Oct 26, 2012 2 min read

North Fayette County Municipal Authority is reminding residents to protect their water meters from adverse weather conditions.

Failure to protect the meter from freezing will cause it to break and stop water service.

The authority charges $100 to replace a meter, plus any additional costs if it breaks after regular office hours requiring overtime by the work force.

The authority said to prevent a meter from freezing, the authority suggests to insulate the water meter, insulate pipes, open doors under the sink, eliminate drafts and drain water lines leading to outside faucets.

A small crack in a door, window or wall acts like a blowtorch in reverse, officials say.

At near zero temperatures a high wind can freeze a nearby pipe or meter even though the surrounding room temperature may be 60 degrees.

The authority recommends some of the following to prevent a meter from freezing: filling holes in doors, windows and walls near meters and pipes; if the meter is installed in an outside pit place crumbled newspaper in a plastic garbage bag, tie it securely closed and place the bag in the meter pit to deter freezing, then put the meter lid back on securely; check insulation placed in the meter pit for dampness on a regular basis; check the meter pit or vault cover for cracks.