It's cold: Protect your pipes to protect your property and keep the water on.

News Article

When temperatures are at or below freezing, water pipes can freeze or break. You can lower your risk by taking steps now to protect your plumbing from cold temperatures and by learning what to do if your pipes freeze or burst.

Published

February 12, 2025 1:30 pm

Translate this Page

English Español Русский Tiếng Việt 简体中文

In this article

With below-freezing temperatures in the forecast, the Portland Water Bureau is staffed and ready to respond to weather-related main breaks and service disruptions. We will respond as quickly as we can while putting safety first.

But we can't do it all, especially when it comes to the pipes in your home. You can help our crews by taking steps now to protect your own plumbing from freezing temperatures.

Prevent frozen pipes

To keep the water flowing, and protect your property from water damage due to frozen or burst pipes, take the following steps:

Open the cupboards under your sinks to keep pipes warm.
Let indoor faucets drip. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
Disconnect hoses and turn off water to outdoor faucets.
Cover and insulate outdoor faucets and hose bibs with hose bib covers or with newspaper or rags covered with plastic wrap.
Locate your emergency water shutoff valve now so you can act quickly if your pipes burst or begin to leak.

Learn more about protecting your plumbing

Additional guidance for commercial and multifamily properties

What to do if your pipes freeze

If no water is coming out of your faucets, or if some of your faucets are working and others are not, you may have a frozen pipe. Here are some steps you can take to defrost your pipes:

Caution! Frozen pipes can break or leak. Be prepared to shut off your water if pipes break.
Keep cabinet doors open to help keep pipes warm.
Thaw frozen pipes with a hair dryer or heat lamp.
Once the pipe has thawed, leave a little water running so the pipe doesn’t freeze again.

What to do if your pipes break or leak

Close your main water shutoff valve. Most shutoff valves are located where the water line enters the house, either at the front of your house where you connect your hose, in the basement near the hot water heater, or inside the garage. Some older homes and manufactured homes do not have water shutoff valves.
If you can’t shut off your own water, call our 24-hour emergency dispatch line at 503-823-4874 to request an emergency water shutoff.
After the leak is repaired, customers can request a bill adjustment.

Learn more about emergency water shutoff valves