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1. How often is my meter read?

Residential meter -   Every 2 months
Commercial meter - Monthly

2. How do I prevent my pipes from freezing?

• Keep a trickle of water running from the faucets.
• Wrap uninsulated pipes with newspaper, heat tape, foam, or self-adhesive insulating tape.
• Keep doors ajar between heated and unheated rooms. The most common point for pipes freezing is in an unheated garage.

3. How can I thaw frozen pipes?

• Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve and open the faucet nearest to the frozen pipe so it can drain as it thaws.
• Use one of the following methods to gradually warm the frozen pipe. Be sure to work from the faucet toward the iced-up area.
• Use the warm air from a hair dryer to gently defrost the pipe.
• A heat lamp can be used for pipes behind walls, floors, or ceilings. Beam a heat lamp 8 or more inches from the surface. Use caution!  If no other method is available, wrap the pipe in rags and pour hot water on it.
• Never use an open flame. It can heat the pipe too quickly and break the pipe. There is always risk of fire as well.

4. Who is responsible for fixing leaks?

The City is responsible for leaks from the water main up to and including the water meter.  Any leaks located between the meter and the home or building are the owner's responsibility.

5. How do I check for a leak?

1. Make sure no water is being used inside or outside the house.

2. Locate your water meter.  It is usually found in the ground near the end of your driveway between your house and your neighbor’s house. If you have any trouble locating or reading your meter, contact us.

3. Check and record the current meter reading. Wait about 30 minutes (if possible, overnight is better). Remember:  Do not use any water while you are waiting!

4. Read the water meter again. If the reading has changed, then you have a leak that requires immediate attention.

5. There is also a sweeping hand/triangle on many meters which moves when water is flowing though the meter. If this hand/triangle is moving when no one is using water, it's a good indicator there is a leak.

6. Next, locate the home’s main shut-off valve and shut-off the water at that valve (normally located in the basement or garage, directly behind an outdoor faucet; or outside, below an outdoor faucet).

7. Repeat steps 2 & 3. If the reading has changed, you have a leak in the underground water pipe between the meter and the house. If the reading is the same, there is a leak inside the home.

6. How can I locate a leak?

• The sound of running water helps. If you hear it, follow it to its source.
• If water is staining the ceiling or dripping down, the leak is probably directly above.
• Occasionally, water may travel along a joist and then stain or drip at a point some distance from the leak.
• Any wall stain is likely to be below the actual location of the leak and you’ll probably need to remove part of the wall to find it.
• Without the sound of running water and without drips or stains as evidence, leaks are more difficult to find. Using a flashlight, check all the pipes in the basement or in the crawl space.
• Most outside leaks occur at connections. One is at the meter and the other is near the point where the line enters the home or building.  Sometimes the line leaks between these connections. Look for a wet or soft spot in your landscaping or near the driveway.

7. Should I hire a plumber or do it myself?

You can save a lot on the cost of a plumbing repair if you do it yourself. But, is it worth it? Clearly, changing a 15-cent faucet washer yourself beats paying a plumber for a $75 service call. In other situations, the choice may not be as clear. Before you tackle the large jobs yourself, consider the following:

• Tools and equipment required to complete the job.
• Building codes and permits.
• Your skills and level of experience.
• Cost of materials. In some cases it is prudent to hire a plumber.
• Remember to get a few estimates and select a plumber who is licensed and bonded.

8. Is there PFAS in my water?

Redmond supplies drinking water to customers from five City supply wells and from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Tolt River Watershed. The City supply wells pump groundwater, which is water stored underground in the pores between the sand and gravel that are under Redmond. Although PFAS are not regulated contaminants, and routine testing is not required, the cities of Redmond and Seattle tested their water sources in 2015 and found no detection of PFAS. The City of Seattle conducted additional testing in 2018 and again found no detection of PFAS in the Tolt River Watershed supplies. Redmond conducted additional testing in 2020 and found trace amounts of PFAS in one water supply well. This well has been taken out of production and no longer supplies drinking water to residents.  The City will re-sample all the drinking wells in November 2023 for PFAS following the latest sampling protocols.