In colder weather and during winter, water lines and meters are susceptible to freezing. Outside the home, water lines can freeze when frost and cold ground temperatures affect underground utility lines. Inside the home, water lines can freeze due to a lack of insulation around the water lines and their proximity to exterior walls.
How to protect your home
To protect your home from frozen water lines or meters, follow these tips to properly prepare for the cold weather:
- Seal outside air leaks throughout the home, garage and in water line areas with caulk or insulation. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes.
- Disconnect, drain and shut off all outdoor hoses and faucets.
- Insulate water lines with a pipe sleeve, especially in unheated areas such as crawl spaces, basements, attics and storage rooms.
- Insulate all exposed water pipes outside with foam pipe covers.
- If your water line is in a cupboard or closet, keep the cupboard or closet door open. This allows warmer air to circulate around the water line.
- Keep the thermostat set to at least 12 degrees Celsius (or 55 degrees Fahrenheit). Leave the furnace on, even at night and when you go on vacation.
Report a frozen water line
If you have a frozen water line, please contact the City of St. Catharines by phone at 905.688.5600 or by email at citizensfirst@stcatharines.ca to learn next steps.
Responsibility for repairs
Depending on where the water line is frozen, the City or property owner could be responsible for repairs. The City is responsible for repairs to the water line from the watermain up to the property line into the home. The property owner is responsible for repairs to the water line from the property line into the home.
Repair tips
If your water line freezes on your side of the property line, you can follow these steps to try and thaw the line.
- Make sure everyone in the home knows the location of the main water shut-off valve and how it works. If a pipe bursts, you must shut off water from the main valve.
- Before trying to thaw the water line, turn on a cold water tap in the basement. This lets you understand at what point your water service is restored.
- Use a blow dryer, aimed at an angle, on the exposed pipe near your water meter. Only do this for up to two hours.
- Place a warm towel or rag around the pipe.
- Do not use a torch or anything with an open flame to thaw water lines. This is a fire risk and you could overheat the pipe, causing it to burst. The joints could also pull apart.
- Never use electrical appliances in areas of standing water, as you could be electrocuted.