When taps stop flowing during a cold snap, the frozen section may be a small indoor branch or the underground water service to the house. The response is different. Use this guide to identify the safer next step, follow Ottawa's process for a frozen municipal service, and avoid thawing methods that can start a fire or split a pipe.
If safe, check more than one cold-water tap and ask whether neighbours have water. A single fixture or one area of the house points toward a local plumbing branch; loss of water throughout the property during prolonged severe cold can indicate a frozen service, but it is not a diagnosis. Check for visible leaks near exposed pipes and know where the inside water shut-off is before a thaw starts. If a pipe has split or water is escaping, close the inside shut-off if it is safely accessible, stay ...
Ottawa defines the water service pipe as the underground connection between the City water main and the property's plumbing. The City's frozen-service guidance says to call 3-1-1, clear snow from the outside shut-off, and make a clear path to the inside shut-off so crews can reach them. Follow instructions from the City about running water; do not assume every home should leave a tap running throughout winter. The City says it will issue seasonal run-water advisories to vulnerable properties. I...
Ottawa's guidance allows cautious warming when you can determine the frozen section is inside the home: open a cold tap nearest that section, then apply gentle heat with an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe or a hair dryer. A portable heater requires care around combustible material. Stay present, follow the device's instructions, and stop if the pipe is inaccessible, damaged, or warming does not restore flow. Never use a blowtorch, candle, propane torch, or other open flame. Do not ...
Keep the tap open while a known indoor frozen section warms, as Ottawa advises. When water begins flowing, inspect the accessible pipe and nearby cabinets, basement ceiling, and floor for drips or new moisture. A split can leak only after ice melts. If water appears, close the main shut-off if safe and call a licensed plumber; do not close a wall or assume a brief test means hidden piping is sound. If the City restored the service, follow its instructions for removing any temporary setup and re...
Respond to a City run-water notice as directed and ask the City whether your service has a history of freezing. For indoor plumbing, Ottawa recommends keeping air above 8°C in areas with water pipes, especially near the water meter, and insulating vulnerable exposed pipes near exterior walls, crawl spaces, or attics. Seal drafts that blow directly on plumbing and make sure household members know the main shut-off location. Treat an unheated crawlspace, garage wall, or pipe chase as a site-speci...
During severe, uninterrupted cold, contact Ottawa 3-1-1 to report a suspected frozen water service pipe. The City defines the service as the underground connection from the water main to the house. A plumber can assess indoor plumbing; ask the City who is responsible for the affected section.
Only do so if the City has advised your property to run water or a qualified professional gives site-specific instructions. The City issues seasonal advisories to vulnerable properties and provides guidance on water use and billing.
No. Ottawa specifically warns never to use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe. For a freeze you can identify inside the home, its guidance describes cautious electric heat such as a heating pad or hair dryer; call a professional if the section is hidden or damaged.
No. Ottawa's guidance distinguishes the municipal and private portions of a water service, and charges may apply for thawing on private property. Contact 3-1-1 for current eligibility, arrangements, waiting times, and fees.