With extreme cold, there is the risk of unprotected water pipes freezing. Every winter we receive reports of frozen water pipes. A few simple steps can help reduce the risk you could experience this.
Property owners should make sure to insulate water pipes, especially ones in garages and crawlspaces. Keep cabinet doors open to allow heat to get to the pipes if they aren’t insulated. You should also set the temperature where pipes are to at least 12°C.
Contact 311 if you turn on the tap and water doesn't come out. We will come out to inspect the issue. If the City’s portion of the underground water pipe is frozen, crews will thaw it at no cost to you.
Property owners are responsible if the water pipe is frozen inside the home, or from the house to the shut-off valve.
While it is an inconvenience to not have water, make sure to be safe when attempting to thaw the internal pipes. You should not use hair dryers, portable heaters, or blow torches to thaw frozen pipes.
If you can find where the pipe has frozen, you can wrap warm, not hot or boiling, towels around it. You want to make sure to apply slow, even heat. A licensed contractor can also help.
Do not run your water as a preventative measure unless we've notified you. Otherwise, you would be billed for the full amount of the water and sewer charges.
Originally posted on February 15, 2019