Winterization

As the temperature drops you need to do a few things around the home to prevent frozen pipes that can cause water leaks. When water freezes, it expands. If the temperature of your pipes drops below 32 degrees, even for a short period, you run the risk of a leak. Here are a few tips to try and prevent this problem.

Know where your main waterline shut-off valve is before problems arise. Depending on the age of your house, it can be inside a garage, crawlspace, laundry room, or underground in your yard. Some homes do not have personal shut off valve. The City does not know where your homes personal shut of valve is located. The City does have a shut off valve at the meter.

Inside Your Home

• Keep the temperature in the home at least at 55 degrees
• Open cupboards doors below sinks to allow warm air to circulate
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas (crawl space, garage, outside, etc.)
• During extreme cold run a small trickle of water from a faucet (1 extra unit of water is 748 gallons is much cheaper than fixing a leak.)

Outside Your Home

• Cover crawl space vents around the exterior of your home.
• Disconnect hoses and cover hose bibs.
• Shut off irrigation systems and drain the lines so no standing water is left in the pipes.

Signs of Frozen Pipes

• You turn on the faucet but nothing comes out. If plumbing should freeze, try to thaw it naturally or use a hair dryer on low setting waving the warm air back and forth along the pipe, not on one spot. Never use a torch or open flame as they could cause the pipe to burst, or even worse catch the house on fire. Keep in mind that if the pipe is already frozen it may have already split, so be prepared to shut off the water if needed.
• The water is turned off but you hear water running anyway. This is an indication of a water leak.  You need to investigate right away or call the City to have your water turned off at the meter

Waterline Insurance Alert

A few Pendleton water service area customers have contacted the city regarding information mailed to them about insurance for repairs or replacement to water supply lines. The City of Pendleton is not affiliated with the company offering such coverage and is not involved with this mailing. The city does not endorse or have any partnership with any organization's offering this service.  

• Any questions regarding the mailed information should be directed to the company listed in the material; You are not obligated to purchase this insurance.
• The city is responsible for maintenance, repair, and replacement of the water service line between the street and your water meter.
• Property owners are responsible for maintenance and replacement of the water service supply line from the water meter outlet to the home, and all water pipes.