As Michiganders face snow and frigid temperatures this week, some homeowners could see pipes freeze.
Last winter, Michiganders experienced frozen water and sewer lines due to extremely cold temperatures, the Michigan State Police said. The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness estimates 250,000 homes are damaged each winter due to frozen water pipes.
Water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on whatever is containing it. Pipes that are more likely to freeze are those exposed to cold in uninsulated areas, like crawl spaces or attics, as well as outdoor hoses, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines, according to American Red Cross.
An ⅛-inch crack in a pipe can be enough to leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, the MSP warned.
What to do if your pipes freeze
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
-
Don’t take chances.If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out call a plumber. If you detect your water pipes have frozen, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house.
-
Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
-
If pipes freeze and leak, do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. Electrocution is possible.
How to protect pipes from freezing
To protect your pipes from freezing the American Red Cross says:
-
Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in lines unless directed.
-
Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
-
Seal leaks that allow cold air inside, especially near pipes. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep cold air out and the heat in.
-
Many homes have pipes running in attics, basements and crawl spaces. Adding insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas.
-
Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in those areas should be insulated.
-
Consider installing products made to insulate water pipes, like a “pipe sleeve,” or installing UL-listed “heat tape,” “heat cable,” or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes — even ¼ inch of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
-
Set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing.
-
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall.
-
Let the cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe — even at a trickle — helps prevent pipes from freezing.
How to thaw pipes that are frozen
If you find your pipes are frozen the American Red Cross says:
-
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
-
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater, or wrap pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
-
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
-
Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
How much insulation should my home have?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends varying levels of insulation, depending upon where a home is located.
In Michigan, the Upper Peninsula recommendations are R60 for attics, R38 for non-insulated floors and R20 for walls.
In northern Lower Peninsula, the recommendations are R60, R30 and R20. And from about Saginaw south, the R values are R60, R30 and R20.
Various types of insulation offer different values.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Keep water pipes from freezing in Michigan this winter. Tips for you