As temperatures drop across Wrenford, the City is urging all residents to take simple steps to protect their water lines from freezing. Cold weather along the Tamsin River and Corvid Creek ravine can quickly freeze pipes, especially in older neighbourhoods and homes near the water.
Water lines freeze when cold air reaches the pipes that bring water into your home. You can lower the risk by looking for cold drafts in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages. Seal gaps around windows and doors, and insulate exposed pipes in cold zones. Open interior doors and kitchen or bathroom cabinets to let warm air reach the plumbing.
Keep your thermostat set to at least 15 °C at all times. If your hot water tank is in an unheated space, make sure the room stays warm. Disconnect and drain hoses from outside faucets before the first hard freeze. Let cold water drip from a faucet for a few minutes each day if temperatures stay below freezing for several days. Running a pencil-width stream of water helps keep pipes moving, but you will pay for any extra water used unless the City sends an official notice telling you to run the water.
"Frozen water lines can cause unexpected outages and costly repairs," says Patrick Nguyen, Water Operations Manager. "A little preparation now saves a lot of hassle later. If your pipes do freeze, turn off the main valve and call Service Wrenford right away so our crews can help as quickly as possible."
If your water stops flowing, check your main shut-off valve and look for frost on exposed pipes. Turn the valve clockwise to close it, and counter-clockwise to open it. Once the pipe thaws, you can turn the water back on slowly. For after-hours emergencies, call 519-555-0111. You can also sign up for Service Alerts to get text or email updates about freezing weather and water service.
For a full guide on preventing frozen pipes and understanding your water bill, visit Protecting water lines and meters from freezing or contact the Water & Wastewater team.