Cade Lucas
With winter here, frosty mornings have arrived too, and covering gardens and car windscreens are once again a nightly task.
However, this year, Melton and Moorabool residents are being encouraged to protect another outdoor item from the risk of an icy blanket.
Greater Western Water is warning households across Melbourne’s outer-west and north-west to make sure their meters and above ground pipes are covered to prevent them becoming as frozen as the frost.
Meters and pipes can freeze and in some cases even break and split when the temperature hits zero, resulting in no running water and shivering residents.
In this event, Greater Western Water General Manager of Operations and Delivery Solutions Jodie Hallam said there was only one solution.
“Just wait.
It thaws naturally as the temperature rises. This is the best way to avoid damaging anything,” she said.
“If you can’t wait, pour lukewarm water over the frozen area.
Don’t use hot or boiling water as that can damage the pipes.”
To avoid this scenario, it’s recommended that blankets, buckets or containers are placed over meters and pipes, though only if they can be easily removed.
Damaged pipes must be repaired by a plumber, but if a water meter splits or breaks, residents can call Greater Western Water on 13 44 99 to arrange a replacement.
