Sprinkler System Winterization
Irrigation lines will need to be drained or blown out prior to freezing. Air pressure is most commonly used to carry out this procedure which insures that water does not collect in lines, freeze, and then rupture, all leading to costly repairs. We suggest contacting a local landscaper to discuss this procedure.
Local Contacts:
- Hydroscapes – Michael Miller – 541.480.2275
- Bluestone Gardens & Landscapes – Jake – 541.610.4331
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Avoid Freezing Pipes
If you are leaving town for more than a few days, you may want to turn off your water at the main shutoff. This will help prevent major damage should your pipes freeze. This can be done simply by turning off your home’s water valve. Once the supply is properly shut off you should then turn on all faucets and flush all toilets to fully drain excess water from the tank and lines. Lastly, set the thermostat to 55 degrees, this being the recommended safe zone for full prevention. Open cabinet doors under sinks & leave interior doors open to keep temperatures stable. If you’ve had pipes freeze in the past, you may want to consider installing heat tape in the problem areas.
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- Be sure to disconnect all hoses from outside faucets – this is an easy thing to forget and leads to frozen or broken frost free valves.
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Outdoor Faucet Covers
A standard outdoor faucet cover is and economical and easy way to protect outdoor faucets from freezing. Disconnect hoses first!
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- Here’s a video on how to install these, you can pick one up at a local hardware store.
- CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO
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Insulate Your Crawlspace
Because of the cool climate of Central Oregon, if your house has a crawl space, close the foundation vents and block with Styrofoam covers you’ll find at the local home improvement center. This will stop the cool air from blowing through and cooling the floors and the house, requiring less energy to heat your home.
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- LINK to Lowes example: CLICK HERE
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