Prepare for Possible Freezing Temperatures this Weekend

According to the latest from Chatham Emergency Management Agency, our area should make plans for frigid temperatures this weekend. Potential winter weather impacts to Chatham County begin tonight (January 21) and continue through Sunday morning (January 23). Highest risk is potential light freezing rain and hazardous driving conditions from ice forming on elevated roads and bridges overnight. Please use caution while driving in these conditions.

As you, your family and pets are preparing to stay warm and toasty, don’t forget to make plans your plants. Outdoor plants, including annuals and tropicals should be covered, or if potted they can be brought inside.

Below are a few tips from Utilities, Inc. to keep your water pipes in working condition during cold weather.

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses. 
• Close or cover foundation vents under home. 
• Close garage doors. 
• If your hot water heater or water softener is located in or above an uninsulated garage, check and protect it and the pipes leading to it due to the extended cold.
• Drip hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath. Drip single control faucets with the lever set in middle.
• Don’t forget to check on pipes to your washing machine in the laundry room. 
• Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw any frozen pipes that have not burst. Thaw as slowly as possible, and keep the faucet open when thawing frozen pipes to allow water to begin flowing through them.
• Do not attempt to force on a faucet or valve that is still frozen, or damage may occur.
• After the weather has warmed above freezing and any frozen pipes have thawed, turn off dripping faucets and monitor your water meter to check for unseen leaks.
• Turn off your irrigation system! If left on, it can cause safety hazards by creating ice on drives, roadways, and walkways, and there is no need to have irrigation on at this time of year.