With nighttime temperatures expected to drop significantly this weekend, the City of Port Coquitlam advises residents to take necessary precautions to prevent water pipes from freezing.
Frozen pipes can cause significant and costly property damage if they burst, potentially leaving homes without water for several days, depending on the extent of repairs required.
Residents are asked to follow the tips below, or contact a plumber for advice, especially if the pipes inside their properties are prone to freezing.
Prevent Your Water Pipes From Freezing
Tips to avoid frozen water pipes in the home:
- Know where to find your main internal water shut-off valve
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Outdoor faucets are the first to freeze. Turn off all outside taps and drain the lines.
- Insulate pipes most prone to freezing, especially near outside walls and in crawl spaces, the attic and garage. Foam pipe covers are available at building supply or home improvement stores.
- Open kitchen, bathroom and laundry cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
- For peace of mind, you can choose to run a pencil-thin stream of water to ensure some movement of water in the pipes that might be vulnerable to freezing. Leave the pencil-thin stream flowing 24 hours a day until daytime and nighttime temperatures have returned to normal seasonal averages. Ensure the drain is kept clear of debris to prevent overflowing or flooding.
If Your Water Pipes Freeze
If you turn on your taps and have no water, the pipes in your home may be frozen. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls where the water service pipe enters the home through the foundation wall or the water service pipe between your property line and your home.
Here are some tips and precautions when thawing frozen pipes:
- Apply heat to the suspected frozen pipe by warming the air around it or applying heat directly to the pipe. You can use an electric heating pad, hair dryer, space heater or warm towel or rag. Do not leave electrical devices unattended, or use kerosene or propane heaters, charcoal stoves or any open flame to thaw a frozen pipe.
- Depending on the outside temperature and the extent of freezing within the pipe, the thawing process could take between one and six hours.
- Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.
- Turn on a tap in the basement, preferably the cold-water faucet in the laundry room.
Property owners are responsible for the water service pipes inside their own property, including those that are in private gardens, yards, driveways etc. It is important to ensure these pipes are adequately protected by ensuring that they are more than two feet beneath the surface, as per the Waterworks Regulation Bylaw.
Residents are reminded that if they need an external water shut off, the City should be called to operate the curb stop. A resident or their plumber operating a curb stop who causes damage is liable for the costs of the repair by City staff. This can be a chargeable service.
For information and winter preparation tips, visit portcoquitlam.ca/snow, use the PoCo Sort and Report app to report any City service issues or email portcoquitlam.ca/report or call 604.927.3111.
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