Winnipeg, MB - With temperatures expected to drop again over the next few days, residents with a temporary hose line connection are encouraged to take precautions to help prevent exterior taps from freezing.
Residents of both properties (the property supplying the water and the property receiving the water) are advised to wrap an old towel around the outside tap to provide some insulation and help protect the hose and taps from freezing.
In the event that temporary hose lines do freeze during colder temperatures, citizens can contact 311 to have their hose line thawed. If the hose line is leaking, turn off the supplier's outside tap, contact 311, and wait for a City crew to attend to reinstate the hose line. If the outside tap is frozen and can’t be turned off (yet water still leaking), try wrapping the outside tap in hot wet towels or pouring a cup of hot water on the tap. This should "thaw" the outside tap (i.e., the valve portion) enough to turn it off until the crews arrive.
The City cautions citizens against using a propane heater or open flame device (e.g., blow torch, candle, butane lighter) to thaw a water pipe, temporary hose, or the outside tap. Citizens are also advised not to use heat guns, hair dryers, heating pads or any other electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Leaking water could cause an electrical shock.
This winter there has been a sudden and dramatic increase in frozen water pipes due to prolonged periods of frigid temperatures and deeper-than-usual frost penetration into the ground. This is the second coldest winter in 75 years and the frost is currently at an average of about seven to eight feet deep below pavement surfaces.
For more information about frozen pipes, please visit winnipeg.ca/frozenpipes