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By Chantal Wagner

cold snap continues

Tips from the city to prevent frozen water lines

Feb 9, 2021 | 4:46 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – With cold temperatures expected to last for the rest of the week, the city’s environmental utilities department has a few tips to prevent frozen water lines.

The city’s manager of field operations Brian Graham says they’ve only had one frozen pipe call, which came in on Tuesday.

He says a few years ago they had over 450 frozen pipes reported in the city.

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If you are facing frozen pipes, call the city’s utilities department or a plumber and they can thaw out the line.

Graham says they’ll either do it from inside and or outside the house with their thawing machine, depending on the situation.

But he says there are tips to prevent frozen water services, like maintaining some form of heat in the house.

“I recommend at least 13 degrees Celsius especially around in the basement area. Also to make sure all windows and any openings that might allow cold air to get in and affect the pipes in the house should be avoided. So close doors, close windows. And make sure if you got any pipes that are exposed, make sure they’re insulated or have heat tape put on them as well.”

Graham adds older homes typically experience frozen pipes and very few newer homes have that problem.

For more information or questions on preventing frozen water lines, visit the link on the city’s website.