How to Prevent Freezing Pipes: A Michigan Homeowner’s Guide by Putman & Son’s Plumbing
Learn how to prevent freezing pipes in Michigan homes, including protecting outdoor plumbing and irrigation lines. Putman & Son’s Plumbing keeps your home safe.
Introduction
Michigan winters are known for extreme cold, sudden temperature drops, and long stretches below freezing. For homeowners and business owners in Rochester Hills and the greater Metro Detroit area, preventing frozen pipes is essential to avoid costly water damage and plumbing emergencies. Frozen pipes can burst without warning, quickly flooding basements, crawlspaces, and mechanical rooms. Outdoor plumbing and lawn irrigation systems are especially vulnerable.
Putman & Son’s Plumbing provides expert winterization and emergency service to help you protect your home before the cold sets in.
What Happens to Pipes During Freezing Temperatures
When temperatures fall below 32°F, the water in your plumbing system begins to expand. This expansion creates extreme pressure inside pipes, even if the pipe itself is made from copper, PEX, or PVC.
Areas most vulnerable include:
- Uninsulated indoor pipes near exterior walls
- Crawlspaces and basements with cold drafts
- Outdoor hose bibs and spigots
- Lawn irrigation systems and backflow preventers
- Detached garages or workshops with minimal heat
If the pressure exceeds what the pipe can handle, it can burst—even if only a small section is frozen.
Why Preventing Freezing Pipes Matters
Frozen pipes are more than an inconvenience. They can lead to:
- Significant water damage within minutes of bursting
- Mold growth from hidden leaks
- High repair and restoration costs
- Loss of water supply
- Damage to exterior landscaping systems
Proactive freeze prevention saves money and protects your property.
How to Protect Indoor Pipes from Freezing
Insulate Exposed Piping
Pipes in basements, attics, and garages should be wrapped with foam insulation sleeves or heat tape.
Seal Drafts
Cold air entering through gaps in walls, crawlspaces, or window frames can quickly freeze pipes nearby. Sealing these openings keeps temperatures stable.
Maintain Interior Heat
Even when away from home, keep your thermostat set above 55°F to ensure warm air reaches vulnerable areas.
Open Cabinet Doors
Allow warm air to circulate under kitchen or bathroom sinks when temperatures drop significantly.
Winterizing Outdoor Plumbing and Lawn Irrigation
Outdoor systems are the first to freeze and must be handled before the first hard frost.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hose Bibs
Remove all garden hoses, then drain and shut off exterior spigots from inside the home. Consider frost-proof fixtures if replacements are needed.
Winterize Irrigation Lines
Lawn irrigation systems require professional blow-out service, which removes all water from underground lines. Even a small amount of water left in the pipes can cause cracks or bursts.
Protect Your Backflow Preventer
Wrap the device with insulated coverings or install protective housing to reduce the risk of freezing.
Signs Your Pipes May Be Freezing
Pay attention to early warning signs such as:
- Reduced water flow from faucets
- Frost forming on pipes
- Strange odors coming from drains (a sign of blocked pipes)
- No water at all when fixtures are turned on
- Unusual banging or clanking noises
If you notice any of these, immediate action is required to prevent permanent damage.
What a Professional Freeze-Protection Service Includes
Putman & Son’s Plumbing performs comprehensive winterization services to protect your property. A typical visit includes:
- Inspection of vulnerable interior and exterior pipes
- Insulation of exposed plumbing
- Shutoff and draining of outdoor fixtures and irrigation connections
- Blow-out of lawn irrigation systems
- Testing of shutoff valves
- Inspection of crawlspaces, attics, and cold-air entry points
- Installation of heat tape where necessary
Our certified technicians ensure your system is prepared for even the harshest Michigan temperatures.
Why Choose Putman & Son’s Plumbing
Homeowners and business owners in the Rochester Hills and Metro Detroit area trust PNS for reliable winterization and emergency plumbing services. Benefits include:
- 24/7 emergency response
- Experienced, licensed, and insured technicians
- Up-to-date training on the latest freeze-protection methods
- Expertise in both residential and commercial plumbing systems
- Local knowledge of Michigan winter conditions
We help you prevent emergencies before they start.
Maintenance Tips You Can Do Yourself
Between professional visits, you can further protect your home with these simple steps:
- Let a small trickle of water run during extreme cold to keep pipes moving
- Drain outdoor plumbing systems every fall
- Keep garage doors closed to retain heat
- Check that crawlspace vents are closed in winter
- Add extra insulation around piping if temperatures drop suddenly
These small actions make a big difference in preventing frozen lines.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Freezing pipes can cause severe damage, but with the right preparation, you can avoid winter plumbing disasters. Putman & Son’s Plumbing provides expert protection for your home, including full winterization of outdoor plumbing and irrigation systems.
If you are in the Rochester Hills or Metro Detroit area and want to secure your plumbing for the winter, call (248) 652-0990 or request service online today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can outdoor pipes freeze even if temperatures only drop overnight?
Yes. A single night of freezing temperatures is enough to freeze exposed outdoor pipes or irrigation lines.
Do I need to winterize my irrigation system every year?
Absolutely. Any remaining water can freeze and crack underground lines.
Is heat tape safe for pipes?
When properly installed and maintained, heat tape is a safe and effective freeze-prevention method.
What should I do if my pipe is already frozen?
Turn off the water supply immediately and call Putman & Son’s Plumbing to safely thaw the pipe and prevent bursts.
