Prevent Frozen Pipes in your Portland, Home This Winter

In the Pacific Northwest, winter brings mostly gray skies, drizzle, and moderately cold temperatures, but as any Oregonian knows, our weather can change unexpectedly, threatening unprotected plumbing.

When temperatures dip to 20°F and below, water pipes exposed to the cold risk freezing and bursting. Uninsulated pipes can freeze even above 20°F if they run through an unheated space.

At Sun Glow, we know that a single ruptured pipe can dump hundreds of gallons of water into a house in less than an hour. That much water can damage drywall, destroy belongings, and create a moldy environment. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services for pipe leaks and freezing, but prefer to give you tools to prevent winter plumbing catastrophes.

You won’t find yourself searching late at night for “burst pipe repair near me in Beaverton,” or “frozen pipes in Portland,” if you follow our winter plumbing tips for Oregon homeowners. We stress prevention rather than simply reacting to emergencies. Ready to give your pipes a fighting chance against the cold? Start with insulation.

Insulate Pipes in Crawl Spaces and Basements

Many homes in Washington and Multnomah counties are built over crawl spaces or have unfinished basements. These areas are pipe danger zones because they aren’t heated.

When the temperature outside stays below 30°F for an extended period, the air in these spaces can drop significantly, causing water in your copper or PEX pipes to freeze.

When water freezes, it expands. That expansion creates thousands of pounds per square inch of pressure, which eventually causes the pipe to split.

You can prevent pipes from freezing by keeping them warm with a variety of materials.

How to Insulate Like a Pro

Insulating the pipes in your crawl space, basement, or garage is essential in winter. Here are some of the materials you can use:

Foam Sleeves

These are foam tubes, similar to small pool noodles. The slit down the side enables you to slip the sleeve over pipes. They are affordable, easy to find at local hardware stores, and perfect for a weekend DIY project.

Fiberglass Wrap

This is better for irregular joints or high-heat areas.

Seal the Gaps

Use a plumbing spray sealant or caulk to fill holes where pipes enter exterior walls. A tiny draft of freezing air is sometimes all it takes to freeze a pipe. Close the sleeves’ seams with insulation adhesive tape. Some sleeves have self-sealing adhesive strips.

Heat Tape

For pipes that are particularly exposed—such as those near a crawl space vent—insulation might not be enough. In these cases, we recommend heat tape. This is a specialized electrical cable that you wrap around the pipe. It has a built-in thermostat that senses when the temperature drops and applies just enough heat to keep the water liquid.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly when using heat tape, and never wrap it over itself, because it creates a fire hazard.

You don’t have to insulate the pipe yourself. Our Sun Glow licensed plumbers can take that task off your hands and complete the work in less than a day before the next cold snap.

If you delay preventative measures, you risk frozen or burst pipes if temperatures drop.

Know Your Shutoff Valve Location

If the worst happens and a pipe bursts, every second counts. You need to be able to stop the water flow immediately to minimize damage. Every homeowner should know the location of their water shutoff valve.

You typically find the main shutoff valve:

• In the garage, near where the water line enters the house.
• In a basement or utility closet, often near the water heater.
• In the crawl space. We recommend moving the valve to a more accessible location. We can inspect your plumbing, determine if relocation is possible, and move the shutoff valve, making it easier for you to access it in an emergency.

Once you locate the valve, turn it off.

If you have a ball valve, it features a straight lever. If the lever is parallel to the pipe, the water is on. Move the lever so it is perpendicular to the pipe to shut off the water.

A gate valve looks like a wheel, similar to an outdoor hose spigot. Close it by turning the wheel clockwise.

If the valve is old and rusty, don’t force it! You could break the handle. Inspect it before the next cold snap arrives.  If it feels stuck or looks rusty, call Sun Glow for a replacement. It will save you frustration if you must close it during an emergency.

Plumbing Red Flags

Frozen pipes in Greater Portland often occur in places you can’t see, such as inside an exterior wall. Watch for these signs when outdoor temperatures drop to freezing:

Trickling Water: If you turn on a faucet and only a few drops come out, the line is likely beginning to freeze.

Frosty Pipes: If you see visible frost on a copper pipe in your basement, it is at risk of breaking.

Odd Smells: Sometimes, a frozen pipe prevents sewer gases from venting correctly, leading to strange odors in the house.

Frequently Asked Winter Plumbing Questions

At what temperature do pipes freeze in Oregon?

While pipes are most at risk when temperatures drop below 20°F, uninsulated pipes in drafty crawl spaces can freeze when it is 32°F or higher outside.

Should I leave my faucet dripping?

Yes. If a cold snap is predicted, letting a faucet drip slightly relieves pressure within the system and can prevent a pipe from bursting even if it freezes.

Will PEX pipe freeze and burst?

While PEX is more flexible and resistant to bursting than copper or galvanized steel, it can still split under the extreme pressure of freezing water.

Choose Sun Glow for Your Winter Plumbing Needs

We understand that plumbing disasters happen unexpectedly, at any time. That’s why we offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services throughout the Portland metro area.

When you call us for frozen pipes, our experienced Sun Glow technicians thoroughly inspect your system for vulnerabilities. We check for aging pipes and weak connections that are prone to failure, and ensure your shutoff valve is operational.

Protect Your Plumbing in Porland Today!

Don’t wait for the next polar vortex to discover your pipes are vulnerable. Let us at Sun Glow handle your winter plumbing needs, whether you need help with insulation, heat tape application, or you are currently facing a burst pipe nightmare. Call us at 971-358-0723 or request service online.