With a Status Yellow low temperature warning in place and freezing temperatures likely to continue for the rest of the week, Uisce Éireann is sharing easy tips to prevent freezing pipes, leaks, and damaged heating systems, while also helping protect our precious water supplies.

By following these simple steps, homeowners can save time, money and stress.

To help homeowners in their winterproofing efforts, Uisce Éireann has launched a social media campaign and a dedicated webpage at www.water.ie/winterproofing. Here customers can find comprehensive advice and practical tips to prevent leaks, conserve water, and make the most of their heating systems during the colder months. Tips include:

• Insulate water tanks and pipes: Exposed pipes and tanks are particularly vulnerable to freezing. Insulating them with lagging material can help prevent heat loss and keep pipes from freezing
• Service your boiler: A well-maintained boiler is essential for efficient heating and can help reduce energy bills. Uisce Éireann recommends having your boiler serviced regularly by an accredited plumber
• Fix dripping taps: We recommend you always fix any dripping taps but pay particular attention to external dripping taps in winter as water from them can freeze on the ground and can cause people to slip and injure themselves.
• Check your inside stop valve: The inside stop valve is the main isolation valve for your water supply. It’s important to make sure you can easily locate and operate the stop valve in case of a leak
• Minimise draughts: Cold air from outside can cause pipes to freeze inside. Draught-proof your home by sealing gaps around windows and doors.

In addition to these measures, Uisce Éireann encourages both the public and businesses to take responsibility for their water usage and contribute to keeping demand at sustainable levels. Simple actions like checking your premises for leaks, reporting leaks in the public network, and being mindful of water use in businesses can make a big difference.

Head of Water Operations, Margaret Attridge said:

“It’s not only about saving money and preventing damages at home, but also about ensuring a sustainable water supply for everyone in our community.

We know that the demand for water tends to increase significantly during very cold weather, so by following these simple steps homeowners and businesses can really make a difference and help ensure the taps keep flowing for all.”

Visit our website at www.water.ie/winterproofing, or follow Uisce Éireann on X, Instagram or Facebook for lots of useful water-saving tips. To report a leak or any issues with their water supply, customers can also get in touch with our customer care team 24/7 at 1800 278 278.

Notes

Uisce Éireann is Ireland’s national water authority, committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

Follow Uisce Éireann on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn #bewinterready

In addition to the tips above, the Government’s Be Winter Ready website provides helpful information for resilience this winter for people, their families and communities. See www.winterready.ie for more

Checking for leaks

• It is important to check for and repair leaks on your premises, especially during the cold, winter months. Business owners should be mindful of the risk of frozen pipes and possible bursts if a building is left unoccupied and unheated during a spell of very cold weather. If a commercial premises is unoccupied while there is a spell of cold weather, there is an increased risk of frozen pipes and consequent damage. Business owners should regularly inspect properties for leaks during a period of closures, whilst adhering to the public health regulations and advice.

More Tips to help you conserve water

• Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes
• Don’t let the tap run: Brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to a staggering 6 litres per minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest 1 litre of water
• Shower vs. Bath: The average bath uses 80 litres of water compared to an average shower using 49 litres in seven minutes. Switch your bath to a shower for a massive water saving
• Less time: With the average shower using 7 litres of water per minute by turning your five minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to 7 litres of water per day!
• Fully loaded: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded. A modern washing machine uses approximately 65 litres of water per cycle while a dishwasher uses 20 litres. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water but you will also reduce your energy bills
• Don’t flush it all away: A third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. Some larger cisterns can continue to work effectively with a smaller flush. Place a displacement device into the cistern (out of the way of moving parts) to save water