City of Regina offers tips to avoid frozen pipes

After the cold snap burst a pipe at Regina’s city hall, the city is offering tips to help residents avoid the same issue.

“This can leave you with no water or cause your pipes and/or water meter to burst, leading to expensive property damage,” the city said in a statement issued Monday.

To prevent pipes from freezing solid in extreme cold spells, the city advised setting thermostats no lower than 12 C at night or when residents are away, and ensuring water meters and any areas where pipes are near exterior walls don’t drop below 5 C.

Keeping garage doors closed can help if plumbing runs through the space, the city added, while kitchen, bathroom and laundry cabinet doors can be opened to let warm air circulate around pipes.

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“If leaving your home for longer than a 24-hour period, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and open the taps to drain the water from your plumbing lines,” the city added. “Have someone check your home daily to ensure the heat is working.”

On Sunday night, the city issued an advisory explaining that the extreme cold caused a pipe to burst at city hall, closing the building to all staff and residents on Monday.

Anyone in need of city services was asked to call 306-777-7000.

Carbon monoxide also a concern in cold

Extremely cold weather means furnaces and heaters are working especially hard, the city said. But in the cold, frost and ice can build up in chimneys and around air vents, which brings the risk of carbon monoxide building up inside the home.

Carbon monoxide detectors are “the most effective, low-cost, early-warning device available to alert you to the presence of CO in your home,” the city said.

Those detectors should be placed on each level of a home, the city noted, and within five metres of sleeping areas.

Saskatchewan’s cold snap is expected to end this week.