Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is reminding customers to take steps now to protect plumbing and irrigation systems, which can be damaged by a freeze.
The National Weather Service’s Wilmington office forecasts that overnight Friday, January 3, temperatures will drop below freezing. Freezing overnight temperatures are expected to continue through some of the weekend and into the following week.
To help prevent pipes from bursting, drain water from outdoor plumbing and wrap pipes, or allow a trickle of water to run through the system. In addition, temporarily turn off and drain irrigation systems.
Customers concerned about indoor plumbing can drip faucets and open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes.
Freezing temperatures can also damage backflow preventers. All commercial business water customers and homes with irrigation systems have backflow preventers, which keep irrigation water from contaminating the public water supply.
If you have a backflow preventer, protect it with a fiberglass cover. As an additional step, close the valves and drain water from the assembly. Just make a note to turn it back on in the spring.