Winter in Toronto isn’t easy on your property’s plumbing, and storm drains are no exception. As temperatures drop, snow, slush, and meltwater can back up and freeze solid inside your storm drain system. The result? Cracked pipes, blocked drainage, and potential flooding when you least expect it.
If you’re managing a building, condo, or commercial property, preventing storm drains from freezing isn’t optional—it’s essential. In this guide, we’ll show you how winter weather impacts your storm drainage system and how to protect it before the next deep freeze hits.
Why Do Storm Drains Freeze?
Storm drains are built to carry away rainwater and snowmelt. But during Ontario’s freeze-thaw cycles, drains can become traps for standing water. If leaves, debris, or sludge are blocking the flow, water collects and freezes as temperatures drop.
Here’s what typically causes freezing:
- Debris buildup in catch basins and grates
- Slow drainage due to internal pipe blockage
- Standing meltwater after snowstorms
- Poor insulation around exterior or shallow underground drains
- Sub-zero overnight temperatures that freeze water before it flows out
Once frozen, these drains can crack, burst, or overflow, leading to flooding in underground garages, parking lots, stairwells, or even basements.
Signs Your Storm Drain May Freeze This Winter
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Here are warning signs your storm drain system might freeze or back up:
- Water pooling around drain covers or manholes
- Strange odours coming from outdoor drains
- Gurgling sounds during heavy rain or snowmelt
- Slower-than-usual drainage after a thaw
- Visible ice around exterior grates or pipes
These symptoms usually mean your storm drain or catch basin needs cleaning or inspection ASAP.
6 Ways to Prevent Your Storm Drain from Freezing
Want to avoid winter backups, burst pipes, and frozen blockages? Here’s how to winter-proof your storm drains before the worst of Toronto’s cold hits.
1. Clean Your Catch Basins in Fall
This is your first and most important step. By late October, fallen leaves, grit, and organic waste pile up inside storm drains and catch basins. If not cleaned out, they block water flow and freeze solid.
Schedule a professional catch basin cleaning before the temperature dips. It’s one of the best ways to stop ice buildup at the surface and inside pipes.
For heavier sediment or commercial properties, we recommend catch basin vacuum cleaning or pumping services for full-depth cleanouts.
2. Inspect and Flush Your Storm Drains
Storm drains need to be free-flowing to prevent freezing. If your system hasn’t been flushed in a while, sludge and mineral buildup could be restricting flow.
AquaTeam offers storm drain cleaning with hydro-jetting equipment that blasts through clogs and flushes out anything that could cause a winter freeze. It’s especially important for older properties or buildings with known drainage issues.
3. Salt Around Grates and Entry Points
As a short-term winter hack, applying salt or a brine solution around storm drain openings and curbside inlets can help prevent surface water from freezing over and blocking access.
This won’t prevent deep freezing inside the pipes, but it’s helpful during extreme cold snaps where water can freeze before entering the system.
4. Check for Improper Drainage Slope or Pooling
Some drains freeze simply because the surrounding pavement or landscape forces water to pool at the opening. In winter, these shallow puddles freeze and grow, eventually forming ice dams that block your entire drain.
Before snow season, walk the perimeter of your property and look for dips or pooling areas. Small changes in slope can make a big difference in water flow.
5. Schedule a Drain Inspection
If your property has had frozen drains, flooding, or water backups in past winters, book a full inspection now. It’s cheaper to catch issues early than deal with a failed pipe during a snowstorm.
Our technicians at AquaTeam use video scopes, flow tests, and on-site analysis to identify cracks, collapsed lines, and restricted drains. You can also read more about common drain pipe failure causes.
6. Install Pipe Insulation or Heating
For high-risk or shallow-depth drain lines, consider adding pipe insulation or electric heat tape to prevent freezing. These are especially helpful in:
- Exposed stairwell or rooftop drains
- Parking lot storm lines
- Drain exits near loading docks or unheated areas
Our team can advise on which sections would benefit from insulation or upgrades to your winter drain protection.
What Happens if a Storm Drain Freezes?
If a storm drain freezes solid, it can:
- Crack or break under pressure
- Cause surface flooding during snowmelt
- Lead to ice formation in walkways or garages
- Flood lower levels and underground areas
- Create emergency plumbing needs mid-winter
A frozen storm drain can easily result in thousands in water damage—especially if it goes unnoticed for days during a snowstorm or rapid thaw.
Why AquaTeam Is Your Go-To for Winter Drain Prep
We’re not just drain cleaners—we’re drainage specialists. AquaTeam works with residential, commercial, and condo properties across the GTA to keep their drainage systems flowing safely in all seasons.
What sets us apart?
- We understand how freezing temperatures impact catch basins, storm drains, and area drains across a wide range of property types.
- We use advanced tools like hydro-jetting and vacuum trucks to flush out buildup before it becomes a frozen blockage.
- Our technicians are trained to spot small issues, like poor slope or drain obstructions, that could lead to major flooding once snow starts melting.
Our storm drain services include:
- Catch basin cleaning and vacuuming
- Storm drain flushing and hydro-jetting
- Area drain cleaning
- Winter pipe inspections
- Emergency support during winter backups or freeze-ups
We know how harsh a Toronto winter can be—and we know how to keep your drains ready for it.
📞 Need to book a pre-winter drain inspection or clean-out?
Contact AquaTeam today and get ahead of the freeze.
Final Thoughts: Prevent Your Storm Drain from Freezing
Don’t let a frozen storm drain ruin your winter. With a few preventative steps—like catch basin cleaning, storm drain flushing, and pre-winter inspections—you can protect your property from serious damage and costly repairs.
Toronto winters aren’t getting any milder. It’s time to prep your drains before they turn to solid ice.
Let AquaTeam help you do it right.
🌟 See Our Reviews on Google
📍 Find Us on Google Maps
👉 Contact Us Now
📞 Call us at 647-831-3538 for expert seasonal drain protection.