Pipe Freeze Risk Check for Howell, MI
Michigan winters split pipes in outside walls, garages and empty houses. Tick what fits the home to judge the risk.
How the freeze check is scored
Each statement carries a weight. Pipes in outside walls and unheated spaces weigh the most, because they are where frozen pipes split most often. A low thermostat, an empty house and old uninsulated pipe add to the picture.
- Find the main shutoff before the first hard freeze and make sure it turns.
- Shut off outdoor spigots from inside and drain them.
- Seal drafts at the rim joist where pipes run along the basement wall.
If a pipe already split, see frozen pipe water damage for how the walls are opened and dried, or plan the cost with the cost calculator.
Pipe Freeze Risk Check for Howell, MI: common questions
Why do pipes freeze in Livingston County homes?
Overnight lows here stay below freezing for much of the winter. Pipes in outside walls, unheated garages, crawl spaces and empty seasonal homes lose heat fastest, and water expanding as it freezes splits the pipe.
When does a frozen pipe start leaking?
Often only when it thaws. The split stays plugged with ice, then water runs once the temperature rises, which is why leaks show up in the days after a cold snap.
What should I do if a pipe is frozen but not leaking?
Open the faucet, warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or space heater kept away from anything flammable, and never use an open flame. If a section is split, close the main before it thaws.
Is frozen pipe water damage covered by insurance?
Many policies treat a sudden burst as covered, but a claim can be denied if the home was left unheated. Coverage depends on your policy, so it is worth checking with your own insurer.
Other water damage planners
A pipe split in the cold?
Thawing pipes leak into walls, ceilings and basements. The restoration team opens, extracts and dries the wet cavities day and night.