Wow, it’s been a really warm winter here in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, BC! Usually, we get at least one super cold week where water pipes can freeze and burst. That means lots of emergency calls for Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter!
Even though we love living on Vancouver Island, sometimes we wish it would get cold enough for outdoor ice skating. So, this year, our team had a fun idea! If we find a pond with safe ice, we’re going to make our own skating rink!
How can a plumber make an ice rink?
It’s like this:
- Find a good spot: We need a pond with thick ice that’s safe to be on.
- Clear the snow: We’ll use the same tools we use to dig trenches for waterlines to shovel all the snow off the ice.
- Make a hole: We’ll use a big drill or chainsaw to make a hole in the ice.
- Flood the ice: We’ll use a sump pump (like the kind that keeps basements dry) and a hose to pump water onto the ice.
- Smooth it out If there are any bumps, we can use our torches (the ones we use to fix copper pipes) to melt them down.
- Let it freeze: Then, we let the water freeze overnight!
The next day, we’ll grab our favorite sweater, hockey sticks, pucks, and our best buddies for a game of pond hockey!
Do you know any good spots?
We’re looking for the perfect pond! Maybe somewhere in Ladysmith, Nanoose Bay, Qualicum Beach, or Parksville? Let us know if you have any ideas!
Important Reminder!
Even though it’s been warm, it could still get cold enough to cause problems with your pipes.
- Open cabinet doors: Let the warm air reach the pipes under your sinks.
- Disconnect hoses: Take off any hoses you have connected to outdoor faucets.
- Install frost-free faucets: These special faucets won’t freeze in the cold.
- Let the water drip: A tiny trickle of water can prevent pipes from freezing.
If you need any help getting your home ready for winter, Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter is here to help! We offer comprehensive plumbing services for all your home’s needs. If you need pipe repair or replacement, drain cleaning, leak detection, water heater help, and more, we’re the pros you need to call.
