How to Keep Pipes from Freezing in a Michigan Winter

Michigan winters are hard on plumbing. When water freezes it expands, and that pressure can split a copper or PEX line — often in a spot you can't see until the thaw. A burst pipe can release a lot of water fast, so a little prevention goes a long way.

Where pipes freeze first

• Exterior walls, especially on the north side of the house
• Crawl spaces, unheated garages and attics
• Kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls
• Outdoor hose bibs (spigots) and sprinkler lines

Before the cold sets in

• Shut off and drain outdoor faucets. Disconnect garden hoses, close the interior shutoff to each hose bib and open the outside tap to let it drain. Frost-free spigots still need the hose removed to work.
• Insulate exposed pipes. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive and easy to install in basements, crawl spaces and garages. For problem spots, heat cable rated for pipes is an option.
• Seal drafts. Caulk or foam gaps where pipes and wires enter the house, and close crawl-space vents for the winter.
• Know where your main shutoff is. If a pipe does burst, closing the main valve quickly is the single biggest thing you can do to limit damage.

During a cold snap

• Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher — even when you're away or sleeping.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
• Let a faucet on an outside wall drip slowly. Moving water is much less likely to freeze.
• Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through the garage.

If a pipe freezes

If you turn on a faucet and get only a trickle, a pipe may be frozen. Leave the faucet open and gently warm the pipe with a hair dryer, a space heater kept a safe distance away, or warm towels, working from the faucet back toward the frozen section. Never use an open flame or torch to thaw a pipe.

If you can't reach the frozen spot, the pipe won't thaw, or you see any cracks or water, shut off the main water valve and call a licensed plumber right away.

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