With freezing temperatures arriving in Wrenford, the City is reminding residents to take simple steps to protect their water lines and meters from freezing. When a water line freezes, it can leave your home without water for days. While the City can help thaw the line, homeowners are responsible for the cost of thawing the portion of the line that runs from the meter to their house.
You can reduce the risk of a frozen line by following a few easy rules:
- Keep your indoor thermostat set to at least 15 °C, even if you will be away for a short time.
- Open interior doors and kitchen or bathroom cabinets in cold areas so warm air can reach the pipes.
- Check for cold drafts in basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and under sinks. Seal gaps with weather stripping or insulation.
- Disconnect and drain all garden hoses, pool fill lines, and outdoor decorative water features before the first hard freeze.
- Run your water through everyday use. If temperatures stay below -20 °C for several days, you can run a continuous pencil-width stream of water through the taps. Keep in mind that any extra water used this way will show up on your monthly bill, unless the City issues an official notice to run a continuous stream.
If your line does freeze and you need City crews to thaw the private portion of the service line, you must complete a Work Authorization Form before the crew arrives. The homeowner covers the cost of thawing the private portion of the water service line.
“We know how quickly temperatures can drop in Wrenford, and a frozen line can leave your home without water for days,” said Patrick Nguyen, Water Operations Manager. “A few small preparations go a long way. If you follow these steps, you can avoid a stressful emergency and keep your water flowing all winter long.”
For a full list of winterizing tips, visit our Protecting water lines and meters from freezing page. If a main break or widespread freezing does occur, sign up for alerts on our Service Alerts page so you know exactly when to expect water, tankers, or boil notices.