How to prevent pipes from freezing during cold snap in Kamloops, Okanagan
Many residents in the interior are struggling with frozen pipes as temperatures have dropped below -20 Celsius for the past few days.
There are simple measures you can take to prevent this from happening in your home during this cold snap.
James Dent is the owner of KamCity Mechanical Ltd which installs heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces and hot water tanks for businesses and residents.
Dent said he received around 135 calls for help Dec. 27 because of no heat and frozen water, and his staff, who are typically on holiday during this time, is all hands on deck.
“Getting the heat fixed is the first priority,” Dent said. “I have told many people today to turn their heat up five degrees higher than normal, and don’t turn the temperature back down until you have your water flowing. Keep the house warm, heat is your friend right now.”
Dent said the thermostat is most often located in the centre of the house and heat needs to be brought up to reach the perimeter where pipes near the outside walls of your home are likely to freeze first.
Dent said to keep the temperature in your home high during the night and open lower cupboard doors near outside wall plumbing.
He said some homes require more effort than others, depending on their age and structure.
“If you have experienced issues with frozen pipes before I suggest letting the water run just a little bit to keep things moving,” he said. “Some older homes have smaller furnaces that don’t put out as much heat as others.”
But water pipes aren't the only potential issue. Your natural gas also needs care to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department in Osoyoos said in a social media post.
“Please take a minute to clear ice or remove the snow from your gas appliance intakes and exhausts located on the exterior of your house,” it said. “If they are blocked, CO may creep into your home. CO has no odour, and you can’t see it. It is a silent killer. Be safe and install a CO detector today if you don't have one already.”
Three South Okanagan communities broke their daily low temperature records yesterday, Dec. 27.
READ MORE: Record-setting cold in South Okanagan, North Thompson
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
