Pipes burst because water expands as it freezes. That extra pressure has nowhere to go, so the pipe splits. In a Calgary cold snap, this happens fast. A small crack can flood a basement in minutes. Here is why pipes fail and how to stop it.
Why Frozen Pipes Burst
Water acts in an odd way. Most things shrink in the cold. Water does the opposite. It swells by about 9 percent as it turns to ice. A frozen pipe traps that growing ice inside. Pressure builds between the ice and a closed tap. It keeps rising until the pipe wall gives way. The split can be tiny at first. But once the ice melts, water pours out at full force. Many bursts flood a home during the thaw, not the freeze. This is basic science, and it catches a lot of homeowners off guard.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk
Cold air finds the weak spots first. Some pipes sit in colder zones than the rest of the house. These are the ones to watch during a Calgary winter.
- Pipes along outside walls with thin or missing insulation
- Basement pipes near vents, windows, or the rim joist
- Crawl space pipes where cold air settles
- Garage pipes and any line feeding an outdoor tap
- Sink pipes on an exterior kitchen or bathroom wall
Older inner-city Calgary homes often run pipes through cold, bare spots. Homes in Airdrie, Cochrane, and Chestermere face the same deep freezes and flash thaws.
How to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing
You can stop most bursts with a few easy habits. None of them cost much. Keep your heat on, even when you travel. Set it no lower than 15 degrees. Open the cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the pipes. Add foam sleeves to any bare line in the basement or garage. During a hard cold snap, let one faucet drip. Moving water is much harder to freeze. Find your main water shutoff today. It usually sits in the basement near the front wall. Learn to close it before you ever need it. A quick check during a plumbing services visit can catch weak spots before winter hits.
The Extra Risk With Grey Poly-B Pipe
Many Calgary homes built between 1985 and 1997 have grey Poly-B pipe. It was cheap and common back then. Over the years it turns brittle. Cold makes that worse. The plastic fittings crack and the pipe wall gets thin. A freeze that copper would survive can break old Poly-B. Look for grey plastic pipe held by copper or plastic crimp rings. If you spot it, have it checked. Our Poly-B replacement service swaps it for modern PEX that stands up to cold far better.
What to Do the Moment a Pipe Bursts
Move fast. Every minute adds more water damage to your floors and walls.
- Close your main water shutoff right away
- Open a few taps to drain the leftover water
- Shut off power to any flooded area at the breaker
- Move furniture and valuables off the wet floor
- Call a plumber before you try to thaw the pipe
Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe. You can start a fire or split the pipe more. A hair dryer on low heat is a safer choice. Warm the frozen section slowly and keep a tap open while you work.
When to Call RR Calgary
We have handled Calgary winters since 1996. Our service technicians are certified journeyman plumbers. That means one team fixes both the pipe and the drain in one visit. If a pipe bursts, or you want to freeze-proof your home before winter, reach out. You can request service online in a minute. There is no travel fee in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, and Chestermere. You can also call us any time at (403) 250-2660.