Winter in Ann Arbor Michigan can be a tricky season for homeowners. One of the most common problems that Michigan homeowners face during the cold months is frozen pipes. While this might seem like a minor issue, it can quickly become a major problem if not addressed immediately. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what causes frozen pipes and how to prevent them from occurring in your home.
What Causes Frozen Pipes?
Frozen pipes are caused by extremely cold temperatures outside combined with poor insulation of the pipes inside your home. When water inside pipes freezes, it expands and can cause pipes to burst or crack, leading to costly repairs and potential flooding in your home. To avoid this problem, make sure you insulate any exposed pipes in your home before winter arrives. This will help keep them from freezing when temperatures drop below freezing. Most homes have protection in place to keep this from happening but when the temperatures get extremely cold it can put that protection to the test. Pipes on exterior walls and outside are most susceptible to freezing.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
The best way to prevent frozen pipes is by taking simple steps to prepare for the winter months ahead where temperatures can dip to dangerous levels. Make sure all exterior faucets are turned off and disconnected from their water supply lines before winter arrives; this will help prevent any water that remains in these lines from freezing and causing damage. There may also be covers available for some faucets to protect them from freezing. Many modern homes have frost proof faucets which help prevent them from freezing as well. It’s also important to add insulation around any exposed interior pipes such as those located in basements or crawl spaces. Adding insulation will help keep the temperature of these pipes warm enough that they won’t freeze when outdoor temperatures dip below freezing.
Dealing With Frozen Pipes
If you find that your pipes have already frozen, don’t panic! The first step is to turn off the main water supply line so no more water flows into your home until the pipe has been thawed out completely and fixed if needed. Once you’ve done this, you can use a hairdryer or space heater (on low setting) to slowly thaw out the pipe starting at its end point closest to where it connects with the main line (this will ensure that melted water doesn’t back up into other parts of your plumbing system). Be sure not to use an open flame as this could cause serious damage or even start a fire!
Frozen Pipes Can Lead to Water Damage
A common problem with frozen pipes is that the pipes can break or leak once they are frozen. Initially this will not be a problem other than you won’t have any water flowing through the pipe, but if it’s not repaired, it will cause a lot of water damage once it thaws out on its own. When the pipes do thaw out the water line will still have the leak and can cause damage to your home.
Frozen pipes can be a major headache for homeowners during winter months but they’re easily avoidable with some preparation beforehand! Make sure all exterior faucets are shut off and disconnected before winter hits and add insulation around exposed interior piping as well—this will help keep them warm enough that they won’t freeze when temperatures dip below freezing.
And if you do find yourself dealing with frozen pipes don’t panic—just shut off the main water supply line while you work on thawing out the pipe using a hairdryer or space heater set on low (no open flames!). If you notice any sort of problems or need help with frozen pipes in your Ann Arbor Michigan home, be sure to call A2 Plumbers today at (734) 291-0258. We can repair your frozen pipes quickly and insulate them so they don’t freeze again. Call us today for a free quote.
FAQs
Q: How can I prevent frozen pipes in my home?
A: The best way to prevent frozen pipes is by taking simple steps to prepare for the winter months ahead where temperatures can dip to dangerous levels.
Q. What should I do if my pipes freeze?
A. If you find that your pipes have already frozen, the first step is to turn off the main water supply line so no more water flows into your home until the pipe has been thawed out completely and fixed if needed.