visit: www.jurassicmechanical.com

Frozen pipes can wreak havoc, but they don’t have to.Let Jurassic Mechanical keep your home warm, dry, and damage-free all winter long.Because when the cold bites, we fight back harder.