Is Your Plumbing Ready for Winter? A Michigan Homeowner’s Checklist
Michigan winter has a way of showing up fast. One week it feels like fall, and the next you’re waking up to freezing temperatures.
Before that first freeze hits, there are a few things around your home worth checking; especially when it comes to your plumbing.
Pipes exposed to colder areas of the home can freeze, and when that frozen water eventually thaws, you could be dealing with a burst pipe and a much bigger problem than you started with.
The good news? A little preparation before winter can go a long way.
Start with your outside spigots
One of the first things to take care of before freezing temperatures arrive is your outside water supply.
Start by shutting off the water to your outside spigots from inside the house. Once the water is off, open the outside faucet and allow the remaining water to drain out.
Why does this matter?
If water is left in the line and temperatures drop low enough, that water can freeze. Problems can also happen when an outdoor hose faucet fails during freezing weather.
So before you officially retire the garden hose for the season:
Shut off the water inside
Open the outdoor spigot
Let the remaining water drain
A few minutes now could save you from finding a frozen pipe later.
Some pipes are more likely to freeze than others
Not every pipe in your home has the same exposure to cold temperatures.
Pay extra attention to:
Outdoor spigots and their water lines
Water lines located along exterior walls
Pipes running through uninsulated crawl spaces
The common denominator? Cold air.
If plumbing runs through an area that isn’t properly insulated or heated, it has a greater chance of being affected once temperatures drop.
Depending on where the pipes are located, adding insulation, getting heat into the area, or properly using heat tape can help protect vulnerable water lines.
This is also a good time to look around areas you normally don’t think about. That pipe tucked away in the crawl space might not cross your mind in October, but you’ll definitely be thinking about it if it freezes in January.
What if you think a pipe is already frozen?
You turn on the faucet and…
Nothing.
That can be one indication that you’re dealing with a frozen water line.
If you suspect a pipe has frozen, try turning on the faucet to see whether you’re getting any water. If no water is coming through, the frozen section needs to be safely thawed.
And this isn’t something you want to ignore and hope fixes itself.
A frozen pipe can burst, and once it thaws, that damaged pipe can begin leaking water into your home.
If you’re unable to safely get the pipe thawed, call a professional plumber to locate the frozen area and address the problem.
PIPE FROZEN?
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If you suspect a frozen pipe, don’t wait for it to become a bigger problem. We can help locate the issue and get your water flowing again.
Going out of town? Don’t forget about your plumbing
Your suitcase is packed. The doors are locked. The thermostat is set.
But what happens if your heat stops working while you’re gone?
For homeowners who want to take an extra precaution when leaving for a few days during freezing weather, you can shut off the home’s water at the meter and open the faucets to drain the water from the lines.
That extra step can help reduce the risk of major flood if the home loses heat, a pipe freezes, and it later bursts as everything thaws.
The biggest thing to remember: keep your pipes warm
If there is one theme to preparing your plumbing for Michigan winter, it’s this:
Don’t leave vulnerable pipes exposed to freezing temperatures.
Take a look at where you water lines run throughout the house. Pipes along the exterior walls and in uninsulated crawl spaces may need additional protection.
That could mean adding insulation, getting heat into a cold area, or protecting vulnerable piping with heat tape where appropriate.
And don’t forget about the outdoor spigots. Shut off their water supply from the inside and drain the remaining water outside before freezing temperatures become the forecast instead of something you’re preparing for.
Michigan Winter Plumbing Checklist
Screenshot it, save it, or print it before the first freeze.
Get your plumbing ready before michigan gets cold
The best time to think about frozen pipes is before you have one.
A few preventative steps in the fall can help protect vulnerable plumbing once Michigan temperatures start dropping.
If you've found pipes in an uninsulated area, aren't sure whether your outdoor plumbing has been properly winterized, or discover a frozen pipe this winter, DC Dedicated Plumbing can help.
WINTER PLUMBING
Get Your plumbing winter-ready.
Not sure if your pipes are ready for freezing temperatures? Tell us what you’re concerned about, and we’ll take it from there.