Uisce Éireann urges households to winter-proof homes as cold snap hits

Ellen O'Donoghue

Uisce Éireann has urged households to winter-proof their homes, as the first cold snap of winter brings ice and snow to parts of the country this week.

Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo and Monaghan have all been under a status yellow snow and ice warning since midnight. The warning is set to last until 12pm on Thursday.

The counties can expect wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow over the course of today and tomorrow.

A similar warning is in effect in Northern Ireland.

Met Éireann has warned of hazardous travelling conditions and icy stretches in the affected areas.

People have been urged to expect icy stretches on roads.

Uisce Éireann said that freezing temperatures can quickly burst pipes, and has advised people to insulate exposed pipes, fix dripping taps and know where their stop valve is.

It has also warned against leaving taps running.

Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann, told Newstalk that people should take the time to make sure they aren't exposed to damage.

"The most vulnerable pipes are the exposed pipes, pipes that are exposed to the cold air, that aren’t insulated, so people can take simple steps within their own house to protect their pipes. If the pipes burst in your own house, it can cause untold damage, damaging your floor and your furniture and your electrics, so prevention is better than cure," Ms Attridge said.

Uisce Éireann added that frozen pipes remain a major risk to flooding houses and businesses, and recommends reducing drafts and servicing boilers.

Calling in on vulnerable family members or neighbours has also been advised.

The utility offers a free text service to keep people informed about local supply issues.

Margaret Attridge, Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann, told Newstalk that their advice is to use lagging material to insulate exposed pipes and water tanks to help prevent freezing.

"We’re also asking people, if you do have a leak in your pipe or a dripping tap, that can lead to a freeze within the pipe and block the pipe, and it’s also very important to locate your stop valve," Ms Attridge said.

Wednesday's weather nationwide is set to be cold with sunshine and scattered showers, with some turning to hail and sleet, and snow possible, but mainly over higher ground in the north, north west and east.

Highest temperatures are expected of just 3 to 7 degrees, but feeling colder with an added wind chill factor in moderate to fresh north west winds.

Tonight is expected to be cold with clear spells and showers in the north, west and south west. Some showers will turn to hail and sleet with a chance of snow again over high ground.

Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees are forecast with widespread frost and some icy patches developing in light to moderate north west winds.

Thursday is set to be another cold day with frost and icy patches being slow to clear. Many places are to be dry with sunshine, but showers will continue in northern and western areas, with further wintry falls possible.

The showers are set to die out through the day, however, and highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees are expected once again in light to moderate north west winds.