WEATHERIZATION  TIPS

 

In case of freezing weather during the winter, here are some suggestions to follow to help prevent pipes from freezing and all of the inconvenience that ensues:

 

LOCATE...WATER SHUT OFFS. All shut-off valves to outside faucets MUST be turned off. DRAIN by turning faucet on. Once drained, shut the faucets back off. Locations of shut off valves vary from home to home (look under the kitchen sink, garage, and basement). IF you cannot locate them please call our office.

 

 CHECK YOUR WATER LINES. CLOSE ALL FOUNDATION VENTS by using Styrofoam vent covers.      If you don't have any foundation vent covers, newspaper works well. REMEMBER to open them again in the spring.

 

WRAP EXTERIOR PIPES AND FAUCETS. Newspapers, covered with a waterproof material make excellent insulation.

 

WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING. Leave cupboard doors open in the kitchen and  bathrooms so that the pipes under the cabinets will be exposed to heat.

 

LEAVE ALL FAUCETS RUNNING SLIGHTLY.

 

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE AWAY from the property for a period of time during the winter, be sure to let ADI Properties know in advance. You should also make arrangements with a neighbor/friend to keep an eye on the property so you can take steps to protect it in case of a sudden freeze.

 

If your property has a sprinkler system, it is important that it be drained and winterized.  If you have questions about doing this, please contact our office and we will refer you to a handyman whom you can hire to assist you.

 

 

        IF PIPES DO FREEZE IN SPITE OF ALL YOUR PRECAUTIONS    DO THE FOLLOWING:

 

  ** Do Use hairdryers, heat lamps, electric heaters to thaw out the lines. It won't be a fast operation, but it will be safe.

 

  ** Do not use open flame to thaw lines!  This is a fast way but you may wind up with your house on fire, or worse   yet, AN EXPLOSION  caused by expanding steam between two plugs of ice!

 

  ** Do not use electric arc welders to thaw lines. Like open flame for thawing, they too have been known to burn the house down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADI PROPERTIES may be able to help, but please keep in mind that during a freeze plumbers are at a premium and usually have a waiting list.

 

The above suggestions are merely to assist you and come from the Portland Water Bureau, which makes no guarantees with respect to these recommendations.  Any steps you take should be taken with caution and good sense.

     

             If problems develop call your local water bureau:

 

Portland Water Bureau:       

503-823-7770                  

Beaverton Water Bureau:      

503-526-2257

Tualatin Valley Water:   

503-642-1511                  

Tigard Water Bureau:            

503-639-1554

City of Hillsboro:           

503-681-6163                        

City of Tualatin:             

503-692-2000

City of Lake Oswego:            

503-635-0265                

City of Forest Grove:             

503-359-3221