Worried about keeping your plumbing safe in the winter? Frozen and burst pipes are a common problem in Michigan. As temperatures plummet in the colder months, the water in your pipes can freeze and expand, causing them to burst.
If this happens, it can cause gallons of water to gush into your home, leading to significant water damage and expensive repairs. To prevent this situation from happening in your home, you’ll need to take several precautions.
At Oak Electric, our team provides expert solutions for plumbing in Ann Arbor, MI. If you need help preparing your pipes for the winter or have any plumbing concerns, reach out to us today.
7 Ways to Prepare Your Home’s Plumbing for Winter
Keep Pipes Warm
The most important step you can take to protect your plumbing is to keep the pipes warm. Wrap any exposed pipes with foam insulation and/or heat tape to provide a layer of protection and prevent freezing. This is especially important in unheated areas where pipes are exposed, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages.
Protect Outdoor Faucets
Prepare outdoor faucets by removing all garden hoses and other connections. Then, shut off the water supply. Leave the plumbing open to drain out any remaining water, and once all water is gone, cover the spigots with a protective insulation cover.
Seal Cracks in Your Home
Keep your home warm and free of drafts by sealing any gaps or cracks. Caulk or weatherstripping can help you seal around windows, doors, and utility pipes. In particular, focus on windows and doors close to any plumbing in your home.
Drain Your Water Heater
Prepare your water heater for the cold weather by draining it to remove sediment. You can also cover it with an insulated blanket, especially if it’s stored in a cold room.
Keep Your Heat Up
During the winter, it’s crucial to maintain heating in your home. Ideally, you should keep the heat at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher at all times, even if you’re away. This temperature ensures plumbing doesn’t get a chance to freeze.
Open Cabinet Doors
To make sure pipes benefit from the heat circulating in your home, it’s a good idea to open the cabinets under your bathroom and kitchen sinks. This allows the warm air to reach the plumbing directly, preventing freezing.
Let Faucets Drip
Letting your faucets drip ensures that water stays moving in your pipes. That way, even if ice forms, the consistent water flow helps relieve pressure and prevents a complete freeze.
What Should You Do If a Pipe Freezes?
Knowing where your main water shut-off valve is crucial in the event a pipe does burst in your home. This way, you can turn the water off as fast as possible and prevent significant water damage.
If you think a section of plumbing in your home is frozen but hasn’t burst yet, there are some steps you can take. A hair dryer, space heater, or heating pad can be applied to the frozen section of the pipe. It’s recommended to start the thawing process on the area closest to the faucet and work back along the pipe.
Thawing should be done slowly, and you should never use any type of open flame, as this can cause the pipe to rupture.
If the pipe is unreachable or you can’t get it to thaw, call a plumber immediately. Many professional plumbers provide emergency services, allowing them to reach you fast and repair pipes before they burst.
Get Reliable Plumbing in Ann Arbor from Oak Electric
Need expert furnace repair in Ann Arbor, MI, or the surrounding areas? At Oak Electric, we have 50+ years of experience in plumbing solutions. Whether you need repairs, routine maintenance, sump pump installation, or backflow testing, we can help.
If you have any questions about preparing your pipes for the winter, reach out to our team. We can help you take the right steps to protect your home throughout the cold season.
Are your pipes ready for the winter? Call (800) 964-7070 or contact us online for our top-rated plumbing services.
