Expect delays to thaw frozen pipes: City of Greater Sudbury

The deep freeze that has gripped the northeast region for days is wreaking havoc on water pipes.

The City of Greater Sudbury said it has received more than 100 calls in the past week from residents reporting that they have no water because of frozen pipes or frozen water metres, and because of the volume of calls wait times are growing for homeowners who are without water.

"Our typical wait times at this point are at least a day. We are trying to keep it to the shortest time possible, but with so many coming in all at once, the wait times are extending out," said Nick Benkovich, the director of water and wastewater services for Greater Sudbury.

Homeowners are responsible for pipes that freeze inside the home and on the private property side of the water service, Benkovich said, but the city will help thaw those pipes for a fee.

Frozen water pipes and meters can cause no water in homes the city said. The City of Greater Sudbury offered the following tips for being prepared:

•  Keep the indoor temperature warm.
• Open the kitchen cabinet doors under the kitchen sink to allow more heated air near the pipes.
• Seal air leaks in your home and garage, especially in areas where pipes and your indoor water meter are located.
• Do not turn your furnace below 13 degrees C (55 F) at night or when the house is vacant. If you’re planning on being away, ask someone to check your home regularly.
• Make sure you have enough drinking water to last 72 hours.
• Fill the bathtub to ensure you have sanitary water available. In an emergency, snow can be melted in your tub for water to use for sanitary purposes. If your pipes freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. 

The City of North Bay has also reported similar issues with frozen water pipes.

Property owners in North Bay who are having problems can contact the city to register to run a cold water tap on a continuous basis until the end of March.