It’s -32°C, you turn on the kitchen tap, and nothing comes out. In Edmonton, that usually means one of two things: a pipe inside your home has frozen, or the water service line that runs underground from the street has frozen as frost drives deep into the ground. The first is the bigger water damage risk, because when an indoor pipe thaws, it can burst. Here’s how to tell which one you’re dealing with, and what to do.
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Is It an Indoor Pipe or the Service Line?
| Clue | Likely indoor freeze | Likely service line freeze |
|---|---|---|
| Which taps are affected? | One or a few taps (often on exterior walls) | No water anywhere in the house |
| Where are the pipes? | Exterior walls, over the garage, crawlspace | Underground, from the street to your basement |
| Neighbours affected? | Usually not | Sometimes, during long deep-frost stretches |
| Water damage risk | High when it thaws and bursts | Lower, but no water for days is its own problem |
If you have no water anywhere, contact EPCOR. They can help determine whether the freeze is on the utility side or your side of the property line, which affects who arranges the thaw.
If an Indoor Pipe Is Frozen
- Find your main shut-off (usually in the basement where the line comes through the floor or wall, near the meter) and be ready to close it.
- Open the affected tap to relieve pressure.
- Warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or space heater at a safe distance. No open flames, ever.
- Watch for leaks as it thaws. If water appears, shut the main immediately.
- If the frozen section is inside a wall or ceiling, call a plumber.
If a Pipe Has Already Burst
- Shut off the main water valve and the water heater.
- Cut power to wet areas from a dry spot.
- Keep the heat on so more pipes don’t freeze.
- Photograph the damage and the burst section.
- Call a plumber and a water damage restoration company in Edmonton. Water from a burst pipe runs inside walls and ceilings and needs professional drying.
Edmonton Homes Most at Risk
- Bonus rooms and bathrooms above attached garages, common in newer neighbourhoods like Windermere, Chappelle, Allard and The Orchards
- Older homes with pipes in poorly insulated exterior walls, in areas like Highlands, Westmount and Bonnie Doon
- Homes with basement rim joists that were never insulated
- Homes left empty during winter holidays
- Infill homes where service lines were relocated
Winter Prevention Checklist
- Keep the thermostat at 18°C or higher during cold snaps, day and night.
- Open sink cabinet doors on exterior walls.
- Let a pencil-thin stream run overnight on at-risk taps.
- Insulate rim joists and exposed pipes; add heat trace cable where needed.
- Disconnect hoses and shut off outdoor taps in the fall.
- Install a smart thermostat with low-temperature alerts and leak sensors with auto shut-off.
- If you’re away, have someone check daily, and check your policy’s rules for unoccupied homes. See our insurance guide.
What Burst Pipe Restoration Costs
A one-level burst pipe typically costs $4,000–$9,000 to restore; more if it ran for hours or hit multiple floors. See the Edmonton cost guide. Quick drying also prevents mould.
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