When winter is approaching Calgary, we all know that it could always be sooner than later, so it’s important that you gather your winterization checklist for your home’s exterior and interior. Whether you cover up your RV, check your insulation, or install some weather stripping, there is also a list of plumbing maintenance to consider before the first frost hits, and that includes knowing who to call when you need professional services for frozen pipes.
Your local Calgary plumber from Calgary Pro Plumbing knows the local climate very well and how the freezing cold can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Not only is your home’s pipework under threat, but also your foundation. In the event of cracks and bursts, leaks could lead to flooding and water damage that would compromise your home’s structural integrity. Our local experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary have a comprehensive list for winterization and also offer efficient Calgary frozen pipe repair services. Read on to learn more about how Mr. Rooter Plumbing helps with frozen pipes.
Frozen Pipes in Calgary
We have all been there—unexpected cold snaps that have come too early. While many are already used to having record-breaking snowfall in the spring, it’s not unusual for winter to start during autumn.
If your drain and supply lines suffer from frost, water will expand and create blockages that will restrict adequate water flow. As a result, tremendous pressure will trigger a pipe burst. When cold weather kicks in, and you notice a sudden change of water pressure, do not force your faucet or shower, but inspect your supply lines first. Chances are that you have frozen pipes.
Calgary frozen pipe repair services are most common when temperatures go below freezing because many local residents haven’t had the opportunity yet to prepare their plumbing for the winter. During the fall, winterization is often the last thing everyone has in mind, even during cooler days.
As for your outdoor living space, you have likely disconnected your garden hose and covered up your patio, but what else did you forget? Hopefully, you have cleaned your gutters, ensuring your exterior drainage system, downspout pipes included, is not clogged with leaves and debris.
Having reduced the risk of ice dams, there is another detail that you have missed—your hose bib, also known as the outdoor faucet or spigot. As an outdoor water supply unit, it’s essential to drain it and insulate it during the winter months. Ideally, you turn off the shut-off valves of any plumbing fixture that you won’t use, especially if they are in a non- or partially heated space, such as an unfurnished basement where most homeowners get frozen pipes.
Most Calgary plumbers have a list of recommendations that will help you maintain your plumbing during the winter. For example, waterproofing your basement will help stop water from seeping through the concrete or install additional ventilation systems to keep the air dry. Your sewer line is also prone to freezing for the same reasons as your water line. Insufficient insulation will eventually call for Calgary frozen pipe repairs.
Calgary Pro Plumbing’s Frozen Pipe Repairs
When hiring your local plumbers for frozen pipe repairs, you can expect us to treat it as a plumbing emergency. These incidents tend to happen overnight when it is the coldest, and you might notice the warning signs first thing in the morning before washing your face or filling your kettle. Is water either trickling off the spout or you can’t flush the toilet because the tank isn’t filling up? To reduce the risk of water damage and costly repairs, you need to address this issue immediately.
The key is to add heat to the affected pipes and thaw them as quickly as possible. If you notice bulging pipes, call Calgary Pro Plumber’s emergency plumbing services. Prior to our arrival, we will suggest that you turn off your water supply and take measures to safely thaw your water pipes as much as possible.
Upon arrival, your plumber may use heating devices to thaw your pipes. They will also run a detailed plumbing diagnosis to check for burst pipes with leak detection devices. Burst pipe repairs are common in the event of frozen pipes. Calgary plumbers complete multiple water line repairs in the winter due to water main breaks.
If you are lucky and no repairs are needed, we may recommend pipe insulation service and also give you tips on DIY insulation jobs, so you won’t have to worry about emergency frozen pipe repairs again.
Why Hire Calgary Pro Plumbing For Frozen Pipe Repairs in Calgary?
Calgary Pro Plumbing is a locally-owned plumbing company that has been serving Calgarians for many years. As a proud member of Neighborly’s community of home service providers, we always strive to provide local customers with exceptional workmanship, transparency, and customer care. Our code of values also includes respect and integrity.
Not only do we exclusively hire licensed professionals that are insured and courteous, but we also ensure they bring a positive attitude to their jobs, ensuring that our customers feel safe and well looked after during their appointment. Calgary Pro Plumbing’s goal is to build strong relationships with clients by communicating clearly and treating each home with respect and consideration.
When it comes to your home’s comfort and safety, you don’t like unexpected surprises, and neither do we. Therefore, we offer upfront pricing with an emphasis on no overtime charges. Cost estimates are made with your local plumbing professional during a consultation and inspection service. This way, our uniformed professionals have the opportunity to check for underlying issues and eliminate any surprises that could lead to unexpected surcharges.
We offer convenient appointment times and flexible service options that allow you to choose the service that works best for you. Give our friendly office team a call to learn more about our high-quality plumbing services.
Calgary Frozen Pipe Repair—Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Unfreeze Pipes?
To unfreeze frozen pipes, some plumbers carry effective tools that will help homeowners speed up the process. There is not much labor involved unless you consider the time we take to insulate and inspect your plumbing for leaks. We will check buried and underground lines and plumbing fixtures to ensure that once your water flow has been restored, you are not experiencing any other plumbing issues. All these steps may only take a couple of hours, or they may take longer depending on the extent of the freezing and the condition of your pipes.
How Much Does It Cost To Unfreeze Pipes?
At Calgary Pro Plumbing, we aim to be transparent with our pricing system. We believe that putting a price on a service can be very misleading if our plumbers haven’t had a chance to thoroughly inspect a problem first.
For example, frozen pipe repair may have its own price, but burst pipe repair will have a different price. Once we know the exact details of repairs and treatments needed, we’ll be able to provide you with a clear estimate with no unexpected surcharges. Please feel free to give our office team a call for more details regarding our cost system.
Can I Pour Hot Water Down The Drain To Treat Frozen Pipes?
Many plumbers do not recommend this solution, and it must be done carefully if it’s done at all. Pouring hot water down a frozen drain can put it at a greater risk of damage and can add a lot of strain to PVC pipes. In the worst-case scenario, excess pressure could trigger a pipe burst. Your best solution is to call a licensed plumber to further inspect the situation first.
How Do I Best Prevent Frozen Pipes in Calgary?
Most plumbers recommend taking preventive measures as early as late August or the start of September. Your plumbing expert at Calgary Pro Plumbing suggests the following maintenance duties for avoiding frozen pipes:
- Disconnect your sprinkler from the hose bib, drain the unit, and apply an insulating faucet cover. Locate the shut-off valve and turn it off.
- Hire a qualified plumber to flush your hot water tank and perform any necessary maintenance. It’s important to ensure your heater is working properly throughout the winter. If it’s performing poorly and not heating up water, it’ll also be susceptible to freezing. We’re happy to insulate the tank for you.
- Check areas in your home that you don’t visit regularly and that is not thoroughly heated in the winter. Ensure the air duct covers are open so that the space will benefit from some furnace heat.
- Lastly, provide your plumbing with insulation fittings in the form of wraps or foams.
Should I Turn Up My Hot Water Heater In The Winter?
Normally, there is no need to. As long as it’s preset at 49 °C, it’s OK. Frequently running hot water through your pipes will also reduce the risk of freezing, but you don’t have to turn up the heater if your supply is sufficiently warm.
How Long Do Frozen Pipes In Calgary Take To Thaw Naturally?
It will depend on the weather. Consistent frigid temperatures won’t help and the longer you wait, the riskier it is that you will need burst pipe repair services, as water will continue to expand. If the temperatures are decent, it could still take up to six hours to thaw.
Should I Turn Off the Water If I Have Frozen Pipes?
Yes, we recommend that you turn off the main shut-off valve but keep the faucets open to enable the flow. Any remaining fluid in the lines will help you through the thawing process.
How Do You Repair Burst Pipes?
This depends on the type of damage, but any visible pipe bursts are easy to repair because we can cut out the damaged section and replace it with a new one. However, if the burst occurs behind walls or concrete, we may utilize trenchless technology, which is a minimally invasive repair method that involves installing an inflatable replacement pipe that’s soaked in epoxy resin. Once it’s cured, your lines will be back to normal.
What Temperature Should I Keep My House to Prevent Frozen Pipes
The best indoor temperature is 20 °C or higher. If you have an unfinished basement, it’s likely that it’s a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of your house. If turning up the heat is not an option and affects your overall comfort, it is OK to keep it as it is, as long as your plumbing is well-insulated. During extremely cold temperatures, we recommend using a space heater in the area and opening up any cupboards with pipes to allow heat to reach them. This way, you won’t have to worry about increasing your furnace temperature, which will otherwise increase your monthly energy bills.
Are Sump Pumps Susceptible to Freezing?
They certainly are, whether this occurs inside the pit or in the discharge line. Because of the threat of floods, many local homeowners have turned to us for efficient sump pump installation services. They are an extremely valuable addition to your home but require a fair amount of maintenance, which also includes winterization. If the weather gets exceptionally cold, you can remove the discharge pipe and pause the unit (but don’t unplug it). As soon as snowmelt is near, or whenever the next Chinook arrives, remember to reattach the pipe.
Need Frozen Pipe Repairs in Calgary?
If Calgary winters are no surprise to you, we beg to differ, especially when your plumbing system is on the line. We know there is too little summer for everybody to fully enjoy when considering unexpected heat waves or wildfire smoke. But Canadians know that winter is always around the corner.
When hiring Calgary Pro Plumbing as your trusted frozen pipe repair professional, you’ll get peace of mind knowing that all preventative maintenance tasks have been ticked off. Save yourself the headache of needing trenchless sewer line repairs during the worst time of the year. Act now and be ahead of everybody.
Contact our excellent customer service team today to schedule your appointment or find out why our exceptional plumbing services surpass others.
