Warning, Winterize Your Home Or It Might Cost You – 10 Things You Need To Do Now

IRISH Water has revealed ten essential things you should do NOW to winterize your home and keep pipes from freezing.

Temperatures have been bouncing above and below freezing for the past few days and nights, which could spell disaster for your water supply.

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Mercury fell to -9C in Co Down today while it was -7.2C in Athenry, Co Galway – and temperatures could drop even lower.

However, the daytime temperatures were consistently above zero.

In sub-zero temperatures, unprotected pipes and dripping faucets can freeze and crack, affecting your water supply.

And when the temperature rises again, those cracked pipes can leak, causing damage that could require a hefty chunk of change to repair.

To prevent this from happening, Irish Water have released some handy tips to keep your pipes safe as Ireland battles the arctic cold.

The water experts warn households not to act quickly because if you wait until the temperature drops again, your pipes could already be frozen.

First, all exposed pipes, including those in the attic, should be insulated.

This can be done with insulation or even a towel.

Not only does this prevent freezing, but it can keep warm longer, which can save you money on your energy bills.

Boilers should also be serviced regularly by a plumber to run efficiently, otherwise leaks could freeze and cause a nasty breakdown.

Checking the shutoff valves inside is also important to ensure they can be easily opened and closed in the event of a leak.

And to avoid slips and falls, check nine of your outdoor faucets aren’t dripping or leaking, even if it’s just a small drip it can cause a nasty injury.

FEEL THE HEAT

Gaps in doors and windows should also be caulked or covered, as cold outside air can freeze the water in your home while increasing your heating bill.

And despite government recommendations to use heating in moderation, Irish Water has urged households to leave it on longer at lower settings, even when you’re away.

But while precautions before freezing can save you many a headache when the mercury drops below zero, it’s especially important to take extra steps when it’s freezing.

USEFUL PRECAUTIONS

Occasionally opening doors to unheated areas of your home lets warm air through to keep the pipes from freezing.

And contrary to popular belief, leaving your faucets running won’t prevent the pipes from freezing and can even put unnecessary pressure on your supply.

Water supplies are often limited in wintry weather, so Irish Water has recommended that homes have a separate supply of fresh drinking water in case their pipes freeze or burst.

And if you’re leaving your home for an extended period of time, shutting off the water supply can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

Shutting off your water is via the external stopcock, but beware, it can freeze even in the cold.

This can be prevented by filling the containment chamber with non-absorbent insulating material.