Freezing temperatures can make your home's plumbing system freeze and crack, leaving you without water service. A crack as small as one-eighth of an inch can unleash more than 250 gallons of water a day and cause flooding, high water bills, and serious property damage.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your pipes and keep your water flowing and functional. Protecting your home's plumbing system is your responsibility as a homeowner, but Union County Water offers guidance on their website to help customers know how to protect their pipes in winter weather. Here are some key tips: 

Cold Weather Precautions

• Use pipe wraps to protect pipes in unheated areas or anywhere they are exposed to freezing temperatures, especially attics, garages and crawl spaces. Insulated pipe wraps can be purchased at your local home improvement or hardware store. Pro tip: pool noodles work great for this purpose.

• Never let faucets drip outside. If dripping or leaking, make the necessary repairs or call a plumber before a freeze. Cold weather will freeze a small drip, fill the faucet, and freeze the pipe potentially causing it to burst.

• Disconnect outside water hoses from spigots. If left connected during freezing temperatures, water in hoses can freeze and expand causing connecting faucets and pipes to burst.

If Your Pipes Freeze or Burst

• Don't risk it. If nothing comes out when you turn on your faucet, call a plumber. Union County Water cannot recommend a specific plumber to you, but we do recommend that you use a licensed, local and reputable plumber. 

• If you think one of your pipes is frozen or has burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house. Your shut-off valve is located where the service line enters your home, usually in a garage or closet. 

Seventy-five percent of all winter weather-related deaths occur on the road, either in accidents or by people becoming stranded. When the weather is bad, and driving conditions are poor, the best bet is to stay at home.

Follow these tips if you must drive in winter weather:

1. Ensure that your battery, antifreeze, windshield wipers, ignition, and thermostat are all in good working order. Be sure your tires have enough tread. Replace any of these items if necessary.
2. If you must go out when snow and ice are on the ground, let someone know your destination and when you plan to arrive. Also, take a cell phone with you. 
3. Clean snow and ice off all parts of your car before you drive away.
4. Keep your gas tank as full as possible when snow and ice are forecasted.
5. Keep the following essential items in your car: windshield scraper and brush, booster/jumper cables, a tow chain or rope, bag of sand or salt, blankets, flashlight, first aid kit, and road map.
6. Drive slow. Driving at even posted speeds is extremely dangerous when snow and ice are on the road. Many vehicles will lose traction, especially at higher speeds, resulting in serious accidents and vehicle rollovers. 
7. Steer your car into the skid. If your vehicle loses traction and begins to skid, steer the front tires in the direction of the skid. Never hit your brakes, as this will result in a more serious skid and spinning of the vehicle. When your vehicle skids keep your cool and remain calm. 

Cold temperatures can be dangerous for animals, especially older pets and those with health conditions. Help keep pets safe by providing warm bedding, limiting time outdoors during cold or severe weather, and ensuring they have access to dry, draft-free shelter. Use caution with space heaters and other heat sources, as they can pose fire or burn risks if tipped over or accessed by curious animals. Visit aspca.org for additional safety tips.

Ice falling in freezing rain is hazardous and poses various problems. The ability of freezing rain to accumulate on nearly every surface, including trees, power lines, and bridges, makes it one of the most dangerous forms of winter weather. As little as a quarter of an inch of freezing rain can create widespread power outages.

When driving, ice can be challenging to see. The road may appear wet when, in reality, what seems to be water may be ice. If the temperature outside is below freezing, ice can form on the roads, especially on bridges and overpasses. Do not panic or slam on your brakes when encountering ice. It is safer to decelerate to a stop slowly.

Winter storms can cause power outages that disrupt communications, utilities, transportation, and access to essential services such as stores, gas stations and ATMs. Outages can also affect heating systems and electrically powered medical devices, creating serious health and safety risks. Because power may be out for extended periods, it is important to plan ahead and understand how to stay safe and informed during an outage.

Prepare by keeping emergency supplies on hand, including flashlights, batteries, blankets, non-perishable food and water. During an outage, keep refrigerators and freezers closed, discard spoiled food and unplug appliances to prevent damage from power surges. Use generators only outdoors and never use gas stoves or ovens to heat your home. Make plans for refrigerating medications, using medical devices and go to a community location with power if extreme cold makes your home unsafe.