Avoid Frozen Pipes and Water Problems!

The following information was provided by our partners at Washington County (OR) Emergency Management. Thank you!

Water problems are a common occurrence following freezing temperatures. Homeowners should prepare now. Homeowners should not call 9-1-1 unless they have a life threatening emergency or hazardous situation resulting from a frozen pipe or broken water line.

If you have a frozen pipe, assume it may now be broken and will leak when thawed. Be ready to shut off your water in a hurry when the line thaws.

Shutting Off Your Water

The easiest method of quickly shutting off your water involves closing a shut off valve near your home. Look for your shut off valve in the following places:

• In the garage where the water line enters the wall, ceiling, or floor near the water heater or laundry hookup.
• Outside near the foundation, often protected by a concrete ring or clay pipe.
• In the crawl space or basement, where the water line enters the home.
• At the meter box near the street. Your water meter is located in a concrete or plastic box in the ground, generally in front of your house and near the edge of your property line. A crescent wrench or faucet wrench is needed to turn off the water at the meter.
• At your yard sprinkler system backflow device.

Below are a few of the most common types of shutoff valves: