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.

The post How to Prevent Freezing Pipes: A Michigan Homeowner’s Guide by Putman & Son’s Plumbing appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

Below are cost saving, fall and winter preparatory tips to do now to prevent many common plumbing issues.

Prepare your pipes for freezing temperatures

It is highly recommended to prepare your pipes for freezing temperatures as fall gets underway. When the temperature drops below freezing there is the potential for your pipes to burst, which can produce quite a mess and be expensive to fix.

To protect against this, be sure to check for any areas of your home that have uninsulated pipes. Common areas that are not insulated include: the outer walls, the garage, and the cellar. You can purchase a plumbing insulation kit from most hardware stores, and it is fairly easy to install on your home.

Make sure your water heater is running properly

Check to make certain your water heater is properly functioning, as it is important for it to work adequately during the fall and winter. Now is a good time to check that no repairs are needed and that the sacrificial anode rod is working correctly.

You can inspect your heater yourself if you have the experience and knowledge or hire one of our professional master plumbers.

Set your water heater temperature at no greater than 120 F to prevent energy waste and scalding.

Call us if you need a plumbing inspection

If you are in need of a plumbing inspection before the winter to prevent your pipes from freezing and/or to have a professional check of your water heater, contact Putman & Sons Plumbing for an appointment. We also have maintenance plans for all seasons to proactively help prevent costly plumbing problems.

The post Preparing Your Home’s Plumbing for the Fall and Winter appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.