Michigan winters can be rough on your home plumbing systems. Burst pipes, leaks, and costly water damage are all issues that plague homeowners during the coldest months of the year. The good news is they are also entirely avoidable.
In Troy, MI, our licensed plumbers have seen how quickly winter weather can turn a small issue into a major disaster. It doesn’t take more than some simple proactive steps (or professional help) to keep your pipes safe and your plumbing running all season long.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
One of the best ways not to let the water turn into ice in the pipes is to wrap exposed pipes in insulation, especially in poorly heated places like the basement, garage, or crawl spaces and attic. Inexpensive foam pipe insulation is easy to put up and makes a huge difference when the temps drop.
Contact our Birmingham Plumbing team for a whole-home plumbing inspection that includes recommended freeze prevention methods.
Seal Drafts and Leaks Around Your Home
Cold air will enter through small cracks and freeze the pipes located close to it. Inspect for spaces around windows, doors, foundation openings, etc. Fill with weather stripping or caulk.
Plan to have a home plumbing inspection scheduled prior to the first freeze so that your home is air-tight and ready for the winter.
Keep a Steady Flow of Warm Air
A quite important function that the heating system performs at home is to help in preventing the pipes from freezing; thus, it should be ensured that the furnace is in good working order and warm air is evenly circulated throughout the home.
In case your furnace is struggling, we can get our HVAC technicians to give it a tune-up or perform routine maintenance.
Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold
When temperatures dip below freezing outside, letting a faucet or two connected to pipes on outer walls drip or trickle is always a good idea to relieve the pressure in the line and hopefully prevent it from bursting, and causing a mess. Letting your faucets drip can help prevent a full-on emergency, such as repairs and major water damage.
In case one of your pipes freezes and breaks, we have technicians standing by to come out, help contain the problem, and get your system back up and running in no time.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Shut Off Exterior Valves
Before the first freeze, it is good to separate garden hoses and turn off the outside water spickets. Hoses left connected will trap water inside, which could freeze and expand back into your plumbing system. We also recommend draining your sprinkler system and checking outdoor valves for any leaks or corrosion during your annual plumbing maintenance inspection.
Know When to Call a Professional
If you notice low water pressure, frost accumulating on exposed pipes, or strange noises within your walls, never hesitate to call in a professional. At Birmingham Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we offer fast and professional plumbing repair services in Troy and its surrounding areas to keep your home secure and your plumbing system working properly all year long.
Stay Ahead of Winter with Preventive Plumbing Care
Michigan winters are brutal. Yet with proper preparation, you can protect your home from the costly damage that can result when pipes freeze or burst.
Schedule your winter plumbing inspection right now with Birmingham Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to make sure the system is ready for whatever the cold may bring. We have highly experienced plumbers to keep your home safe, warm, and leak-free all winter long.
