Freezing Weather Event and Water Pipes in Oregon 01/12/2024

As you are likely aware, an Artic event is approaching with potential snow. Here are a few things to protect your water source from freezing, or worse burst pipes. We want to be sure you maintain water through this and other weather events. Below are some instructions and tips to keep your water flowing. Please take the time to read them and stay safe. 

Unfortunately, we anticipate a lot of frozen pipes throughout Portland and as a result there will be long wait times for a plumber to be scheduled let alone arrive in short order. Preventive measures and knowledge are the best defense.

• Exterior Faucet Covers. Unhook all watering hoses from any exterior hose faucet. Place the exterior Faucet covers securely on all exterior hose bibs.
  1. Don’t have the covers? They can be purchased at any Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware, Fred Meyers, Walmart and many others.
  2. REIMBURSEMENT! If you are one of our residents and do not have the covers or know where they are located, please purchase them and we will reimburse you for the cost up to $20.00. Keep your receipt, snap a photo and email it to invoice@blueroofpm.com.
• Interior Heat. Set the thermostat at a minimum of 60° in every room. Even if you will be away for an extended time.
• Kitchen and bath cabinets. Leave the cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Turn on faucets. Turn on the sink faucets so there is a trickle of water. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
• Pipe frozen. You may be able to thaw with a hair dryer. Slow, but it gets the job done. Never use a blow torch or flame device. 
• Whole House Water Shutoff. Find the location ahead of time. These are most likely located inside the attached garage or near the pressure valve. It can be a handle or a round turn handle (likely red) similar to an exterior faucet. To turn off the handle, rotate it until it is horizontal to the pipe. For the round style, turn it to the right until it stops.
  1. On older homes, the shut off may be located just behind the crawlspace access or in the basement.

Turning off the water in a situation of a burst pipe is the first thing to do. 

In the event of a burst pipe, shut off the main water, or the water to the affected pipe if able and contact our Emergency Line at 503-420-8880 X 4.

You may also contact your Water Company directly for shut off assistance.

Below is a whole house water shut-off video from the City of Gresham. You could substitute an adjustable wrench or small pipe wrench assuming you do not own one of the tools in the video.